FRESH DEMANDS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 85, 10 April 1912, Page 2

FRESH DEMANDS.

THE DRIVERS* CONFERENCE. DOMINION AWARD SOUGHT.

The Drivers' Federation Conference, which ha« been sitting in Wellington during the week, concluded yesterday, Mr. J. Lyness presiding. Lengthy consideration was given to the revision of the rules, but it waa finally decided to refer the matter to each union, iv order that itc views might be ascertained Remits from Canterbury were adopted as follow :—: — "That the New Zealand Federation of Drivers' Unions take steps to obtain a Dominioti award, a preliminary conferouro to be sought with employers with that object, and failing agreement being arrived at. disputes be filed in each centre and the Court requested to hear all the evidence in 'all the centres, before making an award ; that before disputes are filed throughout the Dominion the federation approach the Government and request it to appoint as President of the Court a man with industrial and commercial knowledge, with a view to having disputes settled on the basis of equity and justice, aud not on legal technicalities ; that union secretaries be giyete power of entry to employers' premispa for the purpose of inspecting timo and wages books ; that all drivers of vehicles propelled by their own motive power be compelled to hold certificates of competency before being allowed to drive within borough or city limits ; that in all drivers' awards provisions be inserted compelling employers to so arrange their hours of work to allow , drivers a half-holiday from noon on one day in each week ; that the decisions of the conference be placed before the Government by the executive of the federation at the most opportune time." All delegates present who were able to attend were appointed to wait upon tho Minister of Labour with reference to th« resolution arrived at by the conference. RAILWAY WORK. Other decisions arrived at were aa follow :—: — All unions and branches affiliated bti requested to elect representatives oiv the conference with employers above roferred to. That all railway shede close at noon on Saturday for tho receipt or delivery of goods j and that the Railway Department provide assistance at the sheds to help carters having business there* That inspectors of factories be given more power uudev the Industrial Con ciliation and Arbitration Act with .regard to the procuring of information in prosecution of their enquiries into alleged breaches of awards, enabling them to make examination of any books necessary for [the purpose, and especially books relating to partnership agreements and the purchase of plants. It was pointed out during discussion that at the present time inspectors of factories have no power under tho Act to examine any books other than, those relating to wages and hours. HOURS AND WAGES. The proposed fresh demands (with existing conditions and wages in parentheses) adopted by the conference were as follow : — •Casual labour, Is 6d per hour (Is 3d per hour) and Is 9d overtime (la 6d) ; weekly wages, £k 14s and £2 18s (432 7s and £2 11b) ; workjug lioursj /<|7£,per week, tp incluae attendance.on horses (47£ hours, with attendance on horseys in addition). That all Drivers' Unions be instructed to prepare a list of employers for citation before the Arbitration Court if? anch a step should be decided upon. That the present arrangement of nine holidays per annum on full pay wad adhered to. - THE SHOPS ACT. That the Government be urged "to make tlw shop assistants' hours inclusive within fifty-two hours, as provided under the Shop* and Offices Act, as at the present time some shop assistants, who act ac carters as well/ have to put in one hour's time in addition to tho 'fifty-two hours under tho Act. That all classes of labour, including contractors, be compelled to observe one half-holiday in each week, with a view to the practical , extension of the Shops and Offices Act to those- assistants who drive and _do not come under the Act. 'It was pointed out that owing to competition of private carriers, who were out day and night, prevent employees working for other firms than their own getting their full half-holiday. Messrs. Hunter and Davies were appointed to wait upon the Minister of Labour with reference lo the half-holiday question; with 4 reference to contracting out of the provisions of an award; and ako lo urge that no partnership agreement shaJl^ be valid unless registered, "That the federation adopt a union badge" (Napier) was proposed,' but not adopted. "That Parliament be urged lo make provision for a universal half-holida.y,'" was agreed to. The resolutions of tho National Peace and Anti-Military Council of Clmatchurch, as presented to other eimilar conferences in Wellington (and already published in full), were adopted. Mr. Lyness was reappointed president, and Mr. H. Hunter was appointed /secretary of the conference, which wiD next sit at Christchurch.