TRADES COUNCILS' CONFERENCE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 88, 13 April 1912, Page 6

TRADES COUNCILS' CONFERENCE.

CONCLUDED TO-DAY.

Tlie conference of delegates representing the Trades Councils of New Zealand concluded to-day. • ,' Several resolutions passed in former years were reaffirmed. These included an eight hours day, tho abolition of capital punishment, strict supervision of all. gear ueed in working cargo on ships, maximum capacity "of all bags used lor produce, etc., to be 2061b5, an export duty of 3d per lb on all hides, skine, and greasy wool leaving the colony without being manufactured or scoured, and increased power for scaffolding inspectors (such as the tight to condemn unsuitable or dangerous material). SYSTEM OF TAXATION. Before the conference rose yesterday a, deputation from the New Zealand Land Values League was received. Mr. P. J. O'Regan said that the league stood for the socialisation of land by taxation. He urged that the imposition of local taxation on the unimproved value should be made mandatory. He also condemned the proposal in the Speech from the Throne last session, in which it was proposed to raise the exemption for the purposes of land tax from £500 to £1000. This would, he said, practically mean the abolition of the land tax. As the graduated land tax fulfilled its purpose, landowners would in time all come within the £1000 exemption. The proposition was one which would be a message of gladness to every squatter in the country. Mr. Arthur Withy also spoke. At to-day's sitting, Mr. W. Naoghton (Wellington) moved— "That the conference endorse the principle of making rating on unimproved land' values compulsory, and enters a protest against the proposed increase in the land tax exemption from £500 to £1000." Mr. Sullivan said the conference should make it clear that this was not aimed at the smaller farmer, but that it was a, system which would be highly beneficial to him. The motion was carried on the voices. Otago Council was appointed an executive for the purpose of winding up the affairs of the federation (which has now become merged in the United. Labour Party). ' Votes of thanks were , passed to all these who assisted to make the delegates' stay in Wellington pleasant, to the Press, and to the president of the conference (the Hon. J. T. Paul). In reply, Mr. Paul caid this would bo the last Trades and Labour Cooncils* Conference, and he sincerely hoped that the new organisation would be of great service to the cause of Labour. It has been decided by Cabinet that the Hon. T. Mackenzie (Prime Minister) shall occupy the Ministerial residen-ein Molesworth-street, the Hon. A. M. Myers will live at Awarua House, shortly to be vacated by Sir Joseph "Ward, and the Hon. G. Laurenson will live at the Tesidence, Tinakori-road, formerly occupied i>y th© Hon. J. A. Millar. A deputation from the Shearers' Union waited on the Hon. G. Laurenson, Minister for Labour, yesterday afternoon, and asked that provision be made by legislation, if necessary, so that all workers in the pastoral industry may be embraced by the union. The Minister said he would be very glad to 1 look into the matter. An inspection of the bridges over the stream at Newlands, near Johnsonville, will be made next Wednesday by the Makara County Council in connection with a scheme to divert the stream and i do away with the necessity for having I bridges there. ' j Alderman Hartley speakß to-morrow evening at King's Theatre on "Socialism and tho Churches." Messrs. Thompson Bros., Ltd., will sell by publio auction at their rooms, Blairi street, on Monday, at 11 a.m., a quantity of unclaimed goods. v Mr. H. N. M'Leod will address tho electors of Miramsr on Thuraday evening next. At the Baptist Church, on Sunday morning, the Rev. J. J. North will commence the second series of his addresses on "The Radical Beliefs of Christian Men. The subject on Sunday is "Tho Incarnation." A public meeting will be held at the Post Office Square to-morrow afternoon to protest against boys being sent to prison for failing to pay, fines imposed under tho Defence Act. The speakers will include Messrs. P. H. Hiokey, F. M'Cullough, G. j Farland, and R. -S. Ross. ] Britannia Lodge of Oddfellows -will meet on Monday, at 7.30 p.m. It has been arranged between the partners that Mr. D. Brand's interest in the urm of Messrs. Brand and Johnston, auctioneers, shall bo purchased by Sir. Eric Johnston. The formal announcement in connection appears in our advertising columns. Members of Jupp's Band are requested ' Lo meet on Monday night. Harvest thanksgiving services will bo "held at St. Thomas's Church, ICewtown, : to-morrow. Special music will be rendered at the Central Mission service in the New Theatre to-mom>w evening. The Wellington City Men's Brotherhood will reopen for the new session on I Sunday week, 21st ApriL The proceeds from the opening meetirlg will be devoted to the fund of relieving the present distress in England.