WORK AND WAGES.

Evening Star, Issue 8554, 29 June 1891, Page 2

WORK AND WAGES.

The Royal Commission on Labor is engaged taking the evidence of textile operatives. Circulars have been issued by the secretary of the Government Labor Bureau to secretaries of trades unions, postmasters, constables, and others inviting them to fill up a schedule prepared giving the number of unemployed fit to perform manual labor and being in need of work. A deputation from the Seamen’s Union attended Saturday’s sitting of the Labor Conference with reference to the benefit scheme proposed by the Union Steam Ship Company, After considerable discussion, the following resolution was passed:— “That this Conference thoroughly sympathise with the seamen’s delegation in reference to the iniquitous benefit scheme proposed by the Union Steam Ship Company, and that the labor members in Parliament and the Government be urged to prevent the adoption of such a scheme if possible.” THE LABOR CONFERENCE. WELLINGTON, June 29. The Labor Conference held their final sittings this morning. The last measure taken into consideration was the Slaughterhouse Amendment Bill proposed by the Auckland Trades and Labor Council. All the Bills were highly approved, and only recommendations .of a minor character will be made to the Government. The Conference discussed the New . Zealand labor federation scheme, which includes direct benefits to members among its provisions, and it was decided to approach the Government on the subject. The deplorable state of the workers engaged in various avocations in town and country districts was alluded to by the delegates, and it was decided to bring the matter under the notice of the Ministry. The resolutions passed at thaConference will be conveyed to the Premier in writing. Before separating the Employers' Con ference had a discussion on the financial proposals of the Government, with the result that a resolution was passed condemning the overwhelming impost of a shilling of income tax, and. objecting to any difference being made between incomes. No objection was taken to the inoome tax per se, but the feeling of the meeting was that traders had now got used to the Property Tax, and would prefer to see it left, alone.' The Government will be acquainted by letter with the resolutions of the Conference.