WOOLLEN MILLS EMPLOYEES

Evening Star, Issue 20988, 30 December 1931, Page 6

WOOLLEN MILLS EMPLOYEES

THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE [Pee United Press Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, December 29. The annual conference of the New 1 Zealand Federated Woollen Mills Employees’ Union was held to-day. In a discussion on the annual report, the conference expressed the opinion that the recent cut in wages was not justified, and that, instead of increasing employment, it had had the opposite effect. Several alleged breaches of the Factories Act with reference to the reduction of wages fixed by statute were reported. It was decided to secure legal advice on this matter, and report to the Minister of Labour. The conference resolved to appeal to the Minister of Customs io place a high tariff on imported woollen goods with' the object of preventing any lines, which might be made in the dominion. from being imported. It was also de-i cided to request the Minister to make ; provision that all silk hosiery should contain 50 per cent, of wool. With reference to the proposal to amend the Arbitration Act, it was decided to protest to the Government against any alteration in the clause providing for compulsory arbitration on the ground that such alteration would kill the Act altogether, leaving to the workers as the only alternative thj strike*