WORK AND WAGES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIX, Issue 11555, 16 April 1898, Page 5

WORK AND WAGES.

THE LABOUR CONFERENCE. [Pbb Pbess Association.] WELLINGTON, Apkix. 15,

The Labour Conference this morning discussed the Eight Hours Bill drafted bythe committee. The Conference agreed that overtime should be time and a half, except on Sundays, when it should be-double. The opinion was expressed that the head of the Labour Department and Inspectors were ‘not receiving sufficient remuneration. It was resolved to urge the Government topush through the Labour Departmenfcßill introduced by the Hon W. P. Reeves. It was resolved that the Eight HoursJßill should be added to the list of Government unfulfilled promises, as was also the inten"tion to abolish the life tenure of Legislative Councillors. The referendum was also classified as an unfulfilled Ministerial promise. The Conference also carried a resolution strongly recommending an amendment of the Factories Act with regard to holidays. It was resolved that a Bill for the proper regulation of private Benefit Societies should be added to the list of urgent necessities. A motion by Mi’ Taylor, Christchurch, with regard to appointments to the Civil Service, was lost.

There was a discussion on the present position of Labour members in the House, and the advisableness of forming an independent Labour Party. Mr Yaney moved —“That the time has arrived when the Labour Party in Parliament should assert its independence in all things concerning: labour, and not let considerations of party be the means of preventing their just claims being conceded.” He and other members contrasted the number of measures for the good of the workers passed, by Mr Eeeves when Labour Minister and the little that had been done since he went Homo. Exception was also taken to the interference of the Ministry in the selection of candidates, and the tact of members who showed any independence being forced into the Left Wing. On the other hand, the President and one--qr two speakers deprecated anything whicE-would cause a split in the Liberal Party, and urged that after all what measures they had got were due to that side of the House. Mr Peeves could not have carried his measures without the support of the Government. Mr Yaney, in replying, suggested that the salaries of Ministers should be increased, to make it impossible for them to hold positions on syndicates. The motion was carried.