TRADES AND LABOUR COUNCIL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIV, Issue 13890, 26 October 1905, Page 4

TRADES AND LABOUR COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting of the Cant© I !'* bury Trades and Labour Council was held on Saturday, _ Mr J. Barr (president) in the chair. New delegates wore received from the General Labourers’ and Gardeners’ Unions. The Wellington Council wrote in reference to the proposed Parliament of Labour, suggesting that the workers should have representation equal to the combined representatives of the Employers’ and Farmers’ Unions. The Education Board wrote asking the Council to elect a manager of the Technical Classes, and informing the Council that the representation would be as follows: —City Council 6, Education Board 2, Canterbury Employ ere’ Association 1, Selwyn. County Council 1, Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association 1, Chamber of Commerce 1, Industrial Association 1, Trades and Labour Council 1, School Committees’ Association 1. It was resolved to elect the Trade Council’s delegate' at next meeting. The secretary of the International Exhibition Committee wrote, stating .that the executive would carry out the wishes of the Council in regard, to a clause being inserted in the contracts allowing for the employees to he paid according to the awards and industrial agreements ruling in the district. The Wellington Council wrote, asking the Christchurch Council to support it in advocating a change in the date of Labour Day to the second Wednesday in February. It was decided not to ask for the change. The Minister of Railways wrote in reference to the protest entered by the Council in regard to Messrs Price and Sons having plana before any other firms, and stating that it was usual to let the plana out before tenders were called; also, that the railway workshops would Le able to cope , with the demands in future, as they had obtained more up-to-date machinery. On the recommendation of the executive, it was decided to support the Napier Council in its endeavour to urge the Government to alter ; the Arbitration Act, to provide that an advertisement should be sufficient notice in citing the employers before the Court. Mr Barr reported on matters connected with the proposed Parliament of Labour, stating that he had forwarded the following items to be inserted in. the agenda paper(l) Statutory preference to Unionists; (2) Co-operative Encourage* ment Bill; (3) Is the tariff on protected goods helping our industries?,(4) Would a reduction of Vagcs of the workers tend to help the manufacturing industries?. (6) That in the event of the Government putting a protection tariff on goods that, can be manufactured in the colony, would the employers support a Bill giving the Government power to fix the profits, go as not to exceed a certain percentage, the Government to appoint officers to examine the , books at anytime? The action of Mr Barr wae approved by the Council. The Lyttelton Casual Wharf Labourers* Union wrote stating that the Lyttelton railway permanent labouring staff was being increased bo greatly that it was likely to seriously affect the members of the Wharf Labourers’ Union. The secretary was instructed to reply that the Council was in sympathy with the,Union, He was also asked to communicate with the local members of Parliament and with Sir Joseph Ward, Minister of Railways. -