WORK AND WAGES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXX, Issue 14972, 19 April 1909, Page 7

WORK AND WAGES.

NEW SOUTH WALES LABOUR COUNCIL. BROKEN HILL LOCK-OUT FUND. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. SYDNEY, April 17. The Labour Council negatived a motion favouring the withdrawal of its embargo upon unions in regard to registration under the Industrial Disputes Act. The Labour Congress decided to co-operate with tho Labour Council in an anti-immigration crusade. • A sum of £23,000 was received for tho Broken Hill lock-out fund, and over £26,000 was expended. TRADES AND LABOUR COUNCIL. Ari- ordinary meeting of the Canterbury Trades and Labour Council was held on Saturday, the president (Mr A. D. Hart) in tho chair. New delegates were received from tho General Labourers', Canterbury Drivers', Saw Mills and Coalyards' and Biscuit and Confectionery Unions. An application for affiliation' to the Council from the Canterbury Confectionery, Biscuit and Fruit-preserving Employees' Union war. granted. Tho Tailoring Trade Union wrote, thanking tho Council for tho effective manner in which tho deputation set up to explain to tho unions tiie difference botween "made-to-measure suits" and " tailor-made suits " had done its work, and stating that its efforts had already improved trade. Tho Drivers' Union wrote, giving some of tho reasons for tho Union's desire to secede from the Council, and suggesting that a committee should be set up by the Council as a commission to receive complaints and suggestions for improvement. It was resolved that a committee of five should be set up to givo effect to the suggestion, and Messrs Hunter, Young, Sullivan, Patterson and Lyness wore elected.

Tho Saw Mills and Coalyards' Union forwarded tho following resolution, asking that it should bo endorsed by tho Council and sent on to the Prime Minister and local members of Parliament:—"That the Government bo urged to pass legislation during tho coming session of Parliament preventing bakers in particular and other tradesmen from issuing coupons, as tho purchasers thereof havo no guarantee that the goods will bo forthcoming on presentation of the coupon." It was resolved that tho resolution should be endorsed.

The Canterbury Drivers' Union was given leave to the notice previously given of its intention to secede from tho Council. A letter was received' from the Brewers and Maltsters' Union, stating that it had donated £1 Is towards the child's cot fund.

It was decided to givo three guineas towards tho expenses of Labour candidates at tho municipal elections. The Hall Management Committee presented its quarterly report, stating that it was in a good financial position, and had during tho quarter redeemed shares to tho value of £35. The Biscuit and Confectionery Union reported that its conference with tho employers had been adjourned until July, in order to enable tho workers to form a federation to secure uniform conditions of labour throughout the dominion, and requested the Council to urge Trades Councils to form unions in tho industry at tho earliest possible moment. It was decided to take the step proposed by tho Union. The executive recommonded that the Council should ask for volunteers to assist the Saturday Half-holiday Association in canvassing electors. 'Die executive reported that it had set up a deputation to wait on firms to induce them to declare in favour of tho universal Saturday half-holiday, but from inquiries mado it was evident that tho leading establishments' in Christchurch had decided to remain neutral on tho question. The report was adopted. Accounts for £l3 Is were passed for payment.

CANTERBURY DRIVERS' UNION. An ordinary meeting of the Canterbury Drivers' Union was held in the Trades Hall' on Friday evening, the president in the chair. Thero were one hundred and fifty members present. Messrs A. D. Hart, James Young and H. R. Rusbridge waited upon the Union as a deputation from the Trades and Labour Council, and asked the Union to reconsider its decision to secede from tho Council. Tho members of the deputation were accorded a patient hearing, and after their withdrawal the matter was discussed very fully. It was resolved—- " That the Union decide to remain affiliated to the Council and that two more delegatos be appointed to represent the Union." Messrs E. J. Cooper and W. J. Baillie were elected delegatos. It was resolved that tho Union should support the Labour can-, didates at the municipal elections, and that tho sum of £3 3s should bo voted towards their expenses.