TRADES COUNCIL CONFERENCE.

Mataura Ensign, Volume 17, Issue 17, 19 April 1895, Page 4

TRADES COUNCIL CONFERENCE.

Christchurch, April 15. The Trades Council Conference resumed this morning. Mr Slater moved : — " That the conference approves of the principle of the extension of the municipal franchise to all householders and the abolition of plural voting, and that Government be requested to bring in a bill to that effect." Mr Judge seconded the motion. Mr Ward moved as an amendment : " That the municipal franchise should be extended so as to place all on an equality with the political franchise, arid that municipal elections be held triennially, all councillors retiring together." Mr M'Creath seconded the amendment. The motion was carried. On the motion of Mr Joaes, seconded by Mr Orawley, it was resolved — " That the Government be requested not to subsidise mail contractors carrying coolie and coloured labour on their mail boats." The Hon. W. P. Reeves, at the request of the conference, gave an address on labour legislation. The conference then went into committee to discuss certain questions with Mr Reeves. Christchurch, April 16. The Trades Conference resumed their sittings to-day. The Chairman reported that the Minister for Labour had promised to consider the question of millers' hoars. Mr R. Slater was selected for recommendation to the affiliated unions as the trades representative on the Court of Arbitration. It was resolved to call the attention of the Government to the pernicious system of borrowing, and to urge on them the necessity for having certain work done in their own workshops ; to ask the Government to amend the j Shops and Shop Assistants Act this ! session by striking out some of the exemptioi clauses. The conference rejected a motion that Saturday is the most suitable day for the half-holiday, which should commence at noon and apply to all businesses. The Conference approved of the oldage pension scheme. In answer to a letter from the Workers' Union, it was moved to recommeiid all unionists not to proceed to any of the Australian colonies in the event of trouble arising during the shearing season of 1895, but an amendment was carried referring the letter to the affiliated Trades and Labour Councils. The Socialistic and Democratic League of Dunedin wrote that arrangements were nearly completed for establishing a bona-fide labour organ for the colony. . It was resolved, oa the motion of Mr Judge : " That this Conference urge upon the Government to pay the same rate of wages to all women employed in the Government service as is paid to men ;" and a deputation, consisting of ■ the Auckland and Wellington delegates, was appointed to wait on the Premier in reference to the matter. { A motion by Mr Judge urging the j different Trades and Labour Councils j to abandon the federation scheme was j rejected. It was resolved to ask the j Trades Councils to reply within three j months whether they will or will not : accept the federation scheme. I