INTERNATIONAL LABOUR.

Northern Advocate, 4 June 1920, Page 4

INTERNATIONAL LABOUR.

THE GENOA GATHERING.

DOMINION ABSTENTION,

WELLINGTON, June 3

It is pointed out, in connection with the London cablegram stating that attention has been drawn to the abstention of New Zealand from representation at a conference summoned by the International Labour Office to discuss matters affecting the mercantile marine, that tho International Labour Office is constituted under the League of Nations, and it is to meet at Genoa on June 15. The cablegram mentions that New Zealand "has replied to certain investigatory questions which were circulated" and that the notice of tho conference '' describes the special position obtaining in New Zealand."

The general secretary of the New Zealand Seamen's Union (Mr W. T. Young) stated yesterday that it was admitted the working conditions of the New Zealand seamen were the best in the world. But the failure of the Dominion to be represented at the Genoa Conference was not the fault of the seamen, who were particularly interested. Mr Young stated that he had received advice of the conference in April. Mr P. Fraser had at once communicated with the Prime Minister, who had replied in tho second week of May that he lad just received advice of the conference, and that it was too late to send a New Zealand delegate. The Australian Government, remarked Mr Young, appeared to have had much earlier information of the conference. Mr Young aded that he had asked Mr Havelack Wilson to explain to the conference why New Zealand was not represented. He had not replied to the Investigatory questions issued by the labour Office, and the replies reported to have been received by the office must have come from the Government.