THE LABOUR CONFERENCE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXXII, Issue 86, 13 April 1898, Page 2

THE LABOUR CONFERENCE.

[ MOKE REFORMS DEMANDED^ [Unicod Press Association.] 1 . WELLINGTON, This Day. At the Trades arid Labour Conference the Masters and Apprentices, ,the Wages Protection, the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration, and the Workmen's Compensation for Accidents Bill, were reported with amendments.- The Eight Hours Bill, as submitted by the Government, was rejected with the exception of clauso 1, aad a Committee was appointed to draft a new bill. _The Conference resolved that in oases of accidents about wharves or shipping the inspectors nnder the Factories Act should be empowered to take evidence immediately to present to the Customs I Department in view of litigation. It was pointed out that in many instances those capable of giving important evidence had gone to. sea by the time snits were heard. It was further recommended that the * Factories Act be amended and bronght back to the conditions existing in 1881. With respect to overtime and holidays, it was decided that the Government be urged to include adult males under the Factories Ant, as at present the provisions included only females and children. It was resolved to nrge the amendment . of the Jurors Act so as to provide payment of lOs a day to jurors. It was also decided to recommend that the Government introduce legislation to secure trustworthy statistics with regard to labour and the rate of wages, such statistics to be obtained from the examination of employers' pay Bheets. the discussion it was stated that the statistics as at present published in the " Labour Journal " were misleading and unreliable. It was resolved that provision be made for enforcing the Supreme Conrt awards under the Conciliation Aot, and that any firm of employers starting bnsiness after the award is made by the Court be bound by such award. Further that any employer guilty of intimidation with a view m defeating the award be liable to imprisonment, and that any employe who connived at such aotion be also liable to imprisonment. ' This Day. The Conference has decided to recom. mend that in any award made by tbe Board of Coneiliatibn or Arbitration Court, Government employds in the trade ailected be governed by it*. In regard to the munioipal franchise, a resolution was moved that every householder of three months residence in a distriot receive the franohise. An. amendment wis moved that the basis be the same as for a Parliamentary election. The question was under disoußsion when the Conference adjourned until to-morrow. The delegates will be banqueted tonight by the local Union.