THE NEW ZEALAND BOOTMAKERS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLV, Issue XLV, 31 December 1910, Page 5

THE NEW ZEALAND BOOTMAKERS.

* CONFERENCE AT DUNEDIN.

DUNEDIN, Friday

Th conference of delegates of the Federated Bootmakers' Union to-day passed the following resolutions :

That this conference urges upon the Government the advisability of again introducing legislation early next session providing for the branding of goods made in New Zealand with the words "made in New Zealand," and also the manufacturer's name.

That this conference is of opinio,l that tile time is ripe for the Federation to start a co-operative boot factory, and that a committee of five bo set up to draft a scheme for the purpose of bringing the proposal into operation. That the drafting of a, quantity statement be considered by the conference.

A committee of five was appointed to draft a scheme dealing with the lai-c-ex matter, to report subsequently to the conference. A: long discussion took place en the- motion, delegate after delegate quoting cases of employers forcing workers to do more work with corresponding increases in remuneration. Instances were given ana statements produced showing that th" system worked in England satisfactory both, to employer and employee. At the present 'time., although tii-r employees worked on a weekly wage, the employers fixed the price paid for the operation they were engaged upon, so that the wages could be computed : and that being so the employees claimed a voice in saying what rate shall be paid for the purpose of computing their weekly wage. It was contended that the practice of speeding urwas increasing, and the conference was of opinion that something must be clo:iv to protect employees. Considerable feeling was shown over the matter. The conference completed amendmentsto -loeit and federation rules, and also drafting of amendments to the female ■workers' award.