TRADES AND LABOUR CONFERENCE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVI, Issue XLVI, 22 April 1911, Page 5

TRADES AND LABOUR CONFERENCE.

A SOCIAL GATHERING

CHRISTCHURCH, Friday

At-the social function held last night im cinnectio.ni with the Trade F.a.-.xl Labour Council's conference Mr E. Tregqar, the ex-Secretary of the Labour Department, was presented with an illuminated address, and on behalf of Mrs Tregcar witih a purse of sovereigns. In the course of his acknowledgment, Mr Treg-aar said some bitter attacks had been made en the Conciliation- and Arbitration Acts. He had been silent for 21 years —(laughter)—and now he- wanted to tell them his real position—until the workers wore actually and practically determined, to make an end to the competitive wage system, they would never lind a iprineiple so just and sane as th.-.'t of arbitration. That was his opinion twenty years- ago, ard that was his opinion still. The arbitration system -did not belong to the past, but to the future. . Mr Tregcar concluded his speech, amidi rousimg 'cheers, a.nd a renewal], of the demonstration which had preceded Iris address.

The conference concluded to-da.v. when the order paper was cleared. Amongst the remits agreed to were those- urging the Government to provide a. State ferry between the North and South Islands ; State-owned collieries; and the abolition of all private registry ofScos.

.-' The next conference will be held at Wellington.

The Canterbury Trades and Labour Council w'ais appointed as tlho executive for the year. (