CONFERENCE OF TRAPES AND LABOUR COUNCILS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10423, 22 April 1897, Page 5

CONFERENCE OF TRAPES AND LABOUR COUNCILS.

[BY TELEGRAPH.— ASSOCIATION.] Ddnedin, Wednesday. The Trades and Labour Councils' Conference was continued to-day. It) was resolved, "That the Minister of Labour be again urgently requested to so amend the factories Act as to bring the hours of labour for females and boys to the samo footing as Clause 5 of the Act of 1892 ; also to strike out that part of Clause 55 of the new Act, which gives exemptions for five of the holidays in the year. By 8 to 4 it was decided that the Government bo respectfully asked to bring in a Bill to extend the municipal franchise to every adult householder who has been resident three mouths in a district; also to abolish the system of plural voting. After discussing the local Government Bill it was resolved, " That this conference while nob committing themselves to all the provisions of the local Government Bill, believe that there is great necessity for local Government reform, and strongly urge upon the Government to consider tho matter at an early period of the next session of Parliamont. and also that the various Trades Councils be asked to consider the Bill and forward their recommendation to the Government as speedily as possible." The following was carried unanimously after discussion, "That this conference deprecate the practice of the Government in still supporting non-union offices by advertising and having printing done in these offices to the detriment of union offices; also, that the conference once more ask the Government to support fair offices only." It was decided to ask the Government to place a sufficient sum on tho estimates to ensure the efficient administration of the Labour Department, It was statod that in Wellington the provisions of the Factory Act were simply ignored, sanitary conditions were not carried out, and women and children were working in placcs not fit for fowlhoußos. A motion was carried that the Government be requested to give preference in the matter of employment to trade unionists, in accordance with the orders given under the Conciliation and Arbitration Act. The conference approved of the principle of an old age pension scheme. > After discission, it was resolved That the Government be asked to introduce an amendment to the Corrupt Practices Act, making (1) individual canvassing by a candidate or any of his supportors, before or on the day of an election, illegal ; (2) touting on the day of an election, illegal; (3) to amend the Electoral Act, to prevent any impersonation or plural voting." It was resolved, " That this Conference learns with greatest pleasure that there is a prospect of Mr. Bon Tillett remaining in the colony, and trust the various Trades Councils will immediately take into consideration the question of retaining his services as an organiser throughout the colony," A motion was carried that a Bill should be passed to enable the Labour Department to collect reliable statistics gathered from yearly paysheets of employors.