TRADES COUNCILS CONFERENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12544, 11 April 1904, Page 6

TRADES COUNCILS CONFERENCE.

A FIGHTING PLATFORM.

[BT TELEGRAPH.— PRESS association.]

Chiustchttbch, Saturday. The Trades Councils' Conference to-day d©.. cided that it should be an instruction to th» executive council to draw up a soheme for the inauguration of the union label system in New Zealand.

It was resolved to urge that the Morgan method of mensuration should be introduced into the elementary schools.

It was decided to urge the Government to provide legislation compelling all persons or firms taking orders for tailoring to employ tailors or tailoresses, such work to be performed in workshops for the time being owned or occupied by the person or firm taking such orders. The object; is to prevent certain shops charging for tailor-made suits, and sending cloth to be made up slop fashion in factories. It was decided to urge the increase of old age pensions to 10s per week. It was resolved to urge the Government to pass the Shop Hours Bill, providing a uniform hour of closing and a compulsory Saturday half-holiday, all shops to shut at six o'clock on five days of the week and one o'clock on Saturday. It was decided to recommend Mr. Robert Slater to rhe unions for reappointment as the workers' representative on the Arbitration Court. Mr. W. Hood (Otago) was recommended as- deputy representative. A resolution was carried that the Government be urged to amend the Municipal Corporations Act, to provide for the payment of councillors for their services. It was decided that the next conference be held in Wellington. The following was recommended as the fighting platform of the conference:—(l) Legal tender of State notes; (2) abolition of the sale of Crown lands, and a periodical revaluation of all lands hold on lease; (3) local Government reform, to provide that the Parliamentary franchise shall extend to the elections of all local bodies, and that every elector shell have the right to vote on all financial questions submitted to a poll W Referendum Bill, with the initiative in the hands of the people; (5) compulsory preference to unionists; (6) abolition of the Upper House. On the motion of Mr. W. Hood (Otago). seconded by Mr. >J Barr (Canterbury), it was unanimously resolved, "That this conference make an urgent appeal to Parliament fo- a sum of £500 for each trades council to assist in securing a trades hall foi each centre."