EMPLOYERS' ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13305, 11 October 1906, Page 6

EMPLOYERS' ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE.

THE LABOUR LAWS. ■' "»- -.'.- P ' .' v -.: ,: : PROPOSED ABOLITION OF CONCILIATION , BOARDS. .' [ [BY TELEGRAPH. —rKESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington-, Wednesday. The conference of the Employers' Association opened here this morning. Repr'asentatives, of various parts of the colony' ". were present. The proceedings were not* •"'"' open to the press. The annual report gave an exhaustive resume of the work of the association during the past year. With . reference -to preference for unionists, the . report stated that this was a most dangerous demand, and should be opposed at any cost. The necessity of appointing an organising secretary was urged, and reference was made to Mr Tregear's now fain. 'v ous letter, opinion being expressed that the ,i socialistic views of the writi- could not be lightly passed over. "A protest had been made, and it remained fa? the conference to decide if further .action was d*sirable. Regarding the Conciliation and . ■ Arbitration Act, the time had come when, the Court had to cry halt to the demands of the workers, and dissatisfaction had i arisen * amongst trades unionists. Pro. posals had been made to amend the Act. but -whatever happened the employers must see that the amendments did not grant an additional preference to unionists. . j Resolutions .; were' passed, protesting i against preference to employment being : 1 given to unionists, arid in » favour of the I employment of improvers when provision is made in an award for the engagement of ;1 apprentices. ~ ' i \1 ' It was decided that as the Conciliation Boards had not in the' past been of ad- ,-"-',"} vantage to either the employees or the employers, future disputes should, if conferences failed ,to bring about a 'settlement, be carried direct to the Arbitration Court.' The Government is to be asked to insert a new clause in the Conciliation and Arbitration Act, 'providing that reference to " the Board or Court shall riot be made by any union, unless it has the concurrence of a majority of the workers engaged in the particular industry within the indus- ' trial district. f " Mr. W. Pryor was appointed * organising secretary to the federation. I V if