TRADES AND LABOUR COUNCIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13523, 22 August 1907, Page 7

TRADES AND LABOUR COUNCIL.

The Auckland Trades and Labour Council met last night, Mr. W. H. Brookes presiding. Tariff: The Canterbury Trades and Labour Council forwarded a resolution urging the Government to stand firm in its tariff proposals as to increasing duty on boots and shoes, believing that this was the only way to chock the ever-increasing importation of boots and shoes into the colony. Tho matter was deferred until next meeting.

Cycleworkers: The Canterbury Council also wrote stating that there was need for organisation of the employees in the cycle trade. The chairman considered it was not part of the function of tho Council to go about forming' unions. It rested with the men themselves. His experience was that where there were no unions the wages wero small. Mr. A. Rossor (secretary) concurred. He had formed many unions, but had never agitated for the formation of any. Thero was a Cycleworkers' Union in Christchurch, whero there were 8000 to 10,000 cycles in use. He doubted whether seven journeymen cycleworkers could bo found in Auckland. At the same time, conditions in tho trade were very bad, and a union was needed here. He moved, "That, the Canterbury Council be informed that no disposition has been shown by the men engaged in the Auckland cycle trade to form a union on their own account, but that if they do so the Council is willing to help them." This was carried. Crematorium: The Auckland Cremation Society wrote asking the Council to receivo a deputation and hear an address by Dr. Purdy, health officer, on cremation. The co-operation of the public was sought in getting the City Council to erect a crematorium, as the Wellington City Council was about to do. It was agreed to receive the deoutation at next meeting. Sydney Strikers: The secretary reported that the sum of £10 9s had been received on behalf of the Sydney coal lumpers.