EMPLOYERS IN CONFERENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13875, 8 October 1908, Page 6

EMPLOYERS IN CONFERENCE.

A POWERFUL FEDERATION. HALF-HOLIDAY QUESTION. [BY TELEGRAPH.—-PRKSS association.] Wellington, Wednesday. Titb sixth annual meeting of the New Zealand Employers' Federation was opened today, Mr. H. Inniss (president of the federation) occupying the chair. The report opened with an expression of pleasure by the general executive at being able to say that the combination and organisation of employers represented by the federation was to-day the largest and most powerful that the Dominion had ever seen. On a low estimate, it represented an individual membership of over 6000 firms and persons. In a criticism on legislation, the report states that the amendment of the Shops and Offices Act in providing for a poll, of the electors to determine the day of the weekly half-holiday was a particularly dangerous provision. The report directed attention to the extremely socialistic nature of the discussion that took place, and the proposals adopted, at the Trades and Labour Conference in Wellington this year, especially the principle of "limiting the output" recommended by several speakers. The idea prevalent amongst unionists that it was their duty to do no more work than they were compelled to do was so apparent in connection with many of our industries that it had become incumbent upon employers wherever such was noticeable to take strong measures to combat the "canny" policy now advocated by the labour leaders. The report commented upon the decision of the special conciliation board given in the Auckland tramways dispute, and said that the lesson to be learned from it was that employers should insist, when their interests were at stake, that the proper legal course should be followed. The election of officers resulted as follows: President, Mr. W. G. Foster (Wellington Export Company); vice-president, the Hon. C. M. Luke, M.L.C.; treasurer, Mr. R. A. Scott (Wairarapa Farmers' Association) ; trustee, Mr. W. H. Bennett (president of the Wellington Builders' Association) ; auditor, Mr. W. C. Stephens; Parliamentary Committee, Messrs. James Allen, M.P., J. Godber, J. Beveridge, H. Sea.ton, C. M. Banks, G. 11. Chapman, and F. Marley. The following resolutions were carried: — " Owing to the aggressive attitude of the Labour party 8 this meeting is of opinion that the time has arrived for federating all individual .trades, so that, in the event of a strike taking place, it might be dealtwith by the general body, in place of by individuals, as has been the custom in the past.'' ; "That it be a recommendation to employers in all industries where a number of awards operate that the provisions con tained in clause 24 of the Conciliation &i;d i Arbitration Act' be taken advantage of, with a' view to getting unanimity, of awards in related trades..'* , , (