LABOUR IN CONFERENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14566, 31 December 1910, Page 8

LABOUR IN CONFERENCE.

SOME WANTS OF THE WORKER.

[BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION - .]

Wellington, Friday. As a result of the annual conference of the General Labourers' Unions a request will be made for the minimum rate of pay to bo Is 3d per hour all round irrespective of the work undertaken, whether it be drainlaying, quarrying, savvying, etc. The union desires to be quite free from ruay labour classifications and will endeavour to extend its operations to all branches of employment. Where labourers are engaged and where no award is in operation a request will be made for a 44-hour week, eight hours on each day except Saturday, when four hours should be worked.

The Conference authorised the spending of £5 by each branch in the furtherance of the interests of candidates at the coming municipal elections who will be prepared to support improved conditions for labourers employed by local bodies.

The Minister for Public Works is to be requested to have amendments made to the Stone Quarries Act in the direction of protecting the men engaged on such dangerous works as deep drain-laying, tunneling and clay-cutting.

Recommendation is to be made to the Trade Councils' Conference to endeavour to get Labour Bay universally observed on the second Monday in. November.

The next conference will be held at Napier at the end of 1911.