FEDERATION OF LABOUR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15004, 28 May 1912, Page 5

FEDERATION OF LABOUR.

j ♦ • j N ALTERING CONSTITUTION. a NATIONAL union OF workers. [BT TELEGRAPH.—PRESS association.] Wellington. Monday. Tee 50 delegates composing the Federation of Labour Conference met in special session yesterday. Mr. P. C. Webb presided. Mr. R. Seraplo moved : " That the- Coraference take into immediate consideration the advisability of introducing certain machinery clauses that will have the effect of transforming the federation into a national industrial union of workers on the lines fcf the Industrial Workers of the World." Mr. Scrapie said the I.W.W. system of organisation was sound- The machinery clauses of tho federation could not now cope with the necessary work. A committee would be set up if the remit was approved and they would have to mould the I.W.W. structure to suit tho industrial conditions of New Zealand. Mr. Coppersmith (State mines delegate), in seconding the motion, said all recognised that the era of craft unionism had passed. Ho wished to mention that the time of the organiser was almost entirely taken up in settling factional disputes. Each industry must bo linked up. Mr. Fraser (Auckland) said that if they approached the matter with an open mind tuey could forge a weapon lor building up tho greatest organisation this country had over known. Mr. Hickey (West Coast) said, in view of the facility with which the employers could organise, ho believed the workers would perfect their own machinery. Mr. Webb (president) said it was little use calling themselves industrial unionists unless they adopted the motion. He was proud because the federation had compelled employers .to organise by its declarations and objective. They must never forget tliat their aim was to abolish tho capitalist system. After nearly all the delegates had spoken in favour of the motion, it was carried by acclamation, and a committee was set up for the purpose of remodelling the constitution and rules in harmony with the motion. REVOLUTIONARY UTTERANCES. [BY telegraph.— ASSOCIATION'.] Wellington-, Monday. Several members of tho Conference of the Federation of Labour addressed a meeting in the Opera House last evening. Mr. Webb (president of tho federation) said the Arbitration Court had failed to better materially the conditions of the working-class of this country. Workers of all trades must organise to one great federation, own industries, and manage them in their own interests. If they had brains to run the machinery. they had brains to own it. Mr. J. King (Auckland) said the workingman worked for nothing, boarded himself, and paid the master for the privilege of working. The time would come when they had a four hours' day. " Some day," he added, "we will blow the whistle for the boss to work." THE CONFERENCE. ADOPTION OF REMITS. [BT TELEGRAPH.PKESS association.] Wellington, Monday. The Federation of Labour Conference entered upon the fifth day of its deliberations to-day, Mr. P. C. Webb presiding. It was decided to refer all remits dealing j with constitution and rules to the commit- j tee set up to remodel the constitution. The following three remits from the Lyttolton Stevedores' Trade Union were adopted:—"That this Conference condemns the action of the Government in allowing an industrial union the right of a close corporation, tho said union being ' directly connected with the Railway De- * partment, and thereby debarring Jegiti- j mats workers from the right to a fair liv- J ing ; that the Minister for Marino bo i approached with a view of having the fol- ! ing clause inserted in the labour regula- ; tions: 'that it shall bo lawful for all vessels to carry a net the length and \ breadth of the hatch so as to prevent men falling below when putting on or removing hatches ;' that strong recommenda- ! tion be made to the Government with a view of having inspectors appointed for the purpose of inspecting all cargo a.nd gear aboard vessels engaged in the New Zealand 1 trade." It was resolved: "That the Coroners Act, 1908, and its amendments bo amended by providing that in the case of death by accident it shall be compulsory for the coroner to have the inquest taken by juries who have a practical knowledge ot the industry, in which the accident occuretL"