TRADES COUNCIL.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1199, 22 February 1895, Page 33

TRADES COUNCIL.

The usual weekly meeting of the Trades Council took place last week, Mr Allan Ward (president) in the chair. Mr W. Hutchison, M.H.R., wrote agreeing to address the members of the Council on the old age pension scheme on his return to Wellington. The Canterbury Trades and Labour Council notified that they would make the necessary preparations for the Trades Council Conference there next Easter, and that they had endorsed the resolution passed by the Wellington Council protesting against any treaty with Japan, and forwarded a copy of the resolution to the Premier. A deputation of contractors requested that a protest be made to the City Council against any further contracts —man, horse and dray—being let at 7s lOd per day, and asking the Council to use its influence with the City Council to have a clause inserted in such contracts that the wages paid to drivers be not less than 6s x>er day of eight hours. The deputation with reference to the boilermakers' grievances reported that the Premier had promised to have bridges constructed under the co-operative system if possible, and also to give the boilermakers preference in getting work through the Labour Bureau. A long discussion ensued on the report, and the statement made by the Premier as to future labour legislation was criticised, and eventually it ,vas resolved, " That this

Council observes with pleasure the stand taken by the Hon. W. P.'Beeves at the Christchurch meeting with reference to the question of further labour legislation next session ; that this resolution be forwarded to him, and that other trades councils be asked to endorse it." Regarding the employment of women in the Advances to Settlers Office, it was resolved to enquire whether they are receiving the same remuneration as men for the same class of work. With reference to the application of a number of watchmakers to the City Council regarding the half-holiday, the Council protested against the City Council allowing any interference with the half-holiday provided under the Factories Act by granting a Wednesday half-holiday to any particular trade. Further consideration of the rules under the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act was adjourned until the next meeting'.