TRADES AND LABOUR COUNCIL.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1201, 8 March 1895, Page 34

TRADES AND LABOUR COUNCIL.

The Trades and Labour Council met last week, Mr Allan Ward, president, in the chair. A letter was received from the Labour Department enclosing- a copy of the evidence given on the Masters and Apprentices Bill before the Labour Bills Committee, with a copy of the Bill itself, and asking for suggestions. The letter stated that the Minister intended to alter the Bill so that the term of probation for apprentices would be three months instead of one month, and that the amounts deducted from the salai'ies of apprentices, if lodged in the bank, shall not entail any expense of clerical labour on the master. The consideration of the question was adjourned until- all the other Labour Bills are received. Mr J. F. Mercier, travelling organiser of the New Zealand Workers* Union, was present by invitation, and addressed the Council, explaining the objects of the Union, and asking for the Council’s assistance in forming a branch in Wellington. He pointed out that their Union had far greater advantages in New Zealand than existed in the other colonies so far as labour legislation was concerned. It was resolved That this Council use its best endeavours to assist the Union in forming a branch in Wellington.” The following officers were elected for the ensuing year:—President, Mr Allan Ward; vice-president, Mr W. Miles ; secretary, Mr H. C. Jones; treasurer, Mr C. Smith} trustees, Messrs Shelton and A. Osborne; committee of management, Messrs P. Brown, T. Hall and J. Shaw. The motion, of which notice had been given, in favour of asking the Government to proclaim certain districts bush burning districts, was adjourned till next meeting.