EMPLOYERS’ FEDERATION

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1749, 13 September 1905, Page 55

EMPLOYERS’ FEDERATION

ANNUAL CONFERENCE. The annual conference of the New Zealand Employers’ Federation opened last Wednesday at the rooms of the Wellington Employers’ Association, Willis street. Mr W. Cable (president) presided, and the following delegates were present:— Auckland—Messrs D. Goldie (president), J. Miller,, and C. Grosvenor (secretary). Hawke’s Bay—Messrs D. A. Baxter (president) and P. Dinwiddie. Waira-rapa-—Messrs J. M. Coradine (president) and C. E. Daniell. Wellington—T. Ballinger (president), J. P. Luke, and A. Veitch. Canterbury—Messrs G. Anderson (president), J. A. Frostick, A. W. Beaven, J. M. 'Taylor, and H. Broadbead (secretary). Otago—Messrs J. C. Thomson (president), George Simpson, and E. F. Duthie. Wanganui—Mr G. Caiman. New Zealand Builders’ Federation —Messrs W. H. Bennett and W. L. Thompson.

The secretary (Mr H. Field) read the annual report and balance-sheet, which were unanimously adopted. The conference proceeded to consider the revision of the constitution.

The following resolutions were adopted'i—

-.“That, in the opinion of this Federation* 7 the old principle of the indenture of apprenticeship is now obsolete, and should be abolished. We strongly recommend the certificate system which lin. s been recently adopted by the Arbitration Court in cases where the limitation or regulation of the employment of young persons is insisted upon.” “That this Federation strongly affirms the principle of payment for services rendered. It does not object to the payment of overtime, but where overtime prevails wages should be determined by the number of hours actually worked; that, subject to the provisions of the Factories Act,, we insist jihat it is unfair that cruployers should have to pay for holidays when no valttie) is rendered.” -'i the policy of preference to unionists, being contrary to the individual right of the citizen, and it having been declared to be ultra vires by the highest authority in the "Commonwealth, this Federation agree® to con-

test this demand on every possible occasion.”

“That the employment of the young people of the colony in the various trades or occupations calling for such employment should not in any way he restricted, unless it can be shown to the satisfaction of the Arbitration Court that such employment would be detrimental to the individual so employed.” The conference adjourned at 5 p.m. until 10 a.m. next day. -The New Zealand Employers’ Federation Conference resumed its sitting last Thursday morning. Mr W. Cable, president, was in the chair. The constitution, as amended, was adopted. . It was remitted to the executive to consider the question of taking steps to have all “odd” public holidays on Mondays. It was resolved that the members of the conference wait upon the Premier with reference to accident insurance, holidays, cancellation of registration of unions, proposed amendments to Coalmines Acts, and foreign trusts. The following officers were elected:— President, Mr J. C. Thomson, Dunedin; vice-president, Mr D. Goldie. Auckland; treasurer, Mr E. F. Duthie, Dunedin; secretary. Mr W. Scott; Dunedin ; trustee, Mr W. L. Simpson. Dunedin ; auditor, Mr Peter Barr, Dunedin; Federation Parliamentary Committee, Messrs R. Hannah, W. H. Bennet, J. Allen, M.H.R., T. Ballinger, C. Cathie, F. C. Crease, J. P. Luke, A. Veitch, and W. Cable, Wellington,

It was left to the executive to decide as to the centre at which the next annual meeting should be held. On the motion of Mr Anderson, Christchurch, a hearty vote of thanks was passed to the Federation executive for the able manner in which it had performed its Parliamentary and other work during the past year. Hearty votes of thanks were also passed to Mr H. Field for his services as secretary, regret being expressed at his present illness, and to Mr Catle for his conduct (as chairman) of the conference.