TRADES COUNCILS’ CONFERENCE.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 3410, 18 April 1898, Page 4

TRADES COUNCILS’ CONFERENCE.

The Conference resumed at 9 o’clock on Saturday morning. On the motion of Mr Davie, it was resolved, “ That casual hands employed by the Government be paid the Union rate of wages recognised in the district where such casual hands are employed.”

On the motion of Mr Pawous, an item re the Undesirable Immigrants Bill was struck oil the order paper. The committee appointed for the purpose brought up a report on the federation of labour throughout New Zealand. The report was in the shape of a proposed constitution for the New Zealand federation of labour, which should consist of labour unions consolidated for mutual assistance and the futherance of the cause of labour generally. The objects as set out were: — To improve the condition and protect the interests of all classes of labour throughout New Zealand; to discuss, consider and put in force when approved any scheme for the better guidance and extension of New Zealand labour organisations; to prevent, if possible, "by conference or otherwise, any threatened dispute between members of the federation and

their employers, and to endeavour by conciliatory measures to' uphold the rules of any federated body, failing which to provide ways and means to bring the matter in dispute before the Conciliation Board and Arbitration Court; to secure the direct representation of labour in Parliament, and promote such legislative reforms as will ensure social justice to New Zealand workers. The report proposed that the executive officers should consist of a president, secretary and treasurer elected annually from members of the Council by the annual Trades Councils’ Conference.

The report was referred to the various Trades Councils for their consideration. It was decided that the next Conference be held in Christchurch next Easter, and a recommendation was made to the various Trades and Labour Councils to consider the advisableness of holding the annual Conference in Christchurch and ■Wellington respectively. The Conference decided thkt the minutes be printed, together with the Wellington newspapers’ reports of the proceedings. It was resolved that the Wellington Council be the executive of the Conference, and that the various councils forward their items for the order paper two months prior to the next Conference to the Canterbury Trades and Labour Council, who shall compile the order paper and forward it to the councils one month before the Conference.

Votes of thanks were passed to the Technical School authorities, the Government Printer, the committee of the Working Men’s Club, the Hon J. Bigg, M.L.C., Mr J. Hutcheson, M.H.8., and the Wellington Trades and Labour Council for services rendered during the Conference. In proposing a vote of thanks to the press, Mr Fawcus referred to the liberal manner in which the Wellington newspapers had reported the proceedings of the Conference. They were very much indebted to the press, who had not only reported the proceedings at length, but had given them two leaders and a subleader—an honour that had not been conferred on them by the press.anywhere else in New Zealand at their previous Conferences. The vote of thanks was carried by acclamation.

A hearty vote of thanks was also passed to the president (Mr W. Naughton) for the manner in which he had carried out his duties as chairman.

Mr Naughton, in replying, said the Conference had been blamed for not accepting the offer of the Wellington Provincial Industrial Association. It was a matter of time, and their first duty was to consider the business placed before them by the Trades Councils. That business was very lengthy, and the suggested conference might have taken up two or three days, and it could not be expected they would be able to afford that time. The proceedings concluded with a vote of thanks to the secretary (Mr E. E. Vaney), to whom a presentation is to be made. CYCLE HEADQUARTERS. We keep everything in stock that a cyclist requires; We have all sizes of chains, and we can supply duplicate parts for nearly every kind of machine. If it is only a nut you require we will see that it is one that fits. Wo also have the moat comfortable and durable saddles made. The smaller requisites also receive our careful attention. Our lamps burn well, give a grand light and are not easily blown out. Our bells are neat and have a loud ring. They can be easily fired to any machine; the felt inside the clasp prevents the handle-bar from being scratched. Our Veeder cyclometers are small, but accurate ; they register from a fraction of a mile up to one thousand and ten thousand miles, and repeat without being touched, provided, of course, these distances are ridden. Every kind of other useful accessory sold by us has received a thorough test. Persons out of Wellington may receive these on approval on receipt of price and postage of any article. Money will be returned if not found satisfactory on rsoeipt. Please call or write if there is anything you require in the way of cycle accessories or repairs. We guarantee promptness and satisfaction. The Austral Cycle Agency, Limited, 61, Lamb ton quay, Wellington. 94