LABOUR PARLIAMENT

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 6176, 6 April 1907, Page 7

LABOUR PARLIAMENT

YKSTKKDAY’S SITTING. SUGCPSTEdTeGISLATIYF AAIENDAHCNTS. rncss ASSOCIATION. DUNEDIN. April .5At the Trades and Labour Conference to-day Mr D. McLaren {Wellington) moved—“(l) That the minimum of 7*2 cubic and 12 superficial feci- specified in the Shipping and Seamen’s Act, IDO3, be increased to 120 cubic feet and 15 superlieial feet respectively; (2) that such quarters occupied by seamen bo thoroughly cleaned and painted at least once a year, and be thoroughly ventilated and kept in a sanitary manner, and that adequate bathing facilities bp supplied.” This was carried. Mr H. W. Brooks (Auckland) moved—‘That. in any revision of the tariff the Government bo asked to increase the duty on (a) nil imported manufactured* stationery by an additional 15 per cent, (b) all basket and wicketwave by an additional 30 per cent, (c) all imported printed matter by at least 25 per cent.” The mover explained that the third clause was not intended to include books for libraries, etc., but for all kinds of office printing. ledgers, etc., which were imported in considerable quantities. Mr J. K. Johnson (Nelson) ijiovcd, as an amendment, “That the tariff bo revised this session, so au to give greater encouragement to all natural industries, and that, this conference instruct its executive to invite the various unions of the colony to forward suggestions with regard to the same, to use as evidence when required.” The amendment was carried by 14 votes to 5.

Mr D. McLaren (Wellington) then moved an amendment to take the place of that which had just been carried—“ That, in the opinion of this conference, the tariff be revised at the beginning of tho 100? session so as to give greater encouragement to all Now Zealand industries, but. so that tho local selling prices of commodities protected by any-increase in the tariff shall bo correspondingly decreased in proportion as the duty on such commodities is increased.” Several delegate* spoke to tho amendment, which was lost by G votes to V2. Mr W .11 Hampton (Wellington) moved to strike out tho word “unions'’ in Mr- Johnston’s motion, with a view to. inserting the word ‘‘councils/ 5 Mr Johnston then asked leave in alter his motion so that the executive should invite suggestions from the various unions through the local councils, and the motion, as , amended, was carried unanimously. Mr J. K. Johnston (Nelson) moved —“That this conference urgo- upon the Government the better administration of tho Workmen’s Wages Act, especially with regard to clause 3, as workers in tho back-blocks districts suffer great loss and inconvenience every year through the non-admiuis*. tratiou of tho same.'’—Carried. Mr J. A. McCullough (Canterbury) moved—“ That tho conference be .urged to consider the desirability of allowing unions which are affiliated to Trades Councils an opportunity of sending delegates to the Trades - Councils’ animal conference.” Messrs H. Betts (Westland), O’Byrnc (Southland), H. W. Brooks, and W. Peake (Auckland) opposed the motion. Mr W. H. Hampton, (Wellington) then moved tho previous question, which was carried. Mr J.- K. Johnston (Nelson)' moved, “That an age limitation be placed on all persons, after which they cannot bo apprenticed, tho suggestion limitation to be sixteen years, with apprentice’s Pobdity up till the age of twenty-one. 5 ' AY. H. Hampton (Wellington) moved to amend th v ages from sixteen to fourteen and twenty-one to twentyfive years.—The motion as amended waa carried. Mr 12. Gohns (Canterbury) moved, “That tho Government be urged to provide for a minimum wage for all workers, which shall not be less than Is per' hour, and no worker. to work longer time than eight hears per day without receiving at least time and a quarter per hour as overtime rate.” Mr J. K. Johnston (Nelson) opposed the motion, in accordance with instructions from his council, which objected, as ho himself did, to any rate of wages being fixed by the Legislature. At times tho cost of living varied, and they wanted the' right to fix the rate of wages accordingly. Tho motion was lost, the voting being -for 10, against 8. Sir AV, Peake (Auckland) put forward his motion, “That Government be asked to establish a State foundry in Auckland.” Mr Hampton (Wellington) moved an amendment, “That the Government bo asked to establish State ironworks and foundries in centres •sonveniont to the iron deposits of the volony/’ Mr Peake agreed to withdraw his motion, and Mr Hampton’s proposal was carried unanimously.

On the motion of Mr J. K. Johnston (Kelson) it was resolved, "That power bo given to municipal bodies to compel owners of all houses for residential purposes to provide a bathroom in the same.”

On Mr J. Thorne's (Canterbury) motion, it was resolved to urge the Government to substitute a schedule in the Deceased Persons’ Estates Duties Act Amendment Act by one providing for duties ranging from 3.1 per cent, on amounts between £IOO to £IOOO (tho first £IOO being exempt) to 20 per cent, on amounts of £20,000 or over (strangers in blood, except adopted children, to be charged 5 per cent, additional). On tho motion of Mr H. W. Brookes (Auckland) it was resolved, “That all imported printed matter shall bear an imprint.”

air H. Betts (Westland! moved in favour of amending tho AVorkers’ Compensation for Accidents Act by providing for compensation to be'paid lor all’time lest through injury, provided the incapacity of the worker is not less than one week. Mr Hampton moved as an amendment ’’That compensation be full wages from tho time of the accident to that of recovery.’’ The amendment was lost, and Air Hampton then moved as a further amendment “That the minimum payment be £2 per week, provided that

in cases of workers whose wages dC‘ n-)t nmou t to that sum, their compensation shall be the full wagos iocoivcd by them.”—This was carried. On the motion of Mr Botts it was resolved “That domestic servants should • bo brought within the scope of the Workers’ Compensation for Accident Act. The mover argued that servants were not sufficiently protected by the Employers’ Liability Act.” On the morion of Mr C. Crooks (Nel. soul it was resolved ‘ That provision bo maclo compelling an employer to pay the cost of taking an injured person to where ho ’can obtain medic;;) n: ;i stance, -and that the employer bo responsible for first medical aid in all cases of injuries.” It was resolved that union officio’.:, should ho empowered to conduct eases for recovery of compensation to workers under the provisions of the Act. Mr Betts moved in favour of securing that tho Workers’ Compensation for Accidents Act shall apply to dangerous trades or callings, ilo instanced quartz mining and match making or manufacture* as typical callings, and claimed that ‘‘miners’ complaint” and “phossy jaw” wore in reality injurious. The motion was carried without discussion. Air J, Jackson (Westland) moved; “That tho minimum rate of wages for minors bo iixed at Is 3d per hour tor all time that minors are employed underground; up to forty-six hours per week, and that all time a miner is employed over 4Q hours per week ho paid for at tho rate of Is lid per hour: and in relation to tho wharf labouring industry ordinary time Is Gd and overtime 2s per hour.” Mr H. Belts (Westland) seconded, pro forma, after which it was suggested to add a minimum wago of 12s a day for;coal miners. This drew forth a protest from tho Westland delegates. Tho opinion was exprossou that this minimum wago would influence the Arbitration Court in framing awards. It having been explained that tho Is an hour resolution referred to industries in which no awards have been made, it was finally 1 decided to withdraw tho resolution on the understanding that tho minimum wago of Is an hour is not to apply to miners or wharf labourers. Mr J. Foster (Westland) moved;— •That no companies be allowed to take their own insurance risks, and that medical examination of men be abolished. ” Mr J. Jackson (Westland) seconded. Ho found that when a company had its own policy it took steps to prevent employees from getting insur- a anca duo to thorn.. it was agreed to adopt Air Hamptons suggestion that this portion of the clause should be restricted to tho mining industry, and the motion as amended was carried unanimously.. It was resolved that xirisoucra should. be removed from centres of population, and the inmates generally employed in rcafforcstratiou and agricultural pursuits. and that those unable to engage in .such jiursuits should be engaged in manufacturing article;* required in connection with the prisons, and not for oiiblic sale. Air AlacLarcnAmoved hotels should bo doomed to bo shops within tho meaning of. the Shops' and Officer Act, and that tho provisions of the Acz relating to the half-holiday bo extended to club, Restaurant, hotel, and tearoom servants. It was agreed to recommend the abolition of lato closing night, and bring grocers, drapers, and other shop-assisE a Ms under the same horn's of labour ns other trades. * * Air McCulloch moved that the conference reaffirm its staunch adhoronco to. the principle ■of land nationalisation. The conference supported and en-‘ dorsed the progressive measures contained in Air McNnb’s Land Bill, and, in tho interests of workers, strongly urged an amendment of the limitation clause,, reducing tho limitation from £50,000 to £30,000 unimproved value, and of reserving to tho State the sole right of purchase of eexcess land at the owners present valuation for taxation purposes, plus IQ per cent., such jands so resumed to be .disposed of under tho rentable clause in the Bill., the period for revaluation for all lands to bo reduced from sixty-six to twenty-two years. _ It was resolved that tho Executive Council bo-in "Wellington, and that tho annual mooting’of the Federation bo held anmiallyj.n Wellington. WAGES AND COST OF LIVING. The .Conference,, resolved “That whereas all financial benefit accruing from labour legislation in the past has been nullified by the action of tho capitalist . class...in raising tho prices out of proportion.-to. tho increase in wages, and whereas the reason of This lies in the uncurbed power of capitalists.' this conference strongly urges the people of New Zealand to make a stand, and demand legislation that will initiate a system of producing the necessaries of life, : and of supplying them to the people at cost,” PRISON LABOUR.

A letter was received from Dr Mao* donald, of tho White Australia movement, sent to ascertain the feeling of tho conference with regard to the competition of prison labour in general on tfado articles. Tho conference unani- 1 mously resolved, , "That our prison? should bo removed from tbe centres of . population, and the inmates generally bS employed in reafforestation and agricultural pursuits, and that those unable to engage in such employment be restricted to the manufacture of articles required in connection with prisons.” FLAXMILL WORKERS. It was resolved that tho'fiaxmill and sawmill employees iintT* agricultural labourers be provided with similar accommodation to that provided for shearers.