LABOUR CONGRESS

New Zealand Times, Volume XL, Issue 9091, 9 July 1915, Page 3

LABOUR CONGRESS

YESTERDAY’S SESSION CONSIDERATION’ OF VARIOUS remits. The Labour Congress continued its deliberations yesterday. The official report shows that tho following remits and motions were carried during tho morning: “That tho congress discuss the matter of the refusal by Judge Stringer to give preference to those onions which went on strike.’ Auckland Painters’ Union.

“That this conference offers Its emphatic protest against the action of the various new arbitration unions m closing their books against legitimate workers o£ good character, thus nullifying the main principle of the Arbitration Act; and that this conference is of the opinion that the action or those' bodies is supported by tho Government, denying hundreds of honest workers tho right to live.”—Auckland General Labourers’ Union. “That tho Government bo urged to amend tho Factory Act so as to provide that the hours of labour in all bakers’ and pastrycooks’ establishments shall not exceed 44 per week in th© case of factories where machinery is used, and 45 hours per week in factories where no machinery is used; such hours to bo worked between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. on live days of the week, and between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturdays. When two consecutive holidays occur in any week, the hours may be worked between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m., provided always that it shall be unlawful for an employer to require his employees to commence work at an earlier hour than that hereinbefore prescribed for tho several occasions mentioned. Any employer found guilty of a breach of this provision shall bo liable to a fine of £lO for oach offence.”—Wellington Operative Rakers and Pastrycooks’ Union. “That this congress of Labour delegates enters its emphatic protest against tho continued and increasing exploitation of the people of New Zealand by those controlling foodstuffs ; that such exploitation is' more /dangerous >and inexcusable at this time of national crisis, when our people are menaced by the enemy outside our gates; that any Government with the smallest pretensions to statesmanship would have secured to the people a regular and moderate-priced supply ’of the necessaries of life produced in our country, that the inactivity and. incompetence of the Government to protect our people against the exploiter within our gates merits the severest censure; and that this congress affirms its conviction that the people’s interests will only be protected and safeguarded by the elimination of the exploiter and his political representatives when Labour is fully organised industrially and placed in political power ” REORGANISATION SCHEME.

At the afternoon session a scheme for organising the unorganised and organised workers was brought down by a sub-committee set up for the purpose, and the scheme was carried unanimously by the members present, representing 63 unions. The scheme will not disturb the entity of the existing unions, but it will be a scientific means of consolidating the ranks of Labour throughout New Zealand. It was decided that the scheme bo referred to the United Federation of Labour for their consideration and also, that a deputation from , unaffiliated unions be set up to wait upon them with a view of bringing", about complete unity on the lines laid down .by the scheme, and all delegates' present pledged themselves to use their best efforts within their unions and districts'to give effect to the decision of congress. SIX-HOUR DAY. A motion was put forward lor a six hour day for men working in the Otira tunnel and also to bring them under the Mining Act. The mover described the conditions worked by men engaged in this' class of work, stating that he often came out thoroughly drenched and considerably affected by the fumes caused by the use of dynamite.—The resolution was carried Unanimously, and a deputation was set up to wait upon the Minister for Public Works. It was decided unanimously‘ ‘That a Royal Commission be set up to inquire into the irregularities in connection with the registration of women under the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act by the Labour Department.” A resolution to hold the annual congress at Easter instead of in July was negatived by majority vote.