OUTSIDE ITS SCOPE?

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12459, 29 May 1926, Page 5

OUTSIDE ITS SCOPE?

GENEVA LABOUR CONFERENCE INSPECTION OF~EMIGRANTS. Reuter’s Telegram. GENEVA, May 27. The International Labour Conference defeated, by 77 votes to 23, a resolution proposed by the British employers’ delegate on behalf ot the employers challenging the competence of the conference in the matter of emigration inspection. The Australian Pi-ess Association’s representative at the International Labour Conference reports that at tho meeting of employees' representatives, Mr J. Beasley (Australia) vigorously protested against the hurried, confused nature of the proceedings. He also objected to tha principle of appointing the same workers’ delegates to committees’ year after year. He said that newcomers should be considered. Overseas delegates were being overlooked, and this was bound to create a bad impression in Labour circles.

The employers’ group did not merely submit that the resolution as to migration was not within the competence of the Labour organisation, but they announced that they would abstain from discussion on the matter, either in committee or in conference.

A long debate ensued, the conference eventually voting that the question remain on the agenda. Many Government delegates believe the question ultra vires, but are unable to take action as the question of competence was not raised when the Governments replied to the questionnaire.