TRADES AND LAROUR CONFERENCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2355, 13 April 1899, Page 19

TRADES AND LAROUR CONFERENCE.

CHRISTCHURCH, April 4. The Conference of Trades and Labour Councils held its first business session today. The report of the executive regretted that the Government had made no attempt to deal with the questions of eight hours a day, Amendment to Factories Act, Referendum, and abolition of the Life Tenure of the Legislative Council. The Minister had again failed to supply the conference with copies of Labour bills proposed to be introduced next session, and it had therefore to deal with bills a year old. The amendments to the Arbitration and Conciliation Act had not included the recommendations of the conference that any employer commencing business after the award of the .Arbitration Court should be bound by that award, and that the Government should ba bouud by awards of the court. There was stfll room for improvement in the condition of the work of women. The report was adopted. The Eight Hours and Master and Apprentice Bills were considered, and a number of amendments suggested. It was decided to urge the introduction of bills making a half-holiday for ndult factory workers compulsory, making it illegal for women and young persons to be worked more than eight hours a day, and bringing sugar and dairy factories, slaughterhouses and sawmills under the Factories Act. The Workers' Compensation for Accidents Bill was considered, the principal amendment •suggested being to strike out the clause excluding agricultural labourers and domestic workers from its operation.

April 5. The Trades and Labour Conference resumed its sittings to-day. There was a long and animated discussion on the incidence of taxation, and the following motion by the Wellington delegate was carried : — " That this conference urges the Government to abolish the duties on necessaries of life, and to increase the land tax." The conference carried the following motion unanimously : — "That this conference, appreciating the great public services of the Hon. J. M'Kenzie in his successful efforts to reform the land laws, places on record its regret that failing health necessitates his journey to the mother land, and trusts he will return with renewed strength and vigour to carry ' on the work of social reform so urgently needed by the colony " The conference decided to protest strongly against the refusal of the Government to enforce labour laws, such as the Workmen's Wages Act and the Truck Act ; to urge that second-hand dealers be licensed ; that the Shipping and Seamen's Act be amended so as to provide that a seaman shall satisfy a nautical examiner of his qualifications to ship, instead of a justice of the peace as at present ; and further that four marine superintendents be appointed to see that the act is propeily administered. A motion urging the Government to enaefc the Government Accident Insurance Bill was

carried. It was decided that common jurors should be paid 8s per day. Motions abolishing special and grand juries were lost. There was a long discussion on the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, but all the proposed amendments were rejected. It was stated that the Otago and Auckland delegates had been instructed to oppose any motion that might bring the act before Parliament next session.

April 7. At the Trades and Labour Council Conference resolutions were passed "that municipal councillors should retire in a body and wards be abolished ; that the Government be asked to -introduce a bill compelling local bodies to pay the rates of wages ruling in the district ; that the Government be bound by the awards of the Arbitration Court in the various trades affected ; that the Government be asked to bring in a bill establishing the referendum ; that the Government be requested to amend the Inspection of Machinery Act providing that all drivers of stationary engines should be certificated. The Trades and Labour Conference resumed to-day. With regard to Sunday labour in mines, the conference decided to recommend that " The Sunday Labour in Mines Prevention Act, 1897," be amended by providing that before any permit for more than one Sunday can be given by the inspector of mines application must be properly advertised, and the public given an opportunity to object to such permit. The following political platform was drawn up : —

Labour Reforms. — (1) Adjustment of hours of labour in accordance with the requirements of the people, \ in no .case" exceed eight hours for five days and four hours for one day. (2) Passing into operation of the Master and Apprentice Bill. (3) Recognition by law of a minimum wage for all workers. (4) Workmen's Compensation and Wages Protection Bill, making joint policies between employer and employee illegal. (5) Statutory prohibition . of foreign labour under contract. (6) Extension' of State Labour Bureau. (7) When vacancies occur in Government service such, to be duly advertised and all applicants submit -themselves to au examination, the names of those having passed such Examination to be submitted to ballot, the age limit for application to be abolished.

Social Keforms.— (l) That all mineral wealth be nationalised and worked by the State. (2; Abolition of duties on the necessaries of life, and increase of the land tax. (3) Referendum with initiative in the hands of the people. (4) No further sale of Crown lands, and periodical revaluation of all lands held under lease from the State. (5) Nationalisation of all the carrying trade in New Zealand by sea or land. (6) Reform or abolition of the Upper Ho«6e. (7) That the old-age pension be universal. (b) Establishment of a State bank with the sole right of note issue. (9) Curtailment by State of the individual acquisition of wealth, either by a progressive wealth tax, progressive probate duty, or by direct legislation. (10) Abolition of grand juries and payment to jurors of 10s per day when sitting or in attendance at civil or criminal, sessions or coroners' inquests. (11) Exemption from taxation of all improvements or levying of taxation on land only according to value. Electoral "Reforms. — (1) That the parliamentary franchise apply- to nil -municipal elections. (2) That provision be made whereby the majority of the electors shall be represented in Parliament. (3) That canvassing and touting at elections be made illegal. Educational Reforms. — (1) Free and secular education from primary schools to the university. (2) Compulsory education up to the age of 14 year 3, pupils passing the Sixth Standard before attaining that age excepted. (3) One universal set of standards and one set of school books for the colony, such books to be issued at cost price and printed in the Government printing office. (-1) Opening of High Schools only to those who pass the Sixth Standard and holders of Junior scholarships, said scholarships to be increased" in number. (5) Placing of all educational endowments under the control of the Minister for Education. A motion to urge the Government to introduce the Elective Executive Bill was rejected. A scheme for a weekly labour paper for the colony was submitted, and it was decided to invite the councils to submit the scheme to the affiliated unions. A long discussion took place on the attitude of the Hon. W. T. Jennings towards labour jrvasures, 1 and a motion was carried to the eil'iict that the conference declined to recognise the Hon. W. T. Jennings as a representative of labour. The three Auckland delegates dissented. It was decided that in future the conference be held alternately in Wellington and Auckland. • April 8. The Trades and Labour Conference closed to-day. The Wellington delegates and Messrs Collins and Foster were appointed a deputation to wait on the Minister for Labour to protest -against the -non-adminis-tration of the Coal Mines Act on the West Ccast; to ask for an inquiry into the conduct of the inspector in that district, and to ask the Government to work the Mokinui mine. It was decided that the Wellington Executive be the Conference Executive for the year, and that items for the order paper must be in the hands of the executive two months before the meeting of the conference ; that affiliated councils subscribe £1 each in recognition of the services of the secretary ; that members of the conference should be bona fide members of the councils they represent, and that members of both Houses of Parliament be excluded from seats on the conference; that for motives of economy and convenience the conference meet alternately in Wellington and Chrisfchurch. WELLINGTON, April 7. With respect to the complaint of the Trades Conference that they were only supplied with old copies of the Labour Bills, the Government state these bills are the only ones in existence, and that they are in the form in which they were drawn last session, when at various stages they were abandoned. No new drafts have been made, nor is there any intention of doing so, but .the measures will be brought forward in the same shape as before.

On Tuesday morning (says the Post) Mr Kibbkwhite, a resident of Petone, felt a stinging FGrEatioii in his leg, and discovered a small katipo spider there, while later investigation showed that the insect had bitten him in four places. Dr Perry was called in, but in the evening Mr KibblewKite's condition was repcrted to be serious. When dinner has to ho prepared from scanty materials, Liebig Company's Extract economically adds body and flavour to madeup dishea-

NEW ZEALAND UNIVERSITY. CHRISTCHURCH, April 6. The University Senate met at Canter- , bury College to-day, and passed the follow- ; ing candidates as eligible for degrees : — i Master of Arts — Miss C. M'Leod, Otago ; j Miss Kate Webber, Otago. Master of Arts. With honours — Auckland : A. H. Shraff , third class in mental science ; R. W." Allen, first cluss in chemistry ; P. H." Watts, first class in mathematics. Canterbury : Miss Elsie Low, second class in English and French, and second inbotany ; ( Miss Eliza Campbell, second class in English I and French ; Miss Rosa Collier, second class in zoology ; E. F. G. Johansen, second class in political science; Miss F. M. Kirton, second . class in English and French ; Miss M. A.- M'Eachen, third class in English and French ; Miss M. F. L* Olliver, second class in zoology; Miss M. M. Rawson, secondclass in mathematics ; J. K. H. Inglis, first class in mathematics ; H. 0. Stuckey, second class in mathematics ; Miss^K. Scott, third class in mathematics ; A. R. tSraddock, first class in physical science. Otago.: J. W. Mellop, first class -in chemistry ; j. O'Shea, first class in' Latin and English ; Miss A. $auchop, second, class , in Latin and English.; Miss F. Campbell, second class in Latin and French ; F. W. Dunlop, first class in mental science ; T. A. Hunter, first class in mental science ; -Miss C. E. M'Gregor, second class in Latin and French ; A. G. C. Miller, second class in political science ; H. F. Skey, second class in physical science ; G. E. Thompson, first r-lass in English and French ; Miss M. B. Thompson, second class in mental science ; I/. E. Williams, second class in Latin and French; A. L. "Wylje, . third class in mental science. The following have gained certificates for proficiency equal to third-class honours: — J.. H. Pope (Wellington), J. S. Tennant (Otago). G. D. Braik (Invercargill), J. Povteous .(Invercargill). The following are eligible to have the degree of Doctor of Laws conferred on them : Charles Prendergast Knight, of Wellington, and William Deans Milne, Dunedin. The" senior scholarships of the year • were awarded an follow: — Mathematics, John Sisson St.. George Cooper, Canterbury Col- j lege; mental science, Joseph R. Shore, '■ Otago University; English and French, ' Edward James Parr, Canterbury College ; geology, J. Malcolm MacLaren, Auckland College ; chemistry, W. H. Baker,, Auckland College. The John Tinline Scholarship was awarded ■ to Miss Violet Maude Greig, of the Otago University. . j April 7. The University Senate concluded its special session to-day. The following candidates were passed for degrees or sections of degrees: — BACHELOR OF ABTS. '7 ' First Section. — Auckland: A. S. Brown,Miss J. M. K. Darby, H. G. Cousins, and' A. T. Thompson. Wanganui : H, o. ' M'lntyre, T. Harris, Miss Blennerhasset, Miss M. Dive, and W. J. Andrew. Wellington : A. B. Charter, F. J. Matthews, and Miss G. A. Drew. Nelson: F. L. Pogson, J> Graham, J. Honeker, Miss G. A. Cowles, Miss R. E. Avery, Miss J. M. Hornsby. Greymouth: J. Murray. Chirst-' church: J. W. M'llraithi W. A. Izard, J. M'Leod, Miss 0. V. Hickson, M. E. Kean, R. T. Wood, and R. E. Hall. Dunedin: G. G. Howes, A. M'Lean, Miss F. J. W. Hodges, Miss S. M 7 Gordon, W. M. Thompson, J. A. M'Gibbon, H. J. Brook, Miss M. O. Cunninghame, Miss E. M. Randle, A. H. V. Morgan, Miss E. L. Brown, J. Hunter, A. J. M'Kinley, E. Giithrie, E. Saunders.

Final Section. — Auckland : H. D. Bamford and Miss A. E. M'Pherson. Wellington : J. Bowie, F. G. A. Stucky, Miss W. S. Fraser. Nelson : E. H. Strong and Miss F. E. Livesay. Christchurch : A. E. Jones, 0. W. Garrard, J. T. M'William, E. J. Parr, J. S. S. Cooper, Miss F. Schneider, Miss E. A. Chaplin, A. H. Norris, F. H. M. Renner, Miss E. M. Gibson, Miss M. E. Craig, and Miss E. A. .Newman. Dunedin: 11. J. Thompson, J. Brunton, J. R. Shaw, Miss I. i\l. M'Kellar, R. T. Little, G. T. Palmer, A. Marshall, J. H. A. M'Phee, L. Thompson, J. G. Fullerton, T. B. Strong, Miss V. M. Greig. Invercargill : Miss M. C. Perrin.

Certificates of Proficiency, B.A. Papers. — Miss E. Lethbridge (Wanganui) in En* glish; Miss L. M. Fraser (Auckland), in French.

Teachers' C Certificates on B.A. Papers. Miss C. M'Neill (Christclnirch). B.SC. DEGJIEE. First Section. — Aucklapd : M. A. Hunter. Dunedin : J. D. Marks.

Final Section. — Auckland : J. C. Drongool, W. H. Baker, J. M. M'Laren. Christchurch : T. A. Black. Dunedin : W. Newlands, J. H. H. Bailey, S. C. Allen, L. A. j Line. i

B.SC. IN ENGINEERING. ' Third Examination. — C. H. B. Williams j (Christchurch).

Final Examination. — J. E. Cull (Christ- i church). I

LL.B. DEGREE. First Section.— Auckland : H. Wei, J. C,

Peacock, A. S. -Brown. Wanganui : W. J. Carson and A. E. Bullock. Nelson : J. Houlker, and E. H. Strong. Wellington: P. C. Ellis and H. Wilson. Christchurch: W. Izard and J. Glasgow. Dunedin : W. L Moore, Miss E. M. Randle, J. R. Bar-" tholomew, G. H. Thomson. Second Section. — Auckland : T. Jackson, H D. Bamfprd, and G. L. M'Diarmid. Wellington: P. G. Ellis and H. Wilson. Nelson : E. - B. Moore and P. Moore-. Christchurch : K. Neave and R. Vincent. Dunedin: W. D. Stewart, J. O'Shea, and A. G. C. Miller. Final Section.— C. C. Hutton (Timaru). __ ' BARRISTERS. General Knowledge. — W. C. Rothenberg, M. J. Crombe (Wellington), G. W. Smithson (Christshurch) . Final'— E. Rawson (Auckland) , J. M'Beth (Wanganui), C. W. Neilson (Wellington), F. J: Foot, G. A. Perry (Greymouth), F* W. Wake, G. D. Pascoe (Christchurch). Degrees will be conferred in public by the chancellor or deputy in July next.

OTAGO CENTRAL RAILWAY LEAGUE. A. meeting >of the Otago (Central Railway League was held at the Chamber of Commerce on Monday night, when there w.ere present— Messrs W. Barron (chairman) , J. Hazlett, J t Jolly, and G. Howden. Apologies for nonattendance, were received from Messrs G. L. Denniston, A. Bathgate, and T. K. Harty. •>Mr D. P/^Sinclair, Secretary of the Marlborough Land and Railway League, wrote forwarding a resolution to the effect that the league was of opinion that the time .had arrived when the Government should at once adopt a. more progressive system of publiq works, and that the prospects of the' colony quite justified a speedy completion of the main trunk railways in both islands. The league invited the co-operation of the Otago Central Railway League and other bodies in its effort to induce the Government to pitßh forward the completion of the lines referred to. — Consideration of the matter was deferred until next meeting. The following letter from Mr John M'Kay, of Wedderburn, was read : — I have to report that the works on t!i9 Ranfurly- Wedderburn section of the line have progressed favourably since my last report i» January, and, as I predicted then, the cul■\erts on thafc section have all been completed. There are a few heavy cuttings about Eden Creek, which, I think, will be finished during next month. The latest Giltting, and last on the section on the western* side of Eden Creek was started at the commencement of the present month, and has been fully manned up :o date. As this is a very long cutting, and there U a deep embankment across Eden Creek. I am unable to give an idea of when it will be completed. The viaduct at Eweburn t has hot been started'yet, and it is- to be 'hoped this work will be put in" hand soon. Re {he Wsd-derburn-Ida Valley section, I have _to state that a number of -masons and -labourers came up about 10 days ago, and "have been mostly quarrying s,tones for the different culverts since. One party started in what is known • as Messent's Creek, ' to take out 'the foundation for a large culvert, but owing to the ground being of a pipe clay nature and very soft, the engineer knocked them off for a time. I expfect to see most of the culverts, 'and some of the cuttingß on this section in full work during the next month, and' if so I will duly inform you of same. Consideration of the letter was deferred until next meeting. It was resolved to invite the city and suburban members of Parliament to attend the next meeting of the league.