TTADES AND LABOUR CONFERENCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2784, 24 July 1907, Page 26

TTADES AND LABOUR CONFERENCE.

RESOLUTIONS SUBMITTED TO THE MINISTER.

(Paou On Owv Cotunonin.) WELLINGTON, July 22.

The Minister of Labour (the Hon. J. A, Millar) listened to-night to a succession of ' speeches .from the Trades and Labour deputation which ocupied three hours -and a-half. The resolutions passed at the -ecent conference in Dunedin were submitted and expatiated on at length. . In replying, Mr Millar said that all the resolutions passed by the conference had • been duly noted. He stated, inter alia, that it was absolutely impossible to h»v« a State currency. The accommodation of country workers would be dealt with in a bill which would be brought down by tho Government. . It would probably, he said; be decided to appoint an inspector for each island in this connection. A. Local Government Bill was being printed now. Ha hoped to be able to brinjr.down an amendment to the Worker** Compensation Actt which would do away with the necessity for lawyers, and give workers the full benefit of the compensation. As to immi- % gration, he said that the only classes that had been receiving assisted passages from the Government during the past six month* were agricultural labourers and domestic servants. He hoped to bring down a. bill • dealing with the inspection of machinery, and also an amendment to the Shipping *' and Seamen Act making the minimum* space for seamen 120 ft, to bring the acfi into conformity with the Imperial Aot. A«t to the nationalisation of industries, he could! not commit himself or the Cabinet in "tho matter. That was a question on which tbo Prime Minister should fi« approached.