EMPLOYERS' FEDERATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3113, 12 November 1913, Page 3

EMPLOYERS' FEDERATION.

CONFERENCE IN WELLINGTON. WELLINGTON, October 29. At the annual conference of tlie New Zealand Employers’ Federation, which opened to-day under the presidency of Mr W. Hopkirk, there was a large attendance of delegates. In moving the adoption of the annual report and balance sheet, which was carried, the President congratulated the federation on the results secured in connection with their organising and defence fund campaign. He appealed for further assistance, and hoped that there would be no going back. \\ ith regard to Parliamentary industrial legislation he said that the time had more than come for a cessation of the burdens that were being placed on the employers of labour. A resolution was deeply ing the number of strikes in New Zealand last year, and noting the increased lawlessness "connected with them, and fearing that unless strong measures were taken by the Government to secure law arid order life and property would not be safe. It also expressed the opinion that employers should not in future enter into any agreements with the labour unions unless under the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act. Another resolution was passed urging the employers affected by the Wellington waterside workers’ strike not on any account to meet any organisation in conference unless it was prepared to give a definite guarantee that it would register under the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act, and in the event of an agreement being arrived at steps should bo taken to have it made into an Arbi tration Court award. The conference as sured the employers affected that the federation was prepared to render every assistance in its power. A sub committee consisting of Messrs W. J. Jaggs, W. H. Bennett, H. D. Ackland, G. Simpson, and W. Scott was sot up to consider the question of the nomination of employers’ representatives on the Arbitration Court, and report to the meeting as early as possible. The afternoon was occupied with the consideration of a new constitution for the Federation. A number of clauses were adopted, and the conference adjourned till to-morrow.