THE PROPOSED TRUST.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXVII, Issue 10660, 31 May 1913, Page 5

THE PROPOSED TRUST.

Per Press Association. Wellington, May 30. The Council of the Chamber of Commerce to-day passed a resolution protesting against any shipping company or employer of labour entering into any compact which may prevent free labour being employed if the necessity arises. Sir James Mills, in an interview with the Post, said no combination was ever dreamed of, and the agitation was merely a storm in a teapot. To suggest the promotion of such a combination to the detriment of the public was an absolute and mischievous fiction.

At a meeting o f the council of the allingtou Chamber of Commerce to-day to consider the reported proposal of the shipping companies to come to an understanding with* the Federation of Labour, Mr A. B, Mabin, the president of the Chamber, said that be had authority to say that the direct lines—Shaw Saville and Albion, New Zealand Shipping Co., and the others—had. no intention of entering into any compact with the Federation of Labour that would in any way debar their—the lines —use of the free labour if occasion demanded. Although they were not prepared to even consider snob a compact with a labour organisation, ; had been suggested in the press, us the idea was repellent to them, there had apparently bean an attempt-by some party or parties to endeavour to make terms with, the Federation of Labour. Owing to the resentment shown by the public to such an arrangement, the danger might be considered as passed, ’yet the Chamber should express in unmistakable terms its -opinion us an intimation of the ocurse which should be taken in future.

After discussion, the Council resolved, “That the .Wellington Chamber of Commerce protests against any shipping company or employer of labour entering into any compact which may prevent free labour being employed if the necessity arises, and considers that any such agreement will be prejudicial to the interests of the Dominion, ami further considers that on the termination of the present -agreements no new arrangements should be made with any body except under the Arbitration Act.” Christchurch, May 130,

The Press is authorised to say that the statement coming from Wellington that the conference between the shipowners '.and the Federation of Labour has not been abandoned, and shat it will take place soon, is without foundation, at any rate so far as the Hew Zealand Whipping Co. and the Shaw Savill and Union Companies are concerned. The Press was informed that there was never any intention on/the part of the two companies to meet the Federation of Labour in conference. /