WATERSIDE WORKERS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 17, 5 September 1911, Page 5

WATERSIDE WORKERS.

(Per Press Association.) Auckland, September 4. At the Waterside Workers’ Conference there was considerable discussion upon a Lyttelton remit urging the Government to legislate to compel all employers to pay wages in the employer’s time. The remit was adopted. The conference also adopted Lyttelton remits to compel all vessels to carry a net the length and breadth of the hatch to avoid the danger of accident; also electric lights in the ship’s hold, bunkers, or any part of ships where men are required to work by artificial light. The conference adopted the Timaru remit for the amendment of the Shipping and Seamen Act to prevent a member of a vessel’s crew handling cargo on the wharves wlien shore labour was available. The conference passed a resolution, on the motion of Mr Voice, (Lyttelton), that the conference condemn the action of the Government in allowing an industrial union the right of election by ballot and the .right of a close corporation, the said union being directly connected with the Railway Department, thereby debarring legitimate workers of the right to a fair- living. The conference adopted a remit from Lyttelton recommending the amendment of the Conciliation and Arbitration Act to allow industrial unions to take breaches of the Act or of an award before the court, and to amend section 11 to enable application to" be made for a union member’s name to be erased from the list sent to the registrar in the previous January when his contributions are twelve months in arrear. PEACE AT ANY PRICE. Auckland, September o. At the Waterside Workers’ Conference, Mr. G. Terry (Wellington), moved: “That this conference approves of the following should England declare war on any other nation: We, as workers, united with the workers of other countries in enduring peace.” Mr. Boardman (Auckland) seconded. Mr. Rood (Lyttelton) said it would be a good thing if the workers of rival countries could unite and stop horrible wars. If the money spent under the present New Zealand Defence Act had been "Spent under the volunteer system it would have formed the nucleus of a very effective service. Mr. Ecanbnm (Auckland), referring to the compulsory military training scheme, contended that the system was too harsh, and suggested the motion bo amended as follows : “That in event of any two nations of the world declaring war on one another, this conference pledges itself, along with other workers of the world, to declare for peace.’ ’ The amendment was accepted by the mover, and the motion as amended was carried.