WORK AND WAGES

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 284, 28 May 1912, Page 5

WORK AND WAGES

THE LABOR CONFERENCE. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Monday. Fifty delegates, composing the Federation of Labor Conference, met in special session yesterday. Mr. P. C. Webb presided. Mr. R. Semple moved that the conference take into immediate consideration the advisability of introducing certain machinery clauses that will have the effect of transforming the federation into a • national industrial union of workers, on the lines of the Industrial Workers of the World. After nearly all 1 lie delegates had spoken in favor of the motion, it was carried by acclamation, and a committee was set up for the purpose of remodelling the constitution and rules in harmony with the motion. GISBORNE BUTCHERS' STRIKE. Gisborne, Yesterday. Sixteen Gisborne butchers concerned in the recent strike in the retail trade were charged with an offence under Section 9 of the Industrial Conciliation Act by the Inspector of Factories today, and nine were found guilty. Mr. Knight, president of the union, was fined £lO, nine others £3 and costs, and the remaining cases were dismissed, defendants showing that they had been given leave by their employers. THE REEFTON STRIKE. Reeft'on, Last Night. There is no change in the situation. It is reported that a number of men have been placed in different situations. Young unmarried men are still leaving, and there has been a great clearance from 'town. Business is depressed, but most of the tradesmen look on the present trouble as clearing the air, and are hopeful that the trouble will soon be settled. There is no trouble between the companies other than between one consolidated group and the men; in fact, the best relations exist outside the present strike.