LABOUR CONFERENCE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 14396, 31 December 1910, Page 3

LABOUR CONFERENCE.

NEW DEMANDS. Per P-ess Association. WELLINGTON, Dec. 80. In the new demands to bo made ns the result of the annual conference of general labourers’ unions a request will bo made for the minimum rate of pay :o bo la 3d per hour all round, irrespective of the work undertaken, whether drainlaying, quarrying, navvying, etc. The union desires to bo quite free of any labour classifications, and will endeavour to extend its operations ;o all branches of employment where labourers are engaged and where no award is in operation. A request will lie made for a 44-hour week, eight hours on each day except Saturday, when four hours should bo worked. Tho conference authorised the spending ,of :£5 by each branch in furtherance of '.ho interests of candidates at tho coming municipal elections who will he prepared to support tho improved conditions for labourers employed by local Jodies. The Minister for Public Works is to bo requested to have amendments made to the Stone Quarries Act in the direction of protecting men engaged on ;iuch dangerous works as deep drainlaying, tunnelling, and clay-cutting. A recommendation is to bo made to tho trades councils’ conference to endeavour to get Labour Day universally observed on the second Monday in November. It was decided to guarantee a copy of ■;hc Weekly 'Herald for; every financial member of the unions. Committees arc being set up in Napier,. Wanganui, and in;other branches to push tho interests of tho journal. The matter of organising the Poverty Bay district is under consideration. The next conference will be bold at Napier at the end of 1911.