THE KNIGHTS OF LABOUR.

Timaru Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 1807, 16 July 1895, Page 3

THE KNIGHTS OF LABOUR.

„ •** (By Telegraph.) WELLINGTON. July 12. The Wellington Knights of Labour have passed a series of resplutions on political subjects. Amongst other things j they urge that the Government should ex- 1 tend the municipal franchise easier opportunities for settling on land ; work i mining leases, where the conditions are notcomplied with, by co-operative labour; increase the poll tax on Chinese to £100; abolish the duties on necessaries of life, recouping the amount by abolishing the exemption under the land tax; establish a State Bank ; support the Referendum Bill and State fire insurance ; appoint counsel for the defence as well as for the prosecution ; give equal rights to both sexes m marriage and divorce ; also calling on members to support an Elective Executive, party government being a failure. Resolutions were also passed that the Government be asked to enact, and, when necessary, to enforce a new clause m the Shipping and Seamens Act, so as to give effect to the fallowing suggestions : — (a) That seamen pass an examination as to their competency ; that passenger steam-boats and sailing vessels be compelled to carry sufficient sailors to man the boats, so as to prevent such another disaster as that of the Wairarapa, where there were eight boats and only ten men on deck to man them ; that the Marine Department should fix a Plimsoll mark, and the Customs see that the mark is not submerged m vessels leaving port. That all women employed by Government receive the same remuneration as any men m the same position ; that police officers be moved from time to time ; that Government change the Inspectors of Schools periodically; that the Government prosecute employers deducting money from wages for accident insurance. The Knights of Labour urge the Government to constitute a commission to ascertain the best means of advancing the frozen meat trade. Motious were

carried favouring an old age pension scheme, that the Workmen's Lien Act be amended to give workmen and subcontractors a first lien on the proper. y on which they may be employed. The assembly endorsed Mr G. Russell's Periodical Revaluation of Land Bill.