LABOUR

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXXII, Issue 12668, 2 May 1905, Page 3

LABOUR

LABOUR LEADERS IN TROUBLE. i-United Press Association-r-Per Electric Telegraph—CopyrightReceived 9.50 p.m.. May. let. NEW YORK, May. 1. Twelve labour leaders hare -been indicted for conspiracy in connection with the teamsters' strike hi Chicago. THE PREMIER AND THE TRADES COUNCIL. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, May 1. Mr Seddon replying to the Trades Council's deputation said that he did not think there was a chance of amending the Workers' Compensation Act so as to provide for fulPwages being paid in case of accident. He was in favour of the minimum payment being £1 a week. It was the intention of the State to establish coal depots. That would be a check on existing monopolies. The question of a State coal mine in the North Island would have to be submitted to Parliament. He did not think Parliament would ever agree to break the existing land leases. He agreed with the proposal that land should be resumed at the owner's valuation plus 10 per cent.,, and he believed the time was not far distant when the law would be amended in that direction. He also agreed that a tenant should be given the value of all improvements. As to an increase of land taxation and the reduction of taxation on the necessaries of life, he admitted that the present amount of taxation received from the Customs was out of proportion to the amount received from direct taxation. He believed the Legislative Council should be abolished. He was not in favour of making it elective. A revisory committee only was wanted. He was opposed to the principle of an elective executive. If it was carried out they would have to do away with the power asjd responsibilities of the King's representative to whom Ministers were responsible. What he feared, however, was that the selection by the House would bring about confusion and chaos.