EMPLOYERS' ASSOCIATION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7000, 1 November 1890, Page 4

EMPLOYERS' ASSOCIATION.

A general meeting of the members of the Canterbury Employers' Association was held at 3 p.m. yesterday at their offices, Hereford street ; the President (Mr G. T. Booth) in the chair. The report of the Executive was submitted to the meeting. It showed that since the formation of the Association last September, one hundred and thiity firms or separate employers had joined, and they comprised nearly the whole of the shipping, mercantile and manufacturing businesses of North Canterbury, and in addition a good representation of the country interests. The manufacturers represented on the Association are the direct employers of about three thousand five hundred hands, then there were the shipping, mercantile and farming interests, so that the Association could fairly be looked upon as representing very large interests. Similar Associations had been formed in Dunedin, Invercargill, Timaru, Oamam, Wellington, Napier, and Auckland. Constant communication had passed between them on matters of common interest, and each. Association had determined to loyally support the others. The Executive had kept the kindred bodies fully advised of all that bad occurred, and they have reciprocated, the object being to secure united action throughout the Colony. The reasons already published., for declining to attend the Conference in Wellington were referred to, and the Executive concluded that the result of that Conference showed that the time had not arrived for the settlement of the dispute by mutual agreement. During the past ten days several meetings had been held between delegates representing the Seamen's, Miners', and Wharf Labourers' Unions and the Shipping Committee, most of which are members of this Association, for the purpose of arranging a conference with the Employers' Association. The matter was brought before this Association, and it was resolved that, subject to the principles already laid down by the Association, they would endeavour to arrange a conference with the various Associations, and the other large interests, not for the purpose of discussing the past strike, but rather with a view of making arrangements for the prevention of strikes in the future. The Executive .elbo stipulated that they would not recognise the Maritime Council, but would meet the representatives of the Unions before mentioned. The delegates were willing to meet, but wished Mr Millar to be one of the representatives. This was refused by the Association on the ground that it was impossible to dissociate Mr Millar from the Maritime Council and its connection with Australia, as the whole trouble had originated from that body. Consequently negotiations were suspended. The report was adopted, the action of the Executive approved, and a general feeling expressed that it would be wise to meet the delegates of the various Unions for the purpose of endeavouring to put future operations on a more satisfactory basis, on the lines already laid down by the Association. The meeting then adjourned. LYTTELTON. It is understood that a mass meeting of Unionists was to be held in Fort some time to-day, when the instructions under what conditions the men are to accept work will be read to them. At a full meeting held on Thursday, it was again decided to act in one united body in any action which it might be deemed necessary to take.