CANTERBURY TRADES AND LABOUR COUNCIL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6122, 8 March 1898, Page 1

CANTERBURY TRADES AND LABOUR COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting of the Canterbury Trades and Labour Council was held on Saturday night in Inglis' Buildings. The President of the Council presided. Correspondence was received from the Moulders' Union stating that they had decided to become affiliated to the Council, and their delegates were accorded a hearty welcome. It was resolved that a letter of sympathy should be forwarded to .Mr D. S. Turner, and that the Council should attend the funeral of his late wife. Correspondence was received from the Canterbury Industrial Association requesting the Council to elect six delegates to meet a similar number from the Association to discuss (1) the present position of all classes of- Now Zealand industries ; and (2) to suggest, if possible, ways and means by which the industries may become more successful and the position of employers and workmen improved. The Secretary was instructed to reply stating that the Council most respectfully declined to discuss the matters suggested by the Association, but would meet them to discuss the Master and Apprentice and Eight Hours Bills. The following delegates were elected to represent the Council at the annual conference, to be held at Easter in Wellington :— Messrs Taylor, Fisher and Billeliff. It was reI solved that the Secretary should correspond with the Auckland Trades Council, requesting it to form Unions of the boilermakers and furniture trades in that city. The following subject was oruered to be forwarded, to be placed on the order paper : — " That the Conference consider and appoint a deputation to wait upon the members of the Ministry, with a view to getting assistance for the erection of a Trades Hall in each centre." The Secretary was ordered to publish the letter of gratitude to the Hon W. P. Eeeves in the report of the Council. The following is a copy of the letter:— "Christchureh, Feb. 19,1898.— To the Hon W. P. Eeeves.— Hon Sir,— We, the undersigned, representatives of affiliated Unions to the Canterbury Trades and Labour Council desire to thank you for the advantages which we receive through the operation of the Conciliation and Arbitration Act in New Zealand. We recognise and appreciate your honest attempt in calling into existence a principle which has rendered strikes, lock-outs and their attendant evils impossible. In contrasting the conditions that obtain at present with those that existed prior to the operation of the Act, we recognise that it has been the means of organising trades and giving them a status equal to that held by Unions already in existence, and although numerically and financially weak, they receive equal consideration and justice. How great the contrast, when even the strongest Unions so litnentably fail where there is no appeal to justice ! Whilst taking exception to the working of the Act in one or two particulars, which we hope will be remedied in the near future, we are agreed that a departure of such a radical character, that can so successfully control our industrial life, should be hailed with satisfaction by every section of the community, and must reflect credit on one who has laboured so indefatigably to secure it a place on the Statute Book." (Signed by representatives of Unions affiliated to the Council.)