DUNEDIN EMPLOYERS' ASSOCIATION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9213, 16 April 1908, Page 1

DUNEDIN EMPLOYERS' ASSOCIATION.

[Per Press Association.] DUNEDIN, April 15.

A special meeting of the Employers' Association was held to-day to consider the Government'^ actions in connection with the Blackball strike, and also the question of aiding and abetting. In regard to Mr Skerrett's opinion of section 14 of the Factories Act Amendment Act, 1907, the following resolutions were carried — (1) "That this meeting of Otago employers expresses its disappointment at the turn that things have taken in connection with the Blackball strike, and very much regrets the Government's continued failure to enforce the Act " ; (2) " That this meeting considers that in the- best interests of the community as a whole the Act should be immediately, amended and

made enforceable against all parties, or should be expunged from the Statute Books of the dominion altogether " ; (3) "That as the Government refuses to take prompt action against those unions that have been guilty of aiding and abetting the strikers in passing resolutions of sympathy and donating money to carry on the strike, the New Zealand Employers' Federation should be asked to institute proceedings against one or two of the union leaders so that a test case may be made and the position of employers ascertained " ; (4) " That this meeting is strongly of the opinion that radical amendments must be made to the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act if it is to be of any lasting benefit to the community " ; and (5) "That the local federation be appointed to draw up the necessary amendments, to be approved by a general meeting and forwarded to the Federation for submission to employers throughout the dominion."

[Fkom Ottr Correspondent.]

GREYMOUTH, April 15. No movement of note has taken place at Blackball since Saturday last. There is a persistent rumour afloat that the trouble will end as soon as the Easter conference of the New Zealand Trades Councils is over.