THE LABOUR CONFERENCE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10682, 31 January 1913, Page 3

THE LABOUR CONFERENCE.

ITB DEPUTATION TO THE PREMIER. ; , [Per Press Association.] ' WELLINGTON, January 31. A deputation from the recent .Labour Conference waited on the Prime Minister to-day. During the proceedings some plain and occasionally neated talk, took place. ' r 1 ' Mr Tregear urged an amendment on the Arbitration Act so that, when a Union had cancelled its. registration it should not be possible for a small mi-, nority to form a union and prevent members of tho old litiion from joining. He also said tho Conferences amendment was to prevent, honorary members,of a Union lrom being able to vote. Theso detects, he urged, endanEjcrod tho wbole success of tvados unionism in New Zealand. Mr Semple said that the employing class bad been successful in, .smashing the - organisation, at with the assistance of the Government. Mr Massev: "I may as well contradict that statement at once. The employing ciuss had nothing to do with it. I'he Government -was cklled 'upon to enforce la\y aud order, and the Government did it. The employing class had absolutely 'nothing to -uo with it. ]VLr Semple:, "The employing class was responsible for the smash." , 'Mr Massoy agaiii gave the statement an absolute contradiction-. The Government. he added, Would have done something if it had been called upon by the other side. . ~ Mr Semple assertctl that the Government had done nothing of-the kiiid, and went, on to narrate what had happened at Huntly. Massev said that the police were sent to Huntly at the request of the citizens. . .*•• Other speakers spoke in opposition to the compulsory clauses of tlx? Defence Act, and urged an amendment on the Workers i Compensation Act-. ■■ Mr Massey said that a consolidated amendment Arbitration Bill- would he brought down next session.. He would also carefully consider tjie ; manifest defects in the" Compensation to \\ orkers Act, and stated the intention of the Government „to stand bj r _ the Defence Act. , Mr Semple complained that 'Labour had not got a >:quarc deal from' the Massey Government. The men at WaihiWere crucified and cowed by the policeman's baton. - . . ■ Mr Massey I won't have that. Proceed with your address without reference to Wailii. We are responsible to the people of this country, and are prepared ..to answer for what took place at Waihi. If - your friends acted nr the same way again, there you would get exactly the same treatment, that s plain talking. ; Mr Semple denied that Ins friends ever hroke the law at Waihi. . . Mr Massey added_ that their doings at Waihi were a disgrace to civilisation. ~