THE SAWMILL EMPLOYEES

West Coast Times, 20 April 1911, Page 2

THE SAWMILL EMPLOYEES

CONFERENCE AT CHRISTCHURCH

INTERESTING DELIBERATIONS,

[run PRICKS ASSOCIATION.—COPYRIGHT.] CHRISTCHURCH, April, 19. . Tl 'e Sawmill Employees Conference 110 A'’ beln K held here. A remit " tliat the President of the Court of Arbitration be elected instead of appointed, and that ho be not a judge of the Supremo Court,” was negatived, no delegate voting for it. , The Conference affirmed the principle oi statuorv unconditional preference to Unionists.

llio Conference agreed to remits as Inflows:—“that 4u hours should constitute a week’s work; that the Government be urged to extend.the State sawmills and coal and firewood yards, and to establish timber yards, anil also to regulate i the price of timber; that reafforestation lie urged upon the Government.

A remit raising the question of the unions joining one or other of the labour Federations was struck, out. The Miners’ Federation was severely criticised, and termed “A rabble” and a ••Revolutionary mob.” It was agreed that Unions affiliated to the Sawmillera federation should consider the adviseablenoss of joining the Trades Counoils 1< adoration of Labour.

It was decided to protest’ strongly against the Governments immigration policy.

The next conference will he. held at Tnnaru next Easter. 1