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or any one else. That has nothing whatever to do with it now. As members of the community, it is our duty to try, in the best manner possible, to bring about a settlement. Do not take into account now how it arose. We might go on to the end of time and never satisfactorily clear up who was to blame for bringing it about. The difficulty is here, and let us now try, if we are all sincere in our professions, to ascertain in what way we can settle this with least harm to either side, and with the best possible advantage to all concerned ; and that can only be done by dropping altogether the question of the origin of the difficulty. I could put forth plenty of argument, from my knowledge of the Maritime Council's business, that the Union Steamship Company have erred, while Mr. McLean might try to show how fallacious my arguments were. Ido hope, gentlemen, that we have talked this out sufficiently to enable us to calmly sit down and come to a conclusion. Let us set up a delegation as suggested, and the labour representatives can talk amongst themselves as to how far they can make concessions, as, I take it, the Hon. Mr. McLean will have also to do on his part. If either side imagines for one moment that they will come out of this triumphantly they never made a greater mistake. Both must be prepared to give way to some extent, and I felt pleased to observe in his statement yesterday and to-day that Mr. McLean holds out a hand and says, " If you are willing to forget the past we will meet you and come to terms." I may have misunderstood him, but that is the interpretation I give to his speeches here. Now, as to the question of unionist and non-unionist labour working together, if you cannot concede that point, suppose you say you will propose a resolution that unionists and non-unionists should work together for a month, so as to give time to get the non-unionists into the union. In this way points might be conceded on both sides, and so speedily bring about a settlement, which must come if v/e are true to ourselves and Mr. McLean is true to himself. As to Mr. Millar's statements, they are made from the information that comes to him, and which he verifies as far as he can. I am convinced that Mr. Millar believes that what he states is absolutely true. It may be untruth, but he tried his level best to find out whether it was true or not, and went as far as it was necessary before believing that it was true. Mr. McLean says that it is untrue, and there is really nothing to be gained, therefore, by carrying on the argument. The difficulty is here, no matter who is to blame for it, and let us set our heads to work to find out how it can be settled. Mr. Lomas : Ought we not to consult Mr. McLean as to the adjournment of the Conference ? I understand that he is anxious to get home to-morrow; and, seeing that we have the majority of votes, we should consult him in the matter. Mr. Hutcheson: We never intended to put the matter to the vote without consulting the interests of the other side. The Chairman: If the resolution, either one way or the other, does not suit Mr. McLean he has the privilege of saying so. The amendment for adjournment until the following morning was then put and lost. The Chairman : The motion now is, That a deputation of five, consisting of Messrs. Winter Sandford, J. A. Millar, Lornas, and Fisher, be appointed to confer with the Hon. Mr. McLean with a view to a settlement of the present difficulty. Mr. Dobson : It appears to me, sir, that the amendment which has just been lost might have been explained by you to mean that at the adjournment the members would have a caucus meeting to appoint a delegation to wait upon Mr. McLean at 10 o'clock to-morrow morning. You are putting the resolution, and members who were against the amendment are also against the resolution, except as to the nomination of the delegates, wishing to meet Mr. McLean in a different way. They will also vote against the resolution, and it will be lost. Mr. R. P. Johnson : After hearing the lengthy discussion we have had here, the delegation named have brain-power enough to conduct a conference with Mr. McLean without any further instructions from a caucus gathering. Ido not see how there could be a really clouded view of the amendment or the resolution. Mr. Ansell: I would like to bring another thing before your notice. As wharf-labourers are largely concerned in this matter, it would not be amiss if this Conference were to add the name of Mr. Peter Brown. Mr. Meyer: I did not overlook the wharf-labourers, Mr. Chairman, when I mentioned your own name, as you are here to represent them. The name"of Mr. P. Brown was added to the list, and the motion then carried on the voices. Mr. Meyer: Can we find out when this conference is going to take place between the. Hon. Mr. McLean and the delegates just appointed ? Mr. Ansell: I think it should be left to Mr. McLean to arrange that. Mr. Jones : It would be as well to let us understand if we are to have a private meeting or not. Hon. Mr. McLean : I was going to suggest that we should fight it out to-night, somehow or other; but Mr. Fisher says you have an important meeting, and I do not wish to interfere wdth it. However, if you cannot meet to-night my time will be at your service in the morning. The Chairman : What hour would suit you ? Hon. Mr. McLean : lam not particular; but I like to get an hour's work done in. the morning—say, 10 o'clock. Mr. R. P. Johnson : Will it be necessary for us, as a Conference, to meet again at all ? The Chairman : Oh yes. Mr. F. G. Millar : I move, That we adjourn until Monday morning at 10 o'clock. Mr. Meyer : I beg to second that, sir. Mr. Jones : Is it to be understood that a private meeting of delegates will be held this evening, prior to the deputation waiting upon Mr. McLean? If the deputation are allowed to settle the matter it will go forth that it has been with the consent of this Conference, whereas they may differ entirely from the arrangement come to. The Chairman : I hope the labour delegates will understand that we shall have an informal