H.-48

4

Third Day, Saturday, 20th June, 1891. The Conference resumed its sittings at 9 a.m., Mr. Slater in the chair, all the delegates being present. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Chairman reported in reference to the deputation appointed to wait upon Sir George Grey, who, he said, was not very enthusiastic about the Labour Bills. Sir George Grey, however, gave apledge to give them a general support if they met' with the views of the majority of the workers. Sir George said he paid greater attention to freeing the political institutions of the colony. He suggested, that the Secretary should write to him embodying the desires of the Conference, and he would, in return, suggest whatever amendments he considered needful. The report, which was considered, highly satisfactory, was adopted, on the motion cf Messrs. Hadfield and Bust. Besolved, on the motion of Messrs. Bust and Simpson, That the Secretary be requested to write to Sir George Grey, thanking him for receiving the deputation, and at the same time it be pointed out to that gentleman that the Conference highly approves of the Labour Bills now before Parliament. Besolved, on the motion of Messrs. Hadfield and Bust, That, in order to secure a better knowledge of the law relating to apprentices, " The Masters and Apprentices Act, 1865," be now read, in order to ascertain what bearing it had upon the proviso contained in clause 5 of the Employers' Liability Act Amendment Bill. Besolved, on the motion of Messrs. Judge and Simpson, that the Employers' Liability Act Amendment Bill, with amendment proposed on the previous day, be adopted. The Truck Bill was next taken into consideration. Clause 1 passed as printed. Clause 2, subsection (4). Besolved, on the motion of Messrs. Bust and Kelly, That the words " or thing had or," in the first line, be struck out. Clauses 3 to 20, passed as printed. Clause 21, subsection (1). Besolved, on the motion of Messrs. Bust and Johnson, That this subsection be struck out. Subsection (2) struck out, on the motion of Messrs. Kelly and Judge. Subsection (3) struck out, on the motion of Messrs. Bust and Judge. Subsection (4) struck out, on the motion of Messrs. Hadfield and Johnson. Subsection (5) struck out, on the motion of Messrs. Slater and Cleworth. Subsection (6) struck out, on the motion of Messrs. Judge and Bust. Subsection (7) and the concluding paragraph were struck out, on the motion of Messrs. Bust and Johnson. Proposed by Messrs. Fisher and Simpson the addition of the following new clause : " That this Bill shall not apply to the General Government of the colony as far as the unemployed are concerned." Messrs. Bust and Cleworth (pro forma) proposed as an amendment, " That no rcommendation be made which will empower the Government to in any way enter into competition with private business people in supplying any Government servant or employe." The motion was carried by six to two. Besolved, on the motion of Messrs. Slater and Judge, That this Conference recommend to the favourable consideration of the Government that a clause be inserted in the Truck Bill to prevent employers in any way providing stores, &c, to their employes. Besolved, on the motion of Messrs. Simpson and Hadfield, That the Truck Bill, with suggested amendments, be adopted. The Conference then adjourned till Monday, the 22nd instant, at 9 a.m.

Fourth Day, Monday, 22nd June, 1891. The Conference resumed its sittings at 9 a.m. The Chairman (Mr. E. Slater) occupied the chair, all the delegates being in attendance. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The outward correspondence was read and ratified. The Industrial Conciliation Bill was then taken into consideration. Clauses 1 to 18 were passed as printed. Clause 19. Besolved, on the motion of Messrs. Bust and Simpson, That the word " employer" be substituted for the word "person" in the second line. Clause 20. Besolved, on the motion of Messrs. Johnson and Fisher, That the word " three " be substituted for the word " five "in the second line; also that the word " employers "be substituied for the word " persons " in the eighth line. Clauses 21 to 24 passed as printed. Clause 25. Besolved, on the motion of Messrs. Kelly and Simpson, That the word "union" be inserted before the word " association "in the first line. Mr. Fisher dissented. Clause 26 was passed as printed. Clause 27. Besolved, on the motion of Messrs. Simpson and Kelly, That the word " outside " be inserted, in the fifth line, after the word " one ; " also that the words " or unless he shall be requested by a majority of the Board to do so" be inserted after the word " resign," in the tenth line, the words " the chair," at the end of the section, being struck out. Clause 28 passed as printed. Clause 29. Besolved, on the motion of Messrs. Kelly and Judge, That the word " only " be inserted after the word " shall " in the fifth line; and, in the same line, the words " second or " be struck out. Besolved, on the motion of Messrs. Johnson and Slater, That the words "an equal number on both sides (there being not less than five members present, including the Chairman) " be substituted for the words " not less than one-half in number " in the first line. Clause 30 passed as printed. Clause 31, subsection (3). Besolved, on the motion of Messrs. Simpson and Kelly, That the word " one " be substituted for the word " three"" in line one ; also, that the word " annually " be substituted for the word " trienially" in line two, subsection (3). Besolved, on the motion of