H.—4B

6

Besolved, on the motion of Messrs. Judge and Bust, That the Minister be asked, through Mr. Kelly, which would be the best course to observe in reference to reporting the Conference's suggestions to the Government. Mr. Bust introduced the subject of the Slaughterhouses Bill, but was ruled out of order. Mr. Ahearn (of the Amalgamated Miners' Association, Cape Foulwind Branch) applied for a hearing. Besolved, on the motion of Messrs. Hadfield and Bust, That Standing Orders be suspended. Mr. Ahearn stated that about forty of the members of his union were unemployed, and had been so since the strike. The Harbour Board had systematically employed only non-union men. Besolved, on the motion of Messrs. Johnson and Hadfield, That, in reference to the grievance expressed by Mr. Ahearn, this Conference is strongly of opinion that equality should be observed in the matter of employing union and non-union men. Besolved, on the motion of Messrs. Johnson and Judge, that this Conference sympathizes with the Cape Foulwind miners, and recommend that their grievance be brought before the labour members in Parliament. Besolved, on the motion of Messrs. Johnson and Hadfield, That a copy of the report of this Conference be furnished the Cape Foulwind Branch of the Amalgamated Miners' Association. Proposed by Mr. Bust and seconded by Mr. Cleworth, pro forma, That the circumstances of the Cape Foulwind miners—namely, that forty of their number were kept out of employment whilst nonunionists were employed—be laid before the officer in charge of the Government Labour Bureau with a request that he should use his influence with the Harbour Board in that district to secure equal rights for union and non-unionists. Proposition lost. In reply to the Chairman, Mr. Ahearn expressed the opinion that the Cape Foulwind miners preferred a New Zealand federation to an Australasian federation. Mr. Bust again brought forward the Slaughterhouses Bill, and moved that it be now considered. Mr. Johnson seconded the proposition, which, upon being put, was lost. Proposed by Messrs. Judge and Hadfield, That the Slaughterhouses Bill be now read, but that consideration of it be deferred till the business of the Conference —namely, consideration of the Labour Bills—is finished. After a long discussion the voting was equal. The Chairman gave his casting-vote against the motion. Besolved, on the motion of Messrs. Simpson and Cleworth, That the individual members of this Conference pledge themselves to consider (if possible) at the close of the Conference—(l) A National Council scheme ; (2) the Slaughterhouses Bill; (3) flax- and timber-mills; (4) any other important business. Besolved, on the motion of Messrs. Cleworth and Judge, That the Eight Hours Bill be now •considered. Clause 1 passed as printed. Clause 2, subsection (1). Besolved, on the motion of Messrs. Johnson and Slater, That the word "outdoor," in the third line, be struck out; also, the words "with their hands," in the seventh line, be struck out. Clause 3. Proposed by Messrs. Slater and Simpson, That the words "of not less than one month" be substituted for the words "or term" in the last line. Proposition lost. Besolved, on the motion of Messrs. Judge and Fisher, That the lines seven, eight, and nine be struck out. Clause 4. Proposed by Messrs. Slater and Simpson, That the words " and forty-eight hours a week's work" be struck out. Proposition lost. Besolved, on the motion of Messrs. Johnson and Judge, That the words " not more than " be inserted before the words " forty-eight " in the second line. Clause 5. Besolved, on the motion of Messrs. Bust and Johnson, That the words "that not more than eight hours shall be worked when other competent operatives are procurable" be added. Clause 6 passed as printed. Clause 7. Besolved, en the motion of Messrs. Slater and Fisher, That the word " fourteen " be substituted for the word. " twelve "in the first line. Besolved, on the motion of Messrs. Johnson and Bust, That all the words after the word " hire," in the second line, be struck out. Besolved, on the motion of Messrs. Simpson and Cleworth, That previous words be struck out where they clash with the Factories Bill. Clause 8. Besolved, on the motion of Messrs. Judge and Bust, That the word "five" be substituted for the word " two "in the second line; also, that the word " ten "be substituted for the word " five " in the third line. Besolved, on the motion of Messrs. Simpson and Cleworth, That the Eight Hours Bill, with suggested amendments, be now adopted. Besolved, on the motion of Messrs. Judge and Johnson, pro forma, That the names of movers of resolutions appear in the report of the minutes. The Conference adjourned till 9 a.m. the next day.

Sixth Day, Wednesday, 24th June, 1891. The Conference resumed its sittings at 9 a.m. this day, Mr. Slater occupying the chair, all the delegates being present. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Proposed by Mr. Judge, and seconded by Mr. Bust, That the minutes of Monday, 22nd instant, referring to the proposed addition to clause, be specially recommended to the Government. The proposition was lost. The Building Lien Bill was then considered. Besolved, on the motion of Messrs. Simpson and Cleworth, That the word " January," in the last line of the Bill, be struck out and the word " October" substituted. The Bill was then adopted, with amendment suggested, on the motion of Messrs. Judge and Hadfield.