H.—llb
1905. NEW ZEALAND.
PROPOSED CONFERENCE OF EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES, SUMMARY OF REPLIES TO INVITATIONS TO, AND SUGGESTED SUBJECTS FOR DISCUSSION AT.
Laid on the Table of the House of Bepresentatives by Leave.
PROPOSED CONFERENCE OF EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES.
Summary of Replies received from Industrial Unions of Employers. President of New Zealand Employers' Federation, Dunedin. —Majority vote of federation opposed to Conference at present, as scope too wide, and too late to legislate this session. Matters were too important to be dealt with summarily. Secretary, Employers' Association, Auckland. —Owing to importance of subjects, Association considers it unwise to hold Conference until early in new year. Secretary, Employers' Association, New Plymouth. —Association will endeavour to send delegates, but considers it rather late in session to hold Conference. Manawatu Employers' Association, Palmerston North. —Approves of Conference, and accepts invitation, and suggests six items for discussion. Suggests Wellington as meeting-place. President, Wairarapa Employers' Association, Masterton. —Considers great benefit to be derived from the suggested Conference. Has appointed two delegates. Wellington Employers' Association, Wellington.—Cannot give definite reply, but considers date proposed altogether too early. Marlborough Employers' Association, Blenheim. —Invitation to Conference accepted, and two delegates will be sent. Approves of Christchurch as meeting-place. Nelson Employers' Association, Nelson.—Association considers that it would be desirable to hold Conference after New Year. Boot-manufacturers' Association, Christchurch.—Cordially approves of Conference, and will appoint delegates. Suggests Christchurch as place of meeting. Southland Employers' Association, Invercargill.—Considers time not opportune, as no legislation could be passed this session. Conference should be held early next year, when Association will send delegates.
Summary of Replies received from Provincial Industrial Associations of Employers. Wellington Provincial Industrial Association, Wellington.—Approves of proposed Conference, and will send two delegates. Christchurch approved of as meeting-place. Canterbury Provincial Industrial Association, Christchurch.—Association will gladly co-operate. Considers notice too short to give that consideration to questions involved which the importance of meeting demands. Christchurch undoubtedly suitable as meeting-place. ("Note. These are the only two Provincial Industrial Associations now in existence in the colony.]
Summary of Replies received from Farmers' Unions. President, Farmers' Union (J. G. Wilson, Esq., Bull's).— Executive are, so far, against Conference as at present suggested. (14/10/05.) Secretary, Waikato Farmers' Club, Cambridge.—Would like to be represented at Conference and asks for an invitation. Reply sent that separate clubs are not being invited, but if a district farmers' union it would be asked to send delegates.
Summary of Replies received from Trades and Labour Councils of New Zealand. Hawke's Bay Trades and Labour Council, Napier.—Considers that present time inopportune, and notice given too shore. Suggests Conference be held at Easter. Wanganui Trades and Labour Council, Wanganui.—Supports Conference, and has elected delegates. Christchurch approved of as suitable meeting-place. Wellington Trades and Labour Council, Wellington.—Agrees to Conference, providing the workers have representation equal to that of the employers and farmers' unions combined. Also approves of Christchurch as place of meeting, but suggests that Conference do not commence earlier than 6th November. Westland Trades and Labour Council, Denniston.—Arranging for delegates to attend Conference. Nelson Trades and Labour Council, Nelson.—lnvitation accepted, and Christchurch also approved as place of meeting. . Canterbury Trades and Labour Council, Christchurch.—Approves of Conference being held in Christchurch, and at as early a date as possible.