TRADES AND LABOR CONGRESS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1427, 12 January 1885, Page 2

TRADES AND LABOR CONGRESS.

D-. nedin, Saturday,

At the Trades and Labor Congress today the following was amongst the more important business done. Mr W. T. Barnes moved —“ That in the opinion of this Congress it is desirable that a clause be introduced into the Shipping and Seamen’s Act, 1877, prohibiting seamen from working cargo in costal steamers exceeding 200 tons in any port, save in open roadsteads where no other labor is obtainable. ’ During the discussion which ensued, Mr Dobson said he must oppose the motion, as the proposal would be disastrous to the interests of seamen in New Zealand, and would drive owners to register their vessels outside the colony. The matter was practically directed against the union Steamship Company alone, and that Co rpaoy was the moat liberal and considerate towards its servants of any Company in the whole of the colonies. Ultimately the motion was carried by 12 votes to 11. Mr R. Harvey moved—- “ That this Congress respectfully ask the Government to take into consideration at their earliest opportunity the question of providing for the teaching of technic si education in all possible and convenient places in the colony.” Carried.—Mr U. J. Hodge moved—“ That the number of vice-presidents be increased, allowing a vice president to be stationed in each centre of population here represented.” Carried —Mr E. Bradley moved—“ i hat this Congress give every support to the early closing movement, and hope to see associations started with the view of shortening the hours of labor of shopkeepers’ assistants in all towns represented at this Congress.” Carried.—Amongst the notices of motion at the Trades Congress is the following by Mr Hogg—“That in the event of the various city electorates being amalgamated, this Congress directs the executives of all trades and political associations or members of labor councils to select a working man to represent them at any forthcoming election which may tsko place for a member of the House of Representatives, and to do their utmost to secure his return. In the event of city electorates not being amalgamated that they select one electorate, and carry out the above, so that labor as well as capital may have direct representation. In connection with the Trades Congress, a grand procession of trade societies and employes was held on Saturday evening. It comprised altogether about 600 people, and was headed by three brass bands. It started from the Custom House square about 6.30, and first went south to the Cricket oval, then north along Princes and George streets to the Waiefof Leith, returning to the Garrison Hall, where it broke up. A public meeting was then held in the Garrison Hall and was attended at first by about 600 people, but only about half that number remained till the close. The Mayor of Dunedin (Mr Scou'lar) was in the chair, and the speakers were Messsrs Howland and Barnes of Christchurch, Thorn and Wells of Dunedin, Kimber and Harvey of Timaru, Tobin and Farnall of Auckland. The resolutions adopted recommended the formation of Working Men’s Associations, the imposition of protective duties, the abolition of plural voting, the legalisation of the eight hours’ sys.em, and the imposition of a land tax.