LABOUR FEDERATION.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16256, 5 July 1918, Page 9

LABOUR FEDERATION.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE. The annual conference of the United Federation of Labour was opened at> Wellington on Wednesday morning. Mr E. J. Howard, of Christchurch, national president of the Federation, occupied the chair. The annual report of the executive stated that matters dealt with at the last conference were duly placed before the Government, both "by means of deputation immediately after tho conference and by correspondence subsequently. "During the year many efforts- were made to induce the Government to give consideration to vital matters, but, we regret to state, our efforts have had little effect, and we consider the time has arrived when the labour organisations of New Zealand should seriously consider whether it would not _be better to cease making representations to the Government, and concentrate all our energies to the work of organising for the purpose of ousting the Government from office and securing the reins of office ourselves. With this end in view we suggest that the question of organising be given pride of place at this conference, as we must all admit that if the workers are thoroughly organised on the industrial field that tho political situation will immediately reflect the result. The workers, of New Zealand have yet to learn that a solid united national organisation of workers is essential tp their welfare, and the lack of support of the national body by a majority of the trades unions in New Zealand is reflected in the indifference of r the Government to the legitimate demands of Labour."

The report contains a strong protest against the prolongation of Parliament, and details the receptions arranged for those who had been imprisoned as a result of the speech suppression laws." The allowing Mr Semple, of tho Miners' Federation, to organise on behajf of the United Federation of Labour, a portion of the salary to be paid by the latter body, was referred to the conference. Referring to the coal miners it is stated that the Coal Miners' Federation has decided to form an amalgamation with the frold and qnartz miners, thus bringincr into being a wider and stronger body. > The final nuestion touched unon has to do with Samoa, and it is stated that the proposal that the question regarding its retention or otherwise should be left entirely to the Peace Conference, was endorsed by 99 oer cent of the unions and district councils which replied to a communication sent out.

(press association tixegbak.) ' WELLINGTON, July .4. The- Labour Federation urged the serious need of Government investigation of the methods employed by manufacturers in fixing prices of articles whereon factory employees' earnings are calculated. It was resolved: "That the Arbitration Act be amended to provide for compensation being paid to workers from the dato of an accident." A remit: "That all wealth above a certain income be conscripted." was referred to the Political Conference. Mr T. Bloodworth (Auckland) was elected president, arid Mr H. Morning (Auckland) vice-president, a,nd Mr Hiram Hunter (Christchurch) secretary. The National Executive for the current year will be located in Auckland.