LABOUR CONFERENCE.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 875, 22 July 1910, Page 5

LABOUR CONFERENCE.

FEDERATION PROPOSALS. THE ARBITRATION LAW. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Auckland, July 21. The conference of delegates of the Trades and Labour Council was resumed this morning, Mr. G. R. Whiting (Canterbury) being in the chair. Tho following recommendation from Duncdin was referred to the Platform Committee:—"That the conference be requested to recommend the Trades Councils, or District Councils, to establish labour representation councils in each centre, such councils to consist of representatives of nil organised labour or progressive bodies, the councils to have a free hand in the framing of their constitution and righting platform, provided such constitution and platform does not interfere with ihe general principles of federation of labour." In moving, on behulf of the East Coast: "That the Government lo urged to fix separate days for general elections and local option poll," Mr. Long said in Gisborne the question of local option completely overshadowed tho political issue, and interfered with the chances of tho Labour candidate. Thb motion was thrown out. . Mr. Howard (Canterbury) moved to amend tho Conciliation and Arbitration Act by deleting, in Part 1, Section 3, "number of workers who," and inserting "union the members of which." At present the Act said that a strike meant the act of any number of workeia. Thej wanted the Act to read: "The term strike means the act of any union of workers." At present a few men might bring about a strike without reference to the union at all. Mr. Sullivan, who seconded, said they wanted it called a strike if decided on by the union, but if ono or tv.-o individuals combined to act it should be regarded as a breach of award. The motion was carried. Several other amendments hanging on this proposed alteration were also carried. With regard to the .clause providing penalties for breach of awards it was decided to recommend: "Section 2-4, delete all the words alter 'no' in the second to last line, and add 'members of an industrial union of workers shall not be liable for a larger sum than A's, and no member of an industrial association ol employers shall bo liable for a larger sum than .£25.'" It was resolved to suggest the amendment of Section 35, the effect of which would lie to enable the Conciliation Council to demand the production of an 1 employers' book of profit and loss in tho event of him setting up the defence that his profits would not permit him to make any increase in the wages. Another amendment supported would have the effect of giving an agreement arrived at by ilm parties before tfie Conciliation Council, the effect of an award of the Court upon the parties signing a requisition to that, effect to the Court. Mr. T. Long moved, on behalf of East Coast:—"That the Government'bo urged to make it illegal for public bodies to use their funds to aid . employers in combating the benefits conferred on workers by the Arbitration Act." The mover and several other delegates complained of local bodies joining forces with tho Employers' Association, whose acknowledged function was to fight the workers. Mr. Savage considered that the use of borough funds to join im Employers' Association, as in the case at Palmerston North, was quite illegal, and should be tested. The motion was carriod unanimously, and it was further agreed, at Mr. Long's suggestion, to advisa the incoming executive to get legal opinion oil the matter. The ■ conference adopted tho Auckland Council's recommendation to devise a, scheme to. bring Labour closer together, and heal many breaches now existing, with a further suggestion by Mr. O'Byrno for the appointment of a committee to "j devise a scheme for bringing different sections together. By 13 vules 'a 4 the conference adopted a committee recommendation that a Federation of Labour Ire brought into existence with as little delay as,possible, that the incoming executive' be instructed to send circulars to all unions, federations, and councils which have signified their intention to join the federation, intimating that next conference will bo held in accordance with the constitution of the federation, date, and place to be decided at a conference. The committee further recommends that the executive council of the New Zealand Miners' Federation should arrange o. conference, with a view to amalgamation, and that it 100 a recommendation to ask the local council to use its full endeavours to work harmoniously with all labour and progressive bodies. Tho recommendation was adopted.