LABOUR FEDERATION.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1103, 17 April 1911, Page 4

LABOUR FEDERATION.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE. A CONSTITUTIONAL PUZZLE. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) Christchurch, April 15. Tho animal conference of the Trades and Labour Councils' Federation of Labour was opened at the Trades Hall this morning. The following delegates were present: Christchurch—Messrs. G. R. Whiting, J. Ycung, 11. Laracy, and I). J. Howard. Duiiediu—Messrs. K. 13reen, E. Chetwiu, J. linyucs, and the lion. J. T. Paul. Southland—Messrs. M. J. i'orde and H. J. Farraut. Wellington—Mes-rs. D. M'Laren, M.P., E. J. Carey, 11. J. Heardon, and W. T. Young. South Canter-bury-Mr, J. Header. Auckland-Messrs. H. J. Kemp and U. L. Homing. East Coast—Mr. J. E. Turner. Waterside Workers-Messrs. F. Lurch and W. Bate. •Alter some, discussion the delegates as appointed were approved of. Mr. M. J. keardou (Wellington) was appointed president of the conlereucc, aud ilr. J. Young (Uiristchurch) was appointed secretary. It was, i-usolved tuut the conlerenco should be open io the public aud tno press, except during committee stages. A letter was read ironi the ironmasters' Association, asking il the coulerunco would receive u deputation relative to luo proposed laiill on importations ull'cdmg industry, and it was resolved to receive the deputation at 10 a.m. on Tuesday. The following sub-conimitteo was _efr up to deal with the question of a pupen-Messis. M. Laracy (Christchurch); it. J. iarrant (Southland); 11, J. Kemp (Auckland); W. T. Young (Wellington); It lireen (JJuuedin); and V. Hate (Waterside Workers). Tho annual report of the executive stat- : ed that, in. accordance with instructions, the executive arranged a meeting at Chrislchurch with representatives oi tho Miners' Federation ot' Labour with the object of endcavourinj to bring about an amalgamation of the two Federations of Labour at present in existence. The conference lasted the whole of one day, but all efforts to bring about an amalgamation, failed. The executive circularised tho unions of the Dominion in reference to the retirement of Mr. E. Treecar from tho position of Secretary of Labour aud suggested that his retirement would be au opportune time for showing their appreciation of tho good work ho had done oil behalf of the workers of the Dominion. Tho appeal resulted in a, sum of over .£IOO boiug subscribed. After, conferring with the various councils, the executive decided that tho presentation should take the form of an address to Mr. Trcgear, and a purse containing tho balance of the money subscribed to Mrs. Tregear. Arrangements had been made for making the presentation at a smoke concert, which would be tendered to tho visiting delegates on Thursday next. The attention of the executive having been.drawn to the fact that Professor W. T. Mills, M.A., of Milwaukee,, U.S.A., wr.s in Australia, lecturing under the auspices of tho Labour party, tho executive got into communication with> him, and made arrangements for a lee-, hiring tour of the Dominion, commenc-' ing early in June, under the auspices of the Trades and Labour Councils.' Acting under instructions from the last conference, the executive had arranged for a conference of representatives of tho various branches of the New Zealand Labour party to be held at tho close of tho conference of representatives of the Federation of Labour. The Wellington blanch of the Labour party was desirous of holding the conference on Good Friday and Saturday, but they made the request too late to enable tho executive to obtain the consent of othec branches. However, (ho executive had fixed the date of opening for next Wednesday, when it was hoped most of the important business of tha Federation Conference would be disposed of, and thus delegates representing both bodies would bo enabled to bo present. The Wellington Council requested that tho conference be postponed until a later date out of consideration for those delegates who were candidates for municipal honours, but that request also canio too late to enable the executive to obtain (he consent of tho other councils. ■ | Tho question of registration of tho federation had received much consideration from the executive, and at present there appeared to be some doubt as to whether it could l>o registered, as constituted. The Labour Department had intimated that registration could not be effected under the Conciliation and Arbitration Act, as that Act only provided for registrations of unions and associations, comprising individual workers and associations of two or more unions. There waa no provision for rczistrntion of a federation of botli associations and unions. Tho executive had also been informed that registration could only be> effected under tho Unclassified Societies Act on tho application of five bodies already incorporated under tho Incorporated Societies Act, or some other Act of Parliament. Neither of" tho councils affiliated were registered under any Act as district councils. Tho only way out of the dilhcultv appeared to Iμ in an amendment of the constitution to accept unconditionally individual unions, or by substituting "Trades and Labour Councils" for "di*-i trict. councils." A remit denims with , the question, had been placed on tho order-paper. The roixirt was received. j The conference resumes at 9.30 a.m. oa Monday.. _____