DRIVERS' FEDERATION.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1721, 11 April 1913, Page 5

DRIVERS' FEDERATION.

♦— . (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Christchurch, April 10. The conference of delegates representing unions affiliated to tho Drivers' Federation resumed to-day. Remit No. 5 (Wanganui): "That this conference take into consideration the question of tho reconstitution of tho Arbitration Court," was agreed to on the motion of Messrs. Conchio and Purtell: Mr. C. Weaver moved: "That any mo•tion agreed to on this question fee referred to the July Unity Conference, as a recommendation from tho Drivers' Federation." Mr. J. Rogers seconded the motion which was carried. Mr. A. Parlane moved: "That the president of the Arbitration Court be elected by the people of the Dominion for a period of three years." . Mr. A. Mooro seconded tho motion which was carried. Remit 6 (Dunedin No. 2): "That tho federation of drivers approve of and endorse the decisions of tho January Trade Union Conference in the matter of creating one industrial and one political organisation and that, when drivers becomo affiliated with such industrial organisation, the capitation payable to the Drivers' Federation shall be such as will cover the payment of capitation to the central body, and the federation shall-bo responsible for the payment of capitation for all its affiliated unions," was adopted. Remit No. 7 (Canterbury): "That tho Workers' Compensation Act be amended to provide for the payment of full wages during incapacity from accident, and an allowance for medical expenses not exceeding JDIO be provided for." This was carried. , Remit No. 2 (Napier): "That combined action should be taken with every, allied organisation in the Dominion to securo the following amendments to the Compensation Act: (a) Inspectors should be given the_ same powers as thoso under tho Factories and Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act; (b) magistrates should be given power to adjudicate in cases for breach of tho Act." Carried. Remit 8 (Auckland) was amended to read as follows:—"That the Labour Congress in July be requested to lay the question of drivers' hours, and conditions of labour, before Parliament during its sitting in July, and request Parliament to, legislate for an eight-hour day for all* workers." Remit 10 (Canterbury): "That a deputation bo appointed by the conference to wait upon tho Minister for Railways and urge him to prohibit all carting to or from railway goods-sheds or yards after noon on Saturdays." Adopted. Remit 11 (Wanganui): Tho question of a more complete preference clause was met by tho following motion:—"That, in view of the fact that any amendment to existing law can only be effected by a national movement and the direct representation of workers by their own representatives in Parliament, the wholo attention of drivers should be concentrated upon the consolidation of the labour forces, aud, in tho meantime, no effort should be spared to accomplish such at the July Congress. The decisions of tho said congress, with reference to amendments to existing legislation, to bo accepted as the requirements of organised labour." Remit 12 (Auckland No. 5) was amended on tho motion of Messrs. Purtell and Weaver: —"That, iu the caso of workers being dismissed because of their union activity, or becauso they are firm in endeavouring to obtain their just rights, tho Federation recommends tho Labour Congress in July to advise all unions to down' tools until tho worker concerned has been reinstated or compensated." Remit 13 (Wanganui No. 1): "That, owing to tho incapacity of the Labour Department, tlip Federation requests the removal of tho present Secretary of tho Labour Department, and appointment of an official who will give effect to labour legislation." Adopted. Resolved: "That inspectors of factories in the various centres bo given, a freo hand in taking cases for breaches of awards without having to first refer the matter to the head office of the Labour Department for approval, as at present." Mr. A. Parlano moved: "That every union be given power to take proceedings forbreaeli of award on such action being approved by a majority of members assembled at a general or special meeting, and that the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act be amended in that direction." Motion carried.