LABOUR DELEGATES IN CONFERENCE.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1979, 9 February 1914, Page 7

LABOUR DELEGATES IN CONFERENCE.

—;—_■ . I MOTION TO ABOLISH PENSIONS TO JUDGES. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright ' , (Reo. February 7, 10 a.m.) ' . Sydney, February 7. : A motioi in the Sydney.Labour Conference to abolish pensions to Judges and others in high positions was adopted . by 56. votes to 14 . . A motion in favour of quinquennial ; Parliaments, and another that Ministers should not be allowed to purchase on behalf of the State any business of the value of over £20,000 without the ap- ; proval of tho Labour caucus, were defeated. | 'MR GRIFFITH'S ABSENCE.* (Rec. February 8, 6.5 p.m.) ' Sydney, February 7. In connection with Mr. Griffith's absence from the conference, a letter was read from him in,.reply to an urgent telegram urging him, to attend. He stated that he was: unable to. be present, and declared that ho had no knowledge of any charge against him in connection with the enforcement of Arbitration awards. He assumed that the trouble had arisen owing to tlio fact that he had not. authorised any . alteration in the rato of wages, pending an appeal whioli had been lodged 1 against tho recent Federal award. He defended his attitude as being in accordance with the practice where appeals were sub judice. After disoussing the question of censuring Mr. Griffith; the conference ap- ■ pointed a committee, to inquiro into the ■ matter. .