COST OF LIVING

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2198, 10 July 1914, Page 10

COST OF LIVING

THE TRADES HALL CONFERENCE.

The conference of unions convened by the Trades and Labour .Council in respect to the living resumed in the Trades Hall last .night: Mr. JV M'Koiizie presided:over a large attendance of , delegates. The first notice of motion: "That statutory powers be granted to- the Arbitration Court to fix wages in accordance wtih the rise and fallof the cost of living," led to ;aii'animated discussion, and it was decided that intoriding.members of Parliament' should be asked to advocate and support a law basing wages on the cost of living. , ' '■''"■ 1 The second notice of motion regarding tho establishment of municipal dairy farming was (•briskly discussed, and it was resolved'that tie Wellington City .Council.be'-urged to establish municipal dairy farming, arid thus, amongst other things,-insure a. pure , ' milk , supply for the city. ; . .■'.:. ...'.., : .

Tlie third motion, irith'..regard to State competition with, monopolies, was. dealt with very fully by,, the delegate's,' aiid' it was eventually carried unanimously. ', ' " •'; :-. ■-. At this stage of the meeting it was decided that the' Prime Minister.'should be approached and urged to give. effect to the findings of -the .Cost of .Living Commission, .as amended by the.conference .'.. The: following. delegates were ap; pointed as;a ; deputation:r-;MeEefs.; 'J.: M'Kenzie,,.!. Read, Mi .Jfaddisou, ,'M. Laracy, aiid, M'. J. Reardoii :' It: was'. further decided to communicate with each member of' Parliament,' urging them- to' w.ork,.'streh'u6usly'-' to bring into operation the findings of, tike' Commission als.amended... ',' .' '.'"

Several':.visiting, delegates, attending the Labour Union Conference now being held , 'iii tho.City, attended the meeting, and: pronounced ,their, approval of the attitude of the Trades and Labour Council in this.important .matter. TKejv requested' leave to address the meeting, and;• urged; delegates to endeavour to secure th« unity of.'.Labour. ~",•.

The , conference the'n-jadjourned till Thursday,. July 23,' when-'thp-matter,of. the formation of- co-operative >o;ieties will bo - considered. ' ;'" ~. ' ;' ;