LABOUR CONGRESS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2507, 7 July 1915, Page 4

LABOUR CONGRESS

| OFFICIAL REPORT The Combined Congress of Trades Unions, convened by the United Federation of Labour, opened in Wellington yesterday. Officials of tho gathering supplied the following report of the proceedings, to which tlio Press wore not admitted:— . .. Mr. D. G. Sullivan, president of tho United Federation of Labour, opened the proceedings, and welcomed the delegates. Mr. Sullivan said, in regard to the need for reorganisation and greater co-operation in the trades union movement, that a great deal of money which was now being. spent could be saved if moro businesslike" methods were adopted. On the subject of the cost of living, he said that the figures recently compiled by the Government Statistician disclosed an increase which could be held to. represent a decrease in wages, and that was a substantial reason for a demand by workers for an increase in pay. Mr. John Rigg was elected president of the congress. He said that some industrial progress had been made during the past year, but lie believed that the political organisation of tho workers was more backward now than during the past twenty years. He hoped the congress would establish a system by which that state of tilings. would be remedied. 1 Tlie following committees were sot up:—Press Committee, Messrs. D. G. Sullivan, W. M'Arlow, and J. Roberts. Credentials Committee: Messrs. L. Glover, E. Canham, and E. Woodham, Standing Orders Committee:, Hon. J. T. Paul, Messrs. E. Howard, F. Robson, C. Wrenn, and J. Dowgray. Mr. W. Power (Inangahua miners) moved: "That the congTess should make representation to the Government asking that Section 14 of the ..Mining Act be amended so as to enable the workmen's inspector to have tho Bame privileges as are now extended to the Inspector of Mines in respect of. the frequency of visits of inspection?' Mr. E. L. Elliott seconded the remit, which was- supported by Messrs. J. Dowgray and J, Roberts, and carried.

Mr.' P. O'Rourko (State Collieries) moved: "That owing to the, Liverpool section of the State Coal Mines working very slack time, this congress urges upon the Government, tlie necessity for, procuring State colliers to carry State coal, and also using State -coal on the railways, and thereby developing the industries of tho people for tho people." Mr. John Dowgray, who seconded the motion, said that the Government was importing hugo quantities of coal, and West Coast miners were losing many working days as a result. The only way to remedy the situation was for the Government to free itself from the Union Steam Ship Company and provide its own colliers. Mr. E. Canham supported tho motion. Mr. M. J. Reardon suggested an addition, extending-the scope of the remit to cover tlio administration of tho depots. Mr. R. Semple said it was useless going to Ministers of the Crown, who were themselves under the control of the monopolies. The congress must create a fighting organisation that would compel the Government to listen. The rennt was carried.

/Mr, John Dowgray (Coal Miners' Federation) moved: "That the Government should be.'asked to enact .a law whereby information regarding the selling price of coal will be available in all coaling pcrts;"' The motion was seconded by Mr. P. O'Rourke, and carried. Mr. Dowgray (West Coast miners) moved: "That a minimum wage be established in all coal-mines." Mr. P. O'Rourke seconded tho motion. .During the discussion, Mr.'E.-J. Howard said the minimum wage would become the maximum. It was a dangerous proposition. Mr. D. ,G..Sullivan supported the motion, contending that once the prin-. ciple was established the vote of the workers would be a constant inducement to politicians .to increase ' the ! wage. Mr. J. Roberts said that he was convinced that the passing of a minimum wage would transfer the activities of. the trade unions to members of Parliament. Mr. M. J. Reardon said that h'e would not accept % proposal for Parliament to fix a minimum wage. There were _any amount of men, now working, piecework, who would not go back to the day labour system. The remit -was carried. Mr. P. O'Rourke (West Coast miners) moved- a motion favouring tho "entire abolition of the contract system in coal-mines.'' , Mr. J. Dowgray seconded the mo-, tion. . Mr. Semple saidS that in making a general condemnation, of the -contract system, without qualification, the congress' would be doing something that he would not concur in. Ho preferred the eo-operativo' contract system, a thousand times to-the competitive wago system. " ' Mr. J. Barlow said that the contract system operating in coal-mines was. a hideous thing that ought to bo abolished. Mr. H. "Campbell, said that if tho miners wanted the day. labour system let them have it. . Mr. M. J. Reardon said that the Canterbury slaughtermen, who were working'on the contract system, would double the wages' earned by the' ' employees of the Cbristchuvch City Council, who worked on" the day labour system. ' ' ' .? The motion was earned. ' At tliis stage Mr. J. M'Cembs, M.P., entered, the conference, and was accorded a; hearty welcome by the delegates. Mr.' M'Combs said that lie recognised the necessity of the Labour M.P.'s keeping in close touch with the industrial side of the movement, knd he waß convinced that when their number was increased. the work of the 'Labour 1 members would be more effective. The conference will be continued to-. day.. . .- '■'