LABOUR CONGRESS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2509, 9 July 1915, Page 8

LABOUR CONGRESS

'REMITS AND MOTIONS CARRIED , The Labour Congress 'continued its deliberations yesterday. Tho official report shows that. tiho' following remits and motions -wore carried during tho morning:— "That the congress discuss tho matter of the refusal by Judge Stringer to give preference 'to thoso unions which went on strike." —-Auckland Painters' Union. "That this conference offers its emphatic protest against the action of the various arbitration unions in closing their books against legitimate workers of good character, thus nullifying the main principle of the Arbitration Act, ahd that 1 thisconference' is of tho opinipn that the action of 'those bodies is supported by the Government, denying hundreds.-of hone3t 'workers tho right to ' live." —Auckland General Labourers' UniolK' • "That the. Government he urged..to amend the Factory Act so as to provide that the hours of labour in all bakers' ■ and pastrycooks' establishments shall not exceed 44 per week in the case of factories where machinery is used, and .45 hours per Week in factories where no machinery is used; such hours to be worked between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. on five days of the week ,and between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturdays. When . two consecutive holidays occur in any week, the hours may bo worked between. 6 a.m. and 4 p.m., provided always'that it shall be unlawful for an' employer to require his employees to oommence work at an earlier hour .than that hereinbefore prescribed for the: several occasions mentioned. ■ Any employer found guilty of a breach of this provision shall be Liable to a fine of £10 for cadi offence."—Wellington Operative . Bakers" and Pastryc'ooks' Union.. /. v : " "Tliat this. Congress of Labour .delegates enters : its- emphatic protest I against the continued and increasing .exploitation of. the people ' of Now Zealand by those controlling foodstuffs; that such exploitation is more dangerous and ' inexcusable at this time of na-tional-'crisis, when our people are menaced by tho;enemy outside our gates; that any Government with the smallest ' pretensions to statesmanship would, have secured to" tho people a regular and moderate-priced supply of the necessaries of life produced in our country; that tho inactivity and incompetence of the Government to protect our people against .the exploiter within our gates merits the. severest censure; and that this congress affirms its convictions that the people's interests will only be pro-' teeted: and safeguarded by 'the elimination. of the exploiter and his political representatives when Labour is , fully organised industrially and placed in: political power,'.' . - . . ' Reorganisation Scheme. : 'At the. afternoon session a scheme, for organising the unorganised and organised workers was brought down, by' a''sub-committee, set up for the purpose, and the scheme was., carried unanimously by the members present, representing 63 unions.The scheme, will not disturb the entity of 'the existing unions, but it will- be a scientific means of. consolidating tho ranks of Labour throughout New . Zealand. , It was decided that the scheme be rereferred, to the United Federation of Labour . for their consideration, and also that a deputation from unaffiliated unions;,be set : -up : to wait upon them .with a view of .bringing about complete, unity on the., lines laid down by the scheme, and all delegates present pledged themselves to use thoir best efforts within their unions and.districts to give effect to the'decision of congress. Six-Hour Day. 'A motion was put forward For a sixhour, day. for men working in the Otira tuiuiel, and 'also to 'bring them' under the: Mining. Act. The mover described the conditions worked by men engaged I in' this .clas. of work, stating that', ho often- came out , thoroughly drenched and considerably affected by the fumes' caused by the use of dynamite.—The resolution was carried:' unanimously, and ii deputation was set up tb' wait upon the Minister of Public' Works. It was decided unanimously"That a. Royal Commission be set up to inquire into the irregularities in connection with tho registration of women under, the Industrial, Conciliation, and Arbitration Act by tho Labour' Department." ' ' " •

A resolution to hold the annual congress at .Easter instead of in July was negatived by : majority voto.