PAINTERS' FEDERATION OF EMPLOYEES

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 183, 29 April 1919, Page 3

PAINTERS' FEDERATION OF EMPLOYEES

ARBITRATION. COURT CRITICISED. A Dominion conference of the Painters' and Decorators' Employees' Federation was held in Christchurch last week. Mr. F. Cullen presided, and the following delegates were present:—Auckland, Mr. H. Horning; Gisborne, Mr. M. Beyers; Napier,. Mr. D. Golder; Wellington, Messrs. J. Salmon and F. Wallis; Nelson, Mr. F; Cullen; Christchurch, Messrs. G. Owen and AV: Bell; Timaru, Mr. G. E. Rowlings; Oamaru, Mr. H. Stickman; Dunedin, Mr. P. Wilson; Mr. F. Coru--well (Federal secretary). The conference adopted the following remits :— This conference strongly protests against the action of the Court of Arbitration, in instituting a system of classification, in the painting trade, without hearing evidence on the question and the objections from the representatives of the trado. ' That the executive urge the abolition of the Arbitration Court; that preater powers be extended to the conciliation councils that will provide for all disputes having to reach a final settlement; that a commissioner with duly accredited .assessors'only shall> sit in Conciliation Council. " _ • That in all matters conneoted with disputes before the Conciliation Council and Arbitration Court',. the" executive shall have full control. .

That conference reaffirm the demand flint'the use of white lead be prohibited in the painting .trade, and that the Painters and Decorators Health Protection Bill, be urged to ho put into' operation. That an inspector he appointed by the Government from • the' officials of local unions, with power to' inspect plant, ladders, and gear, and to condemn, and have destroyed, any such plant, etc., which they consider unsafe. That the executive draft a bill for the purpose of registration of painters, and the same be submitted to the unions for a plebiscite of the-members. That amendments be obtained to the 1.0. and A. .Act, for the purpose of obtaining a Dominion award, to have a Dominion clerk of awards appointed, to have one union in each trade throughout the country. That in all districts where painters' unions exist, an endeavour he made to establish building trades committees. That' the' conference approve nf the constitution l -of' the National Industrial Alliance of 'Labour, and the executive be instructed 'to use their hest endeavours to bring this.state'of organisation into being. '. ■The. executive be instructed to review the status of apprentices, both with.regard to the trade and the-operation of new awards. The question of the repatriation of returned soldier? as affecting the painting trade was referred to the executive with power to take such action as they deem fit. The conference • adopted the main clauses for a Dominion award, the local conditions to be supplied by each union. ' The executive of the Federation has teen appointed to Wellington. The next: conference will he held at Timaru during 1921.