TIMBER WORKERS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 235, 28 June 1919, Page 8

TIMBER WORKERS

, CONFERENCE OF DELEGATES

REMITS ADOPTED YESTERDAY

The conference of delegates (o the New, Zealand Timber Workers' Federation resumed its- sessions yesterday. ' .All the delegates wore present. ' Mr. T. O'Hyrne (Southland) presided. | Mr. O'B.yrne moved: "That this conference strongly objccts to the stringent and vigorous regulations made by tho Government with regard to the'export ol' New Zealand timber, and in order to encourage the industry it urges the Government to adopt- a. more vigorous policv of reafforestation."—(Southland.) It was resolved that the matter be deferred pending an interview with the Minister in ohargc of Die Forestry Department. Later, the Minister was communicated with by telephone, and it was .discovered that he and the head of the Department were leaving at middav for the West Coast. The conference (Willed to protest, against the 1 action of the Government in conferring with the sawwill owners while ignoring the timber workers' union and the federation, which represented many thousands of workers iri tho industry.

It was resolved, upon the motion of Messrs. F. Tin-ley and H. Hunter: "That iu view of tho many accidents and deaths at sawmills, through defective' tram lines, bridges, skids, and slacking of timber, the conference urges the Government to nppoint a competent person to inspect same, in order to protect the lives of the timber workers of the .'Dominion." ( Mr. F. Fholan (Auckland) moved: That tho Government be requested to have a more rigid and regular inspection of. awards and machinery jn connection with the sawmilling industry, especially in connection with country sawmills." Ji'he motion was carried." Other resolutions were:---"That the advisory board be instructed to draw up a schedule of wages and conditions to govern - employment in wie j various classes of work to be performed by workers engaged in the iwitetry throughout the Dominion." "That in order to copo with tho everincreasing cost of living tho Government be urged to nationalise as many of the Dominion's industries as possible. To give effect to this the conference suggests that immediate steps be taken to nationalise tho banking, shipping, and coal industries."

"Thai: the Workers' Compensation Act 1)0 reviewed by Ihe conference, lor the uuruo.se of iinuroviim name'. suggesting amendments where required, and removing flie anomalies which Hie worters are «t present labouring uuder; that the findings of the conference be placed boforo tlu) Government; that the second schedule to the Act be amended to provido for 1. r >. per cent, for tho loss ot' pnrl: of tho left thumb, full medical expenses, and full pay during the period of incapacity, an increase in tho maximum to .67'105. per week, and an increase in Mho allowance lo dependants front rliiflO to ,I' 1000" in-ease of death.''

"That, the Government, take over the accident insurances as a Stale monopoly; and that all employers bo compelled to insure their workers in tho Statu ollicn."

"That the Government, bo asked .to niake a forty-four-hour week in all industries."

■ "That, in view of fho fact; that, the Slate will probably, by purchase or establishment of sawmills, enler more largely into the sawmilling industry, tho Government lio reiiiiesled to introduce special legislation in similar terms to the Coal Jlines Acl, IIIUS, whereby tho .Sfato may be cited or .joined as a party to a timber workers' nvard." The conference adjourned till this morning.