FEDERATION OF LABOUR

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 238, 2 July 1919, Page 8

FEDERATION OF LABOUR

ANNUALCONFERENCE OPENED

The annual tonfercnco of the United Federation of Labour opened at tho Trades Hall yesterday. The national president (Mr. T. Bloodworth) was in the and the following delegates were present:—Canterbury District Council, 'Messrs. H. T. Armstrong, H. Worrall, and J. Dickson; ' Otago Jfistrict Miss J. Runciman, Hon. J. T. Paul, i,(.L.C., and Mr. J. S. Loydall; Southland District Council, Mr. T. o'Byrne; Auckland District Council, Messrs. J. Purtell, B. Martin, and H. L. Horning; West Coast Goneral Labourers and Mechanics, Mr. H. E. Holland; national secretary, Mr. Hiram Hunter. The annual report, which was presented by the secretary, referred to the work done by the executive during the year. The Government had been induced to grant tho Arbitration Court power to ( review, awards, owing to the increased cost of living, but tho increases in pay secured from the Court had not yet placed tho workers on a pre-war basis as far as purchasing power was concerned. Tho executive, in accordance with the instructions of the last conference, had placed tile decisions mf the open congress of trades unions beforo tho Government, "thereby giving the National Cabinet a 6chemo for industrial organisation to work.upon if it had any sincere desire to do anything to ameliorate tho unsatisfactory state of affairs existing." So far nothing had been done. Recently a letter was sent'to the Acting-Prinfe Minister requesting him to call a representative conference cf employers and workers to discuss the position. A reply was received stating that the matter wa6 receiving his serious consideration, and recently the Hon. W. H. Herrics had' written expressing the opinion that the matter had better be deferred until the return of the Prime Minister, Sir James Allen, however, last week, had expressed, a wish for a supply of further copies of the pamphlet issued by the National Executive, and had indicated that he was consulting representatives of the employers on the question of holding a national conference of all parties at an early date. "In reference to our own domestic affairs," continued the report, "the position is somewhat similar to that of twelve months ago. The Gisborno and Hawke's Bay district councils have not exhibited any signs oj .life or any indication of returning to a sphere of usefulness," said the report. - Five new affiliations had been effected. There was a pronounced, tendency for some district councils to develop into academic debat-. ing societies and to neglect, if "not totally ignore, their function of organising all the workers in their respective districts, and to leave such work to the enterprise of individual enthusiasts. In other directions there were signs of a better fighting spirit, particularly among the tramway men, vlio hnd been submitting to intolerable conditions for far too long. "This increased activity," dated the report, "was caused mainly by the stiffenreturned soldiers who liavo learned not a little of the ways of the gentle capitalist and exploiter during their sojourn with the Army, and like those in the Labour movement they are determined to keep green the statement that war was being fought to make the world safe for democracy. It is up to the working class to see that it is so." The following remits, submitted by the National i Executive, wero adopted:—l. "That the constitution be amended, so as to provide that the secretary shall be elected by, and be under the control of the National Executive." 2. "That the conference approve the constitution of the National Alliance of Labour, and recommend its adoption to all affiliated bodies." 3. "Tnat the conference approve tho action of the National Executive in affiliating with the National Alliance of Labour, and instructs the incoming national executive to renew affiliation." ' . • , The conference resolved to co-operate with the Labour Party in approaching tho Government by deputation, to ask for the repeal of the War Regulations Act and the immediate cancellation of "all provisions that restrict the 'freedom of action of the workers". The constitution of the National Alli.ance of Labour was discussed by the conference, and its adoption was appioved. The conference adopted a remit from the Canterbury Printers' Machinists Union, asking the Government to provide be legislation that all workers should he paid for public holidays. • It was decided that !he National Executive should be located at Auckland for the ensuing year, and the following officers were elected:—President, Mr. L. Bloodworth; vice-president, Mr. H. L. Horning; secretary and treasurer, Mr. Ji. Martin. ' A vote of thanks and appreciation waa accorded to tho retiring fieciotarj, Mr. Hiram Hunter. ' . A letter was received from the Napier Chamber of Commerce, asking the conference to support the demand for a universal Saturday half-holiday. It was decided to support the demand. The conference resolved to co-operate with the Labour Party in any steps taken to secure the release of conscientious objectors and other offenders against the Military Service Act and War Regulations. ' ~ ,1. . \.-i After discussion regarding the Arbitration Court, the following motion was adopted: "That this conference reaffirms its dissatisfaction with tho Arbitration Court and the present administration of the Conciliation and Arbitration Act, and supports the alternative systeni of control of industry as laid down in the report of the federation executive in respect to the Conciliation and Arbitration The conference adjourned until today-