TRADES AND LABOR COUNCIL.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 20 February 1901, Page 3

TRADES AND LABOR COUNCIL.

Wednesday, February 20,

(Continued from fourth page.)

Mr. Leitch moved that the motion carried yesterday re all coal being cut before being shot, be rescinded. Seconded by Mr. Green and carried. JUNES INSPECTION. Mr. Butts moved that the Mining Act bo altered to make it necessary for two independent men to inspect the mine. Seconbed by Mr. Green. Mr. Betts spoke at length in regard to ventilation and the inspection of the mines,

Mr. Russell was also in favor of the inspection by outside and independent men.

A number of members spoke in favor of the motion, one stating that at a certain gold mine the men wore not allowed to go down into the mine; while another said that employees were afraid to show the defects in case they might got the “ sack,”

The motion was carried by 10 to 1. ACCIDENT FUND.

Mr. Betts moved that the Mining Act bo amended by inserting the principal contained in clause 69 of the Coal Mines Act, by providing relief to the gold minors and their families in case of sickness, and that a royalty bo imposed on the gold produced. The mover spoke at length on the motion stating that the coal miners enjoyed an advantage not yet extended to gold miners. Ho advocated three pence per ounce produced. Several other members spoke in favor of the motion which was carried unanimously. STATE COAL JUNE. Mr Coppersmith moved that Government he urged to open a State coal mine. The speaker thought it a step in the right direction. —Motion carried unanimously. BAILWAY EMPLOYEES. Mr Bussell moved that the railway employees be brought under the powers of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act. ' Several members said this would also bring the wharf laborers under the Act. Motion carried.

Mr Bussell moved that the Government be requested to grant a holiday to their employees on Labor Day.—Carried.

Mr Betts moved that the Government he urged to extend the increase of wages to all their employees. Mr Coppersmith said that the rise should have been universal. —Carried. KAILWAY HAULAGE. Mr Patx moved that the Government be requested to equalise the haulage charges on the railways. He said it would he a great assistance to the mines further away from the ports, Mr Betts spoke in similar terms. He said that the railways ought to be run in the interests of the people of the colony. Motion carried. Mr Betts moved that Government be urged to amend clause 99 in the Industrial and Arbitration Act, by striking out the words “And that the proposal shall be deemed to bo carried, but not unless the majority of all members of an Industrial Union or of a governing body of an Industrial Association be favorable.” He stated that those words were hard to get over in|a largo and scattered district such as Reefton.—Seconded and carried. OLD AGE PENSIONS. Mr Coppersmith moved that the old age pensions should bo given at the age of CO years to men who have worked underground for ten years, and that the words “ property ” should be struck out. —Carried. Resolved “That this Conference urge upon the Government the necessity of making the old age pensions universal.” workman's compensation. Mr Betts moved that a committee consisting of the Chairman, Messrs Coppersmith, Bret, Leech, Shaw and Maddison be set up to enquire into the above.— Carried. LAND AND TAXATION. Mr Betts moved that the Government bo requested to extend the principle of acquiring the land for settlement purposes. Mr Foster seconded and was carried. Mr Betts moved “That the Government bo requested to reduce the duties on the necessaries of life, and raise the land tax.” Mr Green seconded. Motion was carried unanimously. Adjourned till 2 p.m,