TRADES AND LABOUR CONFERENCE.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 12 April 1901, Page 3

TRADES AND LABOUR CONFERENCE.

[per press association.]

Dunedin, April 11. The Trades and Labour Conference carried resolutions asking that clause 40 of the Mines Act be amended so as to compel mine-owners to provide travelling rods for workmen as near as consistent to the main entrance of the mine and no person be allowed to have charge of a coal face unless he has had not less than two years' previous experience in a coal mine ; that these and other recommendations be .forwarded to the Coal Commissions. Also resolved that the Mining Act be amended in the direction of taking away from workmen the power to appoint two of their number to inspect any mine and that in lieu thereof the power of appointment be vested in the local Industrial Union of Workers. That the principal contained in clause 69 of the Coal Mines Act be inserted in the Mining Act for the purpose of providing for miners and their families in case of sickness or accident; and that royalty be charged on every ounce of gold produced in order to provide funds for that purpose.

That with the view to making it unnecessary to waste the time of boys in State schools with military drill Government be urged to make provision for a thorough system of Colonial defence by means of Bifle Clubs and rifle ranges in every district in the colony, the clubs to bo open to all men above the age of 17. A motion to suspend the Standing Orders to permit moving a resolution urging Unionists to support Union made on American tobacco was lost. It was resolved that Government be urged to repeal the clause in the Defence Act which allows of importation free of duty, of all military clothing, saddlery and equipment for bona fido Volunteer Corps.

Motions wero also carried urging an amendment, to the Shipping and Seamen's Act to provide tint articled seamen shall receive benefits under the Act whether articles havo expired or otherwise.

That every seaman shall satisfy the Superintendent of Mercantile Marine that he is competent to ship under the Acf of 1894.

That it be compulsory on all seamen, coastal or otherwise, to sign articles before the Superintendent of Mercantile Marine.

That Government see that proper laddors are provided in holds of vessels and hulks for seamen, and to appoint inspectors to examine gear, etc. at least once every six months, to see the proper ventilation, etc. is provided. That Government be urged to inaugurate a scheme of National Fire Insurance.