LABOR CONFERENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 79, 10 April 1901, Page 2

LABOR CONFERENCE.

(By Telegraph —Press Association.) Dunedin, last night. Tho Executive in their report to tho Trades and Labor Conference protests against the action of the Government in allowing tho Eight Hours Bill to bo dropped last session, and hope the labor organisations of the colony will use every effort to ensure tho passing of the Master and Apprentices Bill next session, thus giving greater facilities for arbitration in settlement of disputes. Tho excessive prices demanded for coal during tho past year had caused the Executive to approach the Premier with the result that he promised to endeavor to establish a State coal mine and put coal on the market at reasonable prices. The report further states that Mr Hornsby, member for Wairarapa, has undertaken to draft a Bill for the prevention of employment of females in unhealthy and injurious occupations. On the subject of federation, the Executive are of the opinion that to join the Commonwealth would retard the development of the industries of New Zealand, and would tend to centralisation of the wealth and industries" in the larger centres of population in tho Commonwealth. A resolution was carried urging the Government to appoint Inspectors under tho Arbitration Act, to prosecute for breaches, that employers of labor shall keep a wage book containing a direct record of all wagos paid, that such book be open for inspection of any person authorised by the local union, or any inspector appointed under the Act. Motions were carried to give Trades and Labor Councils the right to elect a member of the Arbitration Court; to amend the Factories Act to provide eight hours for five days and four on Saturday for females and boys, and a half-holiday for adult male workers of a registered factory ; owners to provide dining rooms ; all workers in factories to be under the Act. It was resolved to petition for the passing of an Eight Hours Bill ; that a Master and Apprentice Bill be passed ; deeds to be registed with the Inspector of Factories ; that Government should open up one or more State coal mines ; that duties on the necessaries of life that cannot be produced in the colony bo abolished, and the Land and Income Tax increased ; that Government establish tailoring, boot, saddlery, and harness manufacturing workshops ; that Government undertake the manufacture of ammunition, ordnance, arms, and munitions of war ; that second-hand dealers be licensed ; that there be a a reduction of weight of corn sacks ; that the Minister of Railways give preference to the employment of Unionists.