LABOR CONFERENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 80, 12 April 1901, Page 3

LABOR CONFERENCE.

, MOKE IiESOLUTIONS. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) - Dunedin, Inst night. The Trades and Labor Council to-day carried resolutions asking that clause 40 of the Mines Act be amended so as to compel mine-owners to provide travelling roads for workmen as near as consistent to tho main entrance to the mine; that no person shall be allowed to have charge of a coal face without having had not less than two years’ experience of a coni mine. These and other recommendations are to be forwarded to the Coal Commission. It was 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 in lieu thereof .the power of appointment be vested in tht local industrial union of workers: that the principle 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 ease of sickness or accident : and that a royalty be charged on every ounce of gold produced itt order to provide funds for that purpose ; that, with the view of making it unnecessary to waste the time of boys in State schools

with military drill, the Government be 1 urged to make provision for a thorough system of colouial defence .by means of rille clubs and rifle ranges in every district of the colony, and clubs open to all men above the ago of 17. Later. A motion to suspend the standing orders to permit the moving of a resolution, urging unionists to support unionmade American tobacco, was lost. It was resolved that Government be urged to repeal the clause in the Defence Act, which allows of the importation free of duty of all military clothing, saddlery, and equipment for bona-fide volunteer V corps. Motions were carried urging the amendment of the Shipping'and Seamen's Act, -to provide that articled seamen shall receive benefits under the Acb.whcthcr the articles have expired or otherwise; that a seaman shall satisfy the Superintendent of Mercantile Marine that he is competent to ship under the Act 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 safeguards are provided in holds of vessels aud hulks for seamen, and to appoint inspectors to examine gear, etc., at least once every six months to see that proper ventilation, etc., is provided; that Government be urged to inaugurate a scheme of national fire insurance,