LABOR MATTERS.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 379, 2 April 1902, Page 4

LABOR MATTERS.

(Per Press Association). AUCKLAND, last night. 'Hie Trades and Labor Conierence this morning elected Mr Cooper as Chairman and Mr Naughton as secretary. It was moved that the Conier:nce urge an increase of the land tax, abolition of the exemption, and corresponding decrease of duties on the necessaries of life which cannot be produced in the colonies, lhe amendment was carried. Mr O’Regan wrote suggesting a conference with the Premier to maKe proposals to the Imperial Government re settlement in South Alrica on humane principles, reserving Lhe gold mines for white labor, and keeping the urink traffic in .the hands of the State. The letter was formally received. At the Trades and Labor Conference the report regretted that very few proposals of the last conference forwarded to the Government had become law. Conciliation had worked well. The executive did not object to the direct reference of disputes to arbitration if both parties agreed, but regarded the appointment of special boards as a retrograde step. They complained of the delay in making awards, the failure of the Court to grant preference to unionists in a number ol cases and the refusal to limit the nurnuer ol hoys. However, the Court had fixed such scandalously low wages for boys that they, would not go to many trades on any termsj ’I hero was still an inclination to give outside manufacturers preference to supply colonial requirements, notably saddlery, and clothing. Referring to the statements that unionism had been the cause of closing certain industries, the report remarked that dividends were keeping up or increasing in an increased number of factories. Close fedcration was necessary throughout the colony, and a united method of enforcing claims on the Government to meet the aggressive movement of the employers’ association. Mr Fawcusmoved that mention he made of the Flour Trust. This was agreed toTlie report as amended was adopted. DUNEDIN, last night. r i’he Victoria Labor Commission met this morning at the Supreme Court. All the members were present, also Mr Tregear. Evidence was given by William Scott, President of the Master Tailors’ Society, anil Vice-Presi-dent of the Otago Employers’ Association The main contention of ins evidence was that the Arbitration Act had undoubtedly increased the cost oi living. M.any amendments could undoubtedly be made in it. At the same time lie preferred working under the Act to no Act at all. Robert Ferguson, secretary of the Bootmakers’ Union, and a member of the Otago Conciliation Board, said the Act had abolished strikes and established a kindly feeling between employers and employes-. He was strongly in favor of tile preference clause to unionists, and stated that in the hoot trade the decrease in the number of hands employed was 25 per cent., owing to the introduction or machinery. Mr Belcher, secretary of the Seamen’s Union, considered the ’Act a benefit to workers and the country at large. He also believed in Conciliation Boards as necessary, but would not increase their power. He testified to the kind feeling existing between employer and employes. He did not believe that the Act was breaking down. He opposed solicitors acting in the Arbitration Court. THE DEVON’S TRIP.

(Per Press Association. ) AUCKLAND, last night

A correspondent on the Devon, describing the storm encountered on the voyage to Sydney, states that it commenced on Friday morning, and increased rapidly. ' One hundred men were on dutv during the night. The seas breaking aboard carried the wash house overboard, and injured three of the horses so badly that they were destroyed. Four more were nursed till noon, and then thrown over. The steamer was passing through a cyclone and terrible seas came from all quarters. The course was altered to save the horses, and up to noon they only steamed H 7 miles. There were a number of minor casualties, and much seasickness. On Sunday the gale abated, but the steamer was rocking badly. Two more horses were lost. The remainder of the passage was fine. Eight stowaways were discovered in the Devon, named J. Smith, W. Knight, A. J. Hills, H. Elliott, J. T. Clark, and A. B. Omrod. Six proved fit, and were added to the contingent. Two were rejected.