TRADES COUNCIL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1443, 2 May 1905, Page 2

TRADES COUNCIL.

Ss (Per Press Association.). Wellington, last night. JO, A deputation representing Trade's Counand oils waited on the Premier to-day to plaee }re( j before him the recommendations of the ’ conference. The Premier stated he would deal with the matters as raised instead of waiting till the deputation had plaoed the whole before him. The first matter was the Shops Act. The deputation put before him the proposed exemptions. Mr Seddon regretted these had not been put in the Aot in the first place. It would be done l "‘ later. The law must be respected. The rom deputation next urged that statutory prelave ference be given to unionists. The Pre,ilat mier said this was intended by the original one Act, and Judge Williams had to so interpret it. There should be no half-way business, but the country needed educating to the advantages of unionism, both to I employers and employees. He believed they should revert to the conditions of the original Aot. He promised to enquire into the alleged unfair treatment of unionists I by a certain firm in JDunedin. The next • matter was Arbitration Court delay. Mr i PS' Seddon said he thought so long as there J 8 ‘" was work for the Court the Judge should I 3 not be taken away from it for Supreme 1 1 V* 8 Court work. If that was not sufficient 5 nB they must have a Court for each island. * n S He did not believe in Magistrates dealing* I c with enforcement of awards. I ,v t 0 Later. —Mr Seddon, replying to the I■* a ® Trades Council's deputation, said he did I c not think there was a chance of amending I c 1“ the words of the Compensation Aot so as I JI ; ' to provide for full wages being paid in the I & 8 > case of accident. He was in favor of the I minimum payment being £1 a week. It I was the intention of the State to establish I ?' coal depots that would bo a check on the I 1C existing monopoly. The question of a w ‘‘ State coal mine in the North Island would I . S have to be submitted to Parliament. He I “ did not think Parliament would ever | agree to break existing land leases. He I a agreed with the proposal that land should | lo * bo resumed at owners’ valuation plus ten I per cent, and he believed the time was not I far distant when the law would be amonded I t in that direction. He also agreed that aI 5? tenant should be given the value of all I improvements. As to an increase I , of .land taxation and reduction I of taxation on neoeesaries of life, I ? he admitted the present amount of j „ . V ; taxation received from the Customs was I kt, out of proportion to the amount received I .jMf, from direct taxation. He believed the I n „vf Legislative Council should be abolished. I & He was not in favor of making it elective, I 3 i as a revisory committee only was wanted, Tho Premier said he was opposed to the principle of an elective Executive. If it f USG was carried out they would have to do dvw, away with the power and responsibilities of the KiDg’s representative, to whom medi Ministers were responsible. What he .'a feared, however, was that selection by the iAn'dl House would bring about confusion and on ,V choou. Krn .