EMPLOYERS’ CONFERENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1553, 8 September 1905, Page 2

EMPLOYERS’ CONFERENCE.

'(Per Press Association.) Wellington, last nighl

Tbo New Zealand Employers’ Federation Conference resumed its sittings. ' It was remitted, to the exeoutive. to consider the question of taking stops to have all “odd” public holidays on Mondays. It was resolved that 1 the members of the oonforenoe wait upon the Premier with referenee to accident insurance, holidays, oanoellation of registration of unions* proposed amendments to Coal Mines Act, and foreign trusts. The following offioers were elected:—President, J.'O. Thomson (Dunedin); vice-president, D. Goldie (Auckland); treasurer, E. F. Duthie (Dunedin)'; seoretary, W. Scott (Dunedin); auditor, Peter Barr (Dunedin); federation parliamentary committee, R. Hannah, W. H. Bonnott, J. Allen M.H.R., T. Ballinger, 0. 0. Athie, F. O, Orese, J. P. Luke, A. Vieeb, and M. Cable. It wbb left to the exeoutive to decide as to the centre at whioh the next annual meeting shonld bo held. A vote of thanks was passed to the federation exeontive for the able manner in wbioh it had performed its parliamentary and other work-dnring the past year.

PBEMIER’S REPLY TO THE DEPUTATION.

SUGGESTED CONFERENCE OF EMPLOYERS AND WORKERS.

(Per Press Association.) Wellington, last night

Mr Seddon, replying to-night to the deputation from the Employers’ .Federation! said it was a natural consequence that I the cost of acoidsnt insurance would fall lon industries. It had been said that some industries could not bear the expense, and it was suggested that the State should join in the risk, but ho reason had been given! They should be informed what particular I industries did not make sufficient profit to meet the oharge. He did not think that the taxpayers would take kindly to universal insurance. There was now a Bill before Parliament dealing with broaches of awards. In his vieWi, there Bhould not be an accumulation of those breaeheß. Such matters should bo doalt with as speedily as possible. The Trade Monopolies Bill would deal with monopolies or I trusts operating within the oolony and to the harvester trust, which, unfortunately for Now Zealand, eeemed likely to commence operations here. He wanted to soe industries carried on so that our young people would not have to leave the country in search of employment. He would do his best to promote good feeling between employer and employed, and to hold the balaooe even. If a conference was arranged between representatives of employers and workers, he would treat it as a national affair, and would be prepared to ask Parliament to bear the expense of Buoh a gathering.