TRADES AND LABOR.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1727, 19 April 1906, Page 2

TRADES AND LABOR.

(Per Press Association.)

Christohurob, last night. The Trades’ Conference resumed to-day. It was resolved to change the name of the official Trades Council organ from “Otsgo Liberal” to ‘'Beacon.” An amendment in favor of “New Zealand Labor Leader ” was lost. A remit from Nelson, urgffig the Government to introduce legislation to provide for a universal oompulsory half-holiday was carried. The conference reaffirmed the principle of land nationalisation, and urged the Government to nationalise tho mineral wealth of the colouy. On the motion of Mr Paul (Otago delegate) the following motion was carried : “ That the Government bo urged to make an increase in the land and income tax, with a reduotion of the exemption from the income tax now allowed, also a progressive income and absentee tax, and the abolition of the duties on all neoessaries of life that cannot be produced in the colony.”

The Conference adopted motions urging the establishment of a State Labor Bureau and publio defenders ; urging the Government to prevent the importation of volunteer uniforms; to remove oil civil and political disabilities from civil servants; to nationalise the marine coastal and intercolonial service, and the WaDganui river servico.

STATE SOCIALISM. (For Presn Association.) Christchuroh, last night. I The Labor Conference to-day debated at considerable length the administration of the Industrial, Oonc'liat’oo, and ArbiI tration Act, and adopted motions asking Government to so amend the Act las to afford protection to workers who may be engaged in forming a unioo, and as to provide for uncondiI tional preference of employment to unionists, and that ail decisions of tbo Court should be given within three months of the filing of a case. A motion was also adopted that when tho Conciliation Board [ recommendation is ncoepied by all parties to a dispute such recommendation should have the force of an award of the Court. It was decided to urge Government to establish State clothing and boot factories, flour and woollon mills, bakoriep, iron works, and ahip building yards. Tbo Conference resumes in the morning.

I Auckland, last night. At a meeting ef the Auckland Trades and Libor Council this evening it was stated that a large importation of Southern flout [ was beiog made, apparently with the object of crushing the Northern mills. The Oouocil passed a resolution tosommending all Unions to use the looal manufactured article in preference to the imported. The Council a'eo adopted a suggestion from the Dunedin Taiioreseea’ Union to urge Government to establish a State clothing faotory, and ordered a telegram to be sent lo the Labor Conference at Christchurch on the que-t’on.