TRADES AND LABOR CONFERENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2049, 9 April 1907, Page 1

TRADES AND LABOR CONFERENCE.

MOBH L LOC! ISLATION WANTED. ’On the motion of Mr. Thorne (Canterbury) the Trades and Labor Conference resolved, “That, whoronK all financial benefits accruing from labor legislation in tho past has been nullified by the action of the capitalist class in raising prices out of proportion to tho increase in wages; and whereas the reason of this lies in flio uncurbed power of capitalists, this conference strongly urges upon the peoplo of New Zealand to make a stand, and demand legislation that will initiate a system of producing tho necessaries of life, and of supplying them to tho people at cost price.” It was unanimously resolved “That our prisons should be removed from tho centres of and that inmates generally be employed in reafforestation and agricultural pursuits, and that those unable to engage in such employment ho restricted to tho manufacture of articles roI quired in connection with the prisons.” It was resolved, “That flaxmill and sawmill employees''-and agricultural laborers be provided with similar accommodation to that provided for shearers.” Several delegates spoke of the revolting conditions under which flaxmill hands are required to live. Mr. D. McLaren (Wellington) moved, “(1) That the minimum of 72 feet cubic and 12 feet superficial feet specified in tho Shipping and Seamen Act, 1903, bo increased to 120 cubic feet and 15 superficial feet respectively; (2) that such quarters occupied by seamen lie thoroughly cleaned and painted at least once a year, and be thoroughly ventilated and kept in a sanitary manner, and that adequate bathing facilities he supplied.” This was carried. Mr. W. H. Brookes (Auckland) moved, “That in any revision of the tariff the Government be asked to increase tho duty on—(a) all imported manufactured stationery by an additional 15 per cont; (b) all basket and wicker work by an additional 30 per cent; (c) all imported printed matter by at least 15 per cent.” The mover explained that the third clause was not intended to include books for libraries, etc., but for all kinds of office printing, ledgers, etc., which wore imported in considerable quantities.” Mr. J. 11. Johnston (Nelson) moved - as an amendment, “That the tariff bo revised this session, so as to give , groat encouragement to all natural industries, and that this conference instruct the executive to invito, the various unions of the colony to forward suggestions with regard to same to use as evidence when required.” Tho amendment was carried by 14 votos to 5. Mr. W. H. Hampton (Wellingtonmoved to strike out the wore “unions” in Mr. Johnston s motion, with a view to inserting tho word “councils.” Mr. Johnston then asked leave to alter his motion, so that the executive should invite suggestions from various unions through local councils. Tho motion as amended was carried unanimously. Mr. J. Iv. Johnston (Nelson) moved “That this conference urge upon tho Government bettor administration of the Workmen’s Wages Act, especially with regard ta elauso 3, as workers in the back blocks distiict suffer great loss and inconvenience every year through non-administra-tion of same.” This was carried. Mr. J. K. Johnston (Nelson) moved, “That an age limit be placed on all persons, after which they cannot be apprenticed) the suggested limitation to be 16 years, with nppi entices’ liability up to the ago of 21. Mr. W. H. Hampton (Wellington) moved to amend the ages from 16 to 14, arid 21 to 25 years. The motion as amended was carried. Mr. E. Johns (Canterbury) moved, “That the Government be urged t‘o provide for a minimum wage for all workers, which shall not be loss tlmu Is an hour, and no workers to work for a longer time than eight hours a day without receiving at least time and a quarter per hour as overtime rate.” Mr. J. K. Johnston (Nelson) opposed the motion in accordance with tho instructions from his Council. They objected ,as he himself did, to any rate of wages being fixed by the Legislature. At times the cost of living varied, and they wanted the right to fix the rate of wages accordingly. The motion was lost, the voting being: For, 10; against, 8. Mr. W. Peake (Auckland) put forward his motion, “That tho Government bo asked to establish a State foundry in Aucklailf}.’ Mr. Hampton (Wellington) moved as an amendment, “That the Government he asked to establish State ironworks and foundries in centres convenient to tho iron deposits of the colony.” Mr. Peake agreed to withdraw Ins motion, and Mr. Hampton’s proposal was carried unanimously. On the motion of M. J. Jv ; Johnston (Nelson), it was resolved, “That power bp given to municipal bodies to compel owners of all houses for residential purposes to provide a bathroom in same.” On Mr. J. Thorne’s motion, it was* resolved to urge the Government to substitute a schedule in tho Deceased Persons’ Estates Duties Act Amendment, by one providing for ijutipe ranging from 3) per cent on amounts between £IOO and £IOOO (the fiist £IOO being exempt), to 20 per cent oil amounts of £20,000 or over (strangers in blood, except adopted children, to be charged 5 per cent additional). On'the motion of Mr, If, P ■ Brookes (Auckland) it was resolved “That all imported printed matter shall bear an imprint.” Dir. IT. Betts (Westland) moved in favor, of amending tlie Workers’ Compensation for Accidents Act by providing for compensation to be paid for a]} tape lost through injury, provided the incapacity of the worker is not less than a week. Mr. Hampton moved as an amendment, “That compensation be full wages from the time of accident to that of recovery.” The amendment was lost. Mr. Hampton then moved as a further amendment, “That minimum payments be £2 per week, provided that in cases of workers whose wages do‘ not amount to fjiat sum, their compensation shalL.be full wages received by them.” This was carried. On the motion of Mr Betts, it was resolved, “That domestic servants should be. brought within the scope of the Workers’ Compensation for Accidents Act.” The mover argued that servants were not sufficiently protected by the Employers’ Liability Act. 'On the motion of Dir. Crookes (Nelson) it was resolved, “That provision be made compelling an employer to pay the cost of taking an injured person to where be can obtain medical assistance, and that the employer be responsible for first medical aid in all cases of injury.” "... , ■ ■ m

It whs resolved that union officials should bo empowered to conduct cases I'or recovery of compensation to workers under the provisions of the Act. Tdr. Betts (Westland) moved in favor of securing that the Workers’ Compensation for Accidents Act shall apply to dangerous trades or callings. He instanced quartz milling and match-making or manufacture as typical callings, and claimed that ..“minors’. complaint” and “phosy jaw” so often resulting from the pursuit of tlioso callings, wore in reality injuries. The motion was carried without discussion. Air. J. Jackson (Westland) moved, “That the minimum rate of wages for miners be fixed at Is 3d per hour for all time miners employed underground, up to 4G hours per week, and that all the time miners are employed over 4G hours per week fio paid at the rate of Is 6d per hour; in relation to the wharf laboring industry, ordinary time to be Is Gd, and overtime 2s per hour.” Air. 11. Betts (Westland) seconded pro forma, after which it' was suggested to add a minimum wage of 12s a day for coal miners. This drew forth a protest from the AVestlaml delegates. Opinion was expressed that this minimum wage would influence the Arbitration Cotirtjn ('rant* ing awards. It having been explained that the Is an hour resolution referred to industries in which no awards have been made, it was finally decided to withdraw the resolution, on the understanding that the minimum wage of Is an hour is not to apply to miners or wharf laborers. Air. J. Foster (AVestland) moved, “That! no companies he allowed to take their own insurance risks, and that the medical examination of men be abolished.” Air. J. . Jackson (AVestland) seconded . It was agreed to adopt Air. Hampton’s sugostion that this portion of the clause should be restricted to the mining industry. The motion as amended was carried unanimously. On Air. AlcLaren’s motion, it was resolved, “That hotels should he deemed to he shops within the meaning of the Shops and Offices Act, and the provisions of the Act relating to the half-holiday be exteuded to club, restaurant, hotel, and tea-room servants.” It was agreed to recommend the abolition of a late closing night, and bring grocers, drapers, and other shop assistants under the same hours of labor as other trades. It was resolved that the Executive Council be located in AYeilington. and that the annual meeting of the Federation bo held annually in AA cllington.