TIMBER WORKERS’ CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 6 July 1920, Page 1

TIMBER WORKERS’ CONFERENCE

(Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, July 5. The resolution adopted by the Conference of Federated Timber Workers of Nw Zealand were placed before the Minister of Labour, the Minister of Public Works, and the Minister of For. estry to-day by a deputation. Mr H .Hunter said th e timber workers asked that the hours of work under the Shops and Offices Act should be reduced from 52 to 48 per week. Tins was necessary because the shop hours affected kindred industries. They wanted the Government to nationalise the banking institutions, and to regulate the insurance business on behalf of the people. The Conference desired that the Government should arrange to give financial assistance to the organisations of workers, just as it gave assistance to settlers. The workers should be assisted to run co-operative industries. The Conference asked also that the GovernConference asked also that the Govei nment should assist Co-operative Societies to get goods at reasonable prices. These -Societies were formed to combat the high cost of living, but were hampered by combinations among the merchants and importers. The members of the deputation asked also for a restriction on the immigration of Asiatics; and for the release of the military offenders. The men convicted of a military offence might have done • wrong, ‘ said Mr T. O’Byrne, but the time bad come to forgive and forget. Sir W. Berries, in reply, said that the matters mentioned by the deputation would bo placed before the Cabinet. One or two of them were covered by Bills presented to tho House by the Labour Party, and the sawmill workers would be able, if they wished to giro evidence before the Labour Bills Committee. The Government would consider the Bills when they were reported , from, the Committee.