EIGHTH DAY.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 65, 7 June 1912, Page 6

EIGHTH DAY.

On Thursday morning Mr. J. Roberts piesided until Mr. Webb's arrival. Tiie minutes were, read and confirmed. A proposal te establish. November 1 as a Federation holiday, and an amendment that the holiday be the third Wednesday in October.' were disposed of by carrying "the previous question." Sundry Remits. T. Stephenson moved: That amendments to the co-oper-ative system on Government works bo drafted and be submitted to tho Government. The matter was deferred until H. T. Armstrong and R Crowley drafted a scheme. T. Stephenson moved, and J. Dowgray seconded, and it was carried: That the Federation, urge upon the Government tbe necessity of bringing the wages of all casuals in their employ in line with the ruling rates paid in the district. P.' 11. Hickey moved, T. Stephenson seconded, and it was carried : That the Government be approached by the Federation and urged to constitute 44 hours a week's work on the public works of this country. A. Rosser moved. 11. R. Voyce seconded, and it was carried: T3iat the conference adopt the principle, of one days rest in seven and aim to secure its inclusion in the statutes of the Dominion. [Note. —The tramway men are vitally affected by this principle, as tho tendency of the age is to take away the rest day. so as to run the cars for the convenience of the public with 0-8 little extra labor as possible.] Moved by A. Rosser, seconded by J. B. King, and carried : That in the interests of public safety, it is advisable that in all future agreements provision should be made for at least ten hours between shifts. [Note.—ln tramway work, it is a common thing- to iind that men finish running their cars after midnight, and have to report for work before G a.m. tho next morning, which arrangement! prevents them obtaining the requisite rest and sleep.] A. Rosser moved, R. Dalhnusic seconded, and it was carried : Thai', in the opinion of this conference, it is advisable in futuro agreements that the minimum wage to be asked for general laborers and outside workers shall he based upon their actual requirements to live decently, a.nd bring up families in some degree of coin fort, instead of, as at present, allowing nothing for wet weather or stoppage of work. 11. Coppersmith moved. A. Rosser seconded, and it was carried : That Section 11, paragraph A of the T.C and A. Act be amended by adding the words, "or trade union" after the word ''union." where it occurs the second time in the above-mentioned para-gr.-i ph. The conference then rose and various committees met..