LABOUR CONFERENCE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 25, 28 January 1913, Page 8

LABOUR CONFERENCE.

WHOLESALE RESOLUTIONS. (Per Press Association.) Wellington, January 27. The Labour Conference was continued to-day, the Hon, J. Rigg presiding. The following resolution, moved by Mr Cook, was carried: “That this conference is of opinion that militarism has always been against the interests of the workers, and, therefore, condemns it, and is prepared to recommend to all unions the hardy and valiant resolution of calling a general strike on a declaration of war by any of the Great Powers, and we declare our determined hostility to the form of conscription placed on the New Zealand Statute Book, and demand its immediate repeal; and also the stoppage of criminal proceedings against our youths.” Mr O’Brien moved that an annual conference of all trades unions be held. Mr Boreham seconded this. On Mr Campbell’s amendment the matter was referred to the United Committee. Mr O’Brien moved: “That in the opinion of this conference the trades unions of New Zealand should support the “Maoriland Worker” heartily, and therefore, the delegates present pledge themselves to do all in their power to establish the paper in the unions, and further urges that, where possible, all union printing be handed over to the Worker’s printer for execution.” Mr Douglas seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously, after having been supported by Messrs Boreham, Young, Campbell and others. Ft was resolved: “That the Maoriland Worker be the official organ of the unity campaign during the next six months.” Mr O’Brien drew attention to the fact that the engine-drivers at the Point Elizabeth State Mine were in danger of being forced into conflict with the management, by whom the

engine-drivers’ attempts to secure a working arrangement Avere being positively Houted. He moved: “That this conference declare its support of the Westland engine-drivers in their struggle Avith the Mines Department.” The motion was carried unanimously.

Mr Campbell moved, and Mr Rose seconded: “That this ■ conference expresses its conviction that State-aid-ed immigration oil the linos of the Ma ssey administration is detrimental to the interests of the Avorking class,

and calls upon the unions of Ncav Zealand to vigorously combat a palpable design to Hood the labour market and aid the employers in their attack upon the AAorkors.”—Carried.

Mr Ross moved, and Mr Campbell seconded: “That in vieAv of developments at Huntly and the situation created there by the corrupt recognition of a bosses’ union, this conference pledges its support to the Waikato Miners’ Union in any action it might deem necessary to take for the preservation of straight unionism and the protection of the principles of an honest Avorking class organisation.”— Carried.

Mr Jones moved, and Mr Armstrong seconded : “That this conference places on record its severe condemnation of the conduct of the Government and the police in connection Avith the mobbing and evictions of the strikers at Waihi, and this conference is of opinion that the charges made in connection thereAvith by the Waihi Miners’ Union and the Federation of Labour emphatically Avarrant a public enquiry into the happenings, and that all unions be requested to urge their representative iu Parliament to take steps to secure such an enquiry.”

Mr Belcher moved: “That the Government be requested to amend the Constitution Act of Ncav Zealand so as to admit of the Dominion Parliament enacting any laAvs necessary to conserve the interests of persons engaged in the maritime or any other occupations of the Dominion.” It Avas resolved, on the motion of Mr Webb, that the matter be deferred until after other remits Avere dealt Avith.

Mr Young moved, and Mr Fulton seconded: “That where a union registered under the Trades Union Act or other IaAV can establish that its membership exceeds that of a simliar union of Avorkers engaged in the same industry in the same locality, it shall not be laAvful for any such similar union to be registered or exist in such locality.”

Mr Campbell opposed this, on the ground that the motion Avould have the opposite effect to that intended. Its result AA-ould be to strengthen the positiou of the scab unions uoav in existence.

Mr H. R. Voyce moved, and Mr Agar seconded: “That this conference of trade unions vigorously protests against the action of the Government in alloAving a union in connection AA'ith one of its oaa - ii industries the right of a close corporation and the right to tile election of its members by ballot.” He said that at Lyttelton they had a raihvay union of about eighty members, a close corporation absolutely controlled by the Department, and they demanded that the occupation should be opened to every Avork-

Mr L. Diamond moved: “That the Compensation Act be so amended a to make compensation imperative m all accidents sustained during the hours of working, and irrespective of any other Act in existence.” He referred to the case of H. Knight who had been injured for life, and to Avhom had been denied because of the merest technicality.

Mr Dowgray seconded this, a» d the motion was unanimously carried. It was also resolved that in all cases under the Compensation Act insurances should he compulsory on employers. A telegram was received from Millerton, asking whether the organisation were prepared to stand by the passive resisters ,or whether they must drill.

Mr Semple moved: “That Mr Price be informed of the conference's decisions re militarism and conscuptum ” —Carried unanimously.

This closed the business, and the conference adjourned.