The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1905. AN UNIQUE CONFERENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7948, 11 October 1905, Page 2

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1905. AN UNIQUE CONFERENCE.

The airnounci'iiient which was scmiollicially made on Saturday that the Uoveriiiiienl had decided to summon with ull possible 'despatch a general conference of the employers and employees in the Colony to discuss all questions of interest relating to trade conditions, may well be regarded as, a surprise and a new departurennd, in view of the far-reaching effects that are likely to result, the Cabinet may be congratulated on the step taken. The main reason assigned for the calling together of such an unique body is umicublediy the menace to this Colony's industry by the Harvester Trust, and Ihe nenl for an i icdiale agreement on the Part ol i muuiifacturers, artisans, and farmers as to the legislative action necessitntid by the shadow of this gigantic monopoly. Other labour mutters will of course lie •discussed, and if the delegates approach their dclibcra-lie-ns wit 111 honcKty .of |nir|iosc. ~alld an intelligent conception of I lie serious nature of the issues involved,the outcome of the conierence may,prove of incalculable Unclii 1 o Che cotintn ai large. As so much w ill, depend on [he good sens.: and business ability of Ihe chairman, we hope that the choice of this important functionary will not ,;• left to chalice. Thai Jhe scope of the conference will be wide in.i.v l,e judged from Ihe fact'that invitations have -hivti sent out by the Premier to all the Trades and l.ab-

our Councils in the chief cities, to »ll Ijuploy.-rs' I'cderations ami I'aiiri.Ts' I'tHlllls—in sllol'l, tu sill rccogi.is.,l 'lnrdi. s of organised labour and capital—lo si'iul tun delegates lach in atl-ml tin' conference. The lirst

< i\,m ,ii employers and workers in ill. hi-i'iiy of the colony is In talid pin'-, within I. n days ii llir receipt 1..-, tin' bodies concerned of 1 liu inviliiiii.n- sent mil mi I-Yidnj last. The actual . dull.' of tin- session and the place where ii uill 1..- li.-lci ha\e not vet Im ii delerminid iiyc.n, lint not i<v- will 1,,' Mi.t out as si.on as matters are s.lil'il. The important prini'iple is i nuiK-ialvd that the cost of travelling expenses for delegates uHinding Urr conference will lie borne liy Covernment. Such is the outline of the in.iviinuil li.-.sijin, I I-'. llw Covermnent for lire purpose ill ns.vi label,g, from I hose who me in a position -1.. 1.11.1U what legislation is llei'essary 111 el Mill filly till' llllMIite.; i|ll--lion of combines, lull also tie. various mailers alTeiling capital an.l lal.imr. There is every prospect of I'V'ih'ltlClll Wlri'll till! dcle.ellleS ,i|'t lo worC, hut chough their views may In- widely divergent mi seam points th.y may Jei arrive at « common base of agree,hi-iM by the e\.rrise of I act and discretion. At all events an opportunity will lie given to this "Labour Parliament" of showing whether or not. they ca'ii rise lo the occasion. The enlivening oi such a conference is certainly one of the mosl progressive steps tak'ii by Hie Soddon d'overntiient. and ibis is saying a great deal. There is n« question l)"t (hat it wiil attract Moi'l.l-ni\lc.attention, and for the credit of the Colony it is to lie hoped the proceiilings, will he characterised liy a devotion to the commercial and industrial welfare of (he countr\, and pedy fiids mi'l lliffereures will he sunk in the desire lo mutually ass-isl in the Colony 's prosperous development and the arrival at a common means for ensuring the main interests of both employers and employ itl. (IS TIIK roiUTII I'ACK