THE BOOT TRADE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 323, 14 January 1909, Page 2

THE BOOT TRADE.

CONFERENCE BETWEEN WORKMEN AND EMPLOYERS.

By Telegraph.—Press Association. Chrislchurch, Last Night. A between representatives-, of the New Zealand Boot Manufacturers- Federation nnd the New Zealand, Bootmakers' Federation took place today, the business being to discuss detailsm connection with a proposed industrial' agreement to take the place of the existing award of the Arbitration Court. The representatives of the Bootmakers" , (the, employees') Federation asked for considerable additions to the award,more favorable conditions and greaterrestrictions outside the' operation of their own individual work. As a result* : the conference failed to agree in the. matter of an industrial agreement, thebootmakers' delegates stating that theycould not accept the responsibility of* meeting the employers in their views, and that they would have to report to that effect to their Federation. The enii plovers had put their views on the subject of the proposed industrial agreement in acting, in order to prevent the possibility of any misunderstanding, but pending the consideration of those views by the Workers' Federation, and in view [ ot the probability of the Arbitration I Court the document was not available to the Press.

The Boot Manufacturers' Federation' meets to-morrow to transact formal business, after which the proceedings will close and the visiting delegates will leave for their homes.

ABOLITION OF DUTY RECOMMENDED.

STATE BOOT' FACTOR I US. Cliristchurch, Last iN'iglit. At a meeting of the executive of the New Zealand Federated Hoot Trade Trade Union held to-night, the following motion was agreed to:— I "That owing to the refusal of the New Zealand jMannfactnrers' Federation to concede a lair rate of wages and conditions of employment to tiie workers at the conference to-day, the executive take the necessary steps to secure the abolition of the duty oil imported hoots and shoe.s, as it coiisideis the workers of the Dominion should not be taxed to support an industry whicli cannot prov ide decent conditions of employment for the workers connected therewith; that the various trades councils, unions of workers and members of Parliament be approached in reference to the matter, and a strong committee be appointed to make the necessary arrangements for an active canvass in the interests of the movement; and further, we are of opinion that the only solution of the boot and shoe trade difficulties is for the (!over;iment to start: state bout factories throughout the Dominion, and the Federation again offer to loan the Oovernment .eaXMf for the purpose.''