LABOR'S WANTS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 119, 27 August 1910, Page 6

LABOR'S WANTS

DEPUTATION TO THE PREMIER. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Friday. A deputation from the New Zealand Federation of Labour waited upon the Premier and Mr. Millar to-day. The deputation urged that legislation be passed prohibiting contracting out oi awards. j Mr. Semple suggested that the Royal' Commission to be set up to inquire into' the condition of miners should be com-' posed of two representatives from the men, two from the employers, and a medical man, and that the commission should investigate the conditions of labour obtaining at Otira Tunnel. | Mr. O'Regan pointed out the injustice inflicted on workers by the domicile clause in the Workers' Compensa-| tion Act, and advocated its repeal. J Mr. Parry detailed a number of resolutions carried by the Federation re- 1 gar ding the sanitary conditions ana. working of mines. | Several speakers emphasised the im-, portance of change of houses at mines. | Sir Joseph Ward, replying, said, tlie; Government c r uld not agree to Mr,' iSemple's suggestion as to the personnel' of the commission, nor did he think it wise that the commission should investigate the conditions of labour at Otira. It would not be wise to mix : up this with the report of the commission. Regarding the domicile clause,' he pointed out the difficulties, owing • to the fact that there was no reci- j procity as to compensation to relatives with other countries except Victoria. ( The Government would endeavour to , find a fair basis, having in view people in and outside the country. In re- , giard to various sanitary and labour . conditions, they would receive full con- ; sideration from the Minister of Mines. 1