FEDERATION OF LABOR.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 209, 23 January 1913, Page 5

FEDERATION OF LABOR.

A SERIES OF MOTIONS. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Wednesday. At the Labor Conference to-day, the Hon. J. Rigg presiding, Mr. P. Eraser moved that, "this conference expresses wliole-hearted sympathy witli the slaughtermen now on strike, and cordially wishes them every success in their struggle for economic betterment." The motion was seconded by Mr. Agar, and carried by acclamation.

On behalf of the Federation of Labor, Mr. Parry moved "that, when an Industrial Union of Workers cancels its registration, as provided for in Clause 21 of the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitra- 1 tion Act, no Union shall be registered in that industry or in any part of that industry covered by the union which has cancelled its registration, unless a majority of members of such organisation express, by secret hallot, their desire to so register." Mr. Coppersmith seconded. Mr. H. Hunter, in supporting the motion, said that so just, was the dissatisfaction existing with the Arbitration Court in his union that wore it not for the probability of a new union being formed under the Act, thev would before to-day have cancelled their registration. Mr. Wallace gave illustrations to show, he said, how the clause in the Act covered by the remit had acted against the liberty of the Freezers' Union. Messrs. Campbell, Kennedy and Fulton supported the remit. Mr. Woodliam opposed the motion as heing undemocratic. Mr. Tregear said he supported the motion with his whole heart, and Mr. Could suggested an alteration in the remit providing that no union shall be registered under the Arbitration Act after notice of cancellation has been given. This would, lie said, prevent such dillietilfies as recently threatened the slaughtermen after having given notice of cancellation. Mr. W. T. Young agreed with the remit, but defended the Arbitration Act against many of the accusations against it, saying his union owed much to its operation. Mr. Semple said all that was meant by the remit, was that the democracy should rule in the industrial arena. As it stood at present, the Act was being used against the original inii",h ion of its trainers, which was to foster trade unionism. It was now being used by the employing class to smash trade unionism.

The conference appointed a special c'ommif tee of \foHsrs. Tregear, Young, TTickery, Tarry and Sullivan to re-draft the remit and report on other remits dealing with the Arbitration Act,