NEW ZEALAND EMPLOYERS' FEDERATION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3012, 8 October 1908, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND EMPLOYERS' FEDERATION.

ANNUAL MEETING. By Jrelpgrayh—Press Association. WELLINGTON, October 7. The sixth annual meeting of the New Zealand Employers' Federation opened to-day Mr H. Inniss, President of the Federation, occupied the chair. The annual report opened with an i expression of pleasure by the General Executive at being able to say that the combination and organisation of employers represented by the Federation was to-day the largest anu most powerful that the Dominion had ever seen. On a low estimate it represented an individual membership of over six thousand firms and per- ) soiis. In a criticism on the legis • j lation of trie Dominion, the report stated that the Amendment of the

Shops and Offices Act, in providing for a poll of the electors to determine the day of the weekly half-holiday, was a particularly dangerous provision, and if put into operation it would probably result in all shops in the four large centres being compelled to close on the Saturday aiternoon, while shops in the immediately surrounding districts would he a'lowed to remain open. Such a state of things wolud prove detrimental to many city retailers, without conferring any substantial benefit upon any considerable portion of the community. The strongest possible representation had been made to the Government protesting against such important lpgislative mea.ures being pushed thiough Parliament during the dying hours of the session. Representations had also been made to the Minister tor Labour asking for a repeal of the clauses of the Act providing for a poll of the electors on the question ot the weekly half-holi-day. The representations, so far made had been without effect, but it was hoped that the stronger measure? it was proposed to. take would be mure successful. The report directs attention to the extremely Socialistic nature of the discussions that took place, and the proposals adopted at the Trades and Labour Conference in Wellington this year, especially the principle of "Limiting the output" recommended by several speakers. The idea prevalent amongst Unionists that it was their duty to do no more work than they were compelled to do was so apparent in connection with many of our industries, that it had become incumbent upon employers, wherever such was noticeable, to take strong measures to combat the policy now advocated by the labour leaders. The election of officers resulted as follows: — President, Mr W. G. Foster (Wellington Export Co.); vice-president,- Hon. C. M. Luke. M.L.C.; treasurer, Mr R. A. Scott (Wairarapa Farmers' Association): trustee, Mr W. H. Bennett (President of the Wellington Builders' Association) ; auditor, Mr W. C, Stephens; Parliamentary committee, Messrs James Allen, M.P., J. God' ber, J. Beveridge, H. Seaton, C, |M. Banks., G. H. Chapman and F. Marley.