TRADES’ AND LABOR CONFERENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 380, 3 April 1902, Page 2

TRADES’ AND LABOR CONFERENCE.

LABOR MATTERS,

(Per Press Association.!) DUNEDIN, last' night, Ihe Victorian Labor Commission examined several witnesses this morning. Mr Belcher, re-called, was asked as to the attitude of the workers if the Court decreased wages under conditions that were deemed 1o make the step imperative. He answered tiiat lie was not apprehensive. The workers; were law-abiding, and if it proved necessary would submit. No section of workers would repudiate the Court's derision. Witness believed in an elective Court, with a Judge appointed by the Government. He held that the action of the Wa'ihi miners in asking for the removal of Judge Edwards did not affect the contention that the men would abide the awards of the Court. Mr Arnold, M.H.R., testified, approving both of the Court and Board. Mr Millar, M.H.Rethought the Conciliation Board should be a sort of lower Court. There was not thc slightest sign of a breakdown 1 tendency, but rather to build it np. ; Mr Barclay, M'H.R., highly approved of the Act. Neither side wanted ib abolished. He did not believe the Acti was used t-o foment disputes. He thought breaches of the award should be dealt with the same as breaches or any law. He did not approve of the amendment of last session empowering the taking of cases direct to the Court. Mr R. Chisholm, ex-Mayor, thought the Act beneficial. The Act should not deter the investment or capitals _ :

Auckland, last night. At tho Trades’ and Labor Conference this afternoon considerable discussion took place concerning amendments to the Old Age Pensions Act. It was agreed to rocommend Government to incrcaso tho amount of pensions to 10s por week ; that miners having worked for ten years underground be entitled to a pension at 60, on account of tho unhealthy nature of the occupation shortening tho miners’ life; that the Old Ago Pensions Act bo amended so as to exempt any income derived from a friendly or benefit society, the result of • contributions subscribed for tho purpose of deriving assistance during old age or infirmity ; that tho system of considering board and residence as income should be abolished. A motion to grant a pension to any person incapacitated for life by sickness or accident was lost. It was resolved, “ That this conference considers that the time has come, when it is desirable in the interests of tho Empire, commercially and industrially, for tho Government to consider whether international prefereuco should not be given to British goods manufactured by British workmen.” The conference affirmed tho desirability of establishing State farms.