TRADES AND LABOR COUNCIL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2250, 23 July 1908, Page 2

TRADES AND LABOR COUNCIL.

DISCUSSION ON ARBITRATION ACT. [Press Association.] WELLINGTON, July 22. At the Trades and Labor Councils’ Conference,' a- motion wa6 submitted that this conference reaffirms the principles laid down in the Hon. Mr. Jleeves’ Bill, known as the Industrial' Conciliation and Arbitration Act of . 1894. It was stated that if the conference reaffirmed the principles laid down in the Act, it would be tantamount to disapproval of the proposed new -labor legislation. All, amendment was moved that the conference reaffirms ,tlio principles of conciliation and arbitration, as the experience of the past had shown that the workers of the Dominion had received considerable benefit from that system, is against the brutal system of strikes and " lock-outs; One delegate asserted that labor throughout the Dom-'' inion was seething with discontent with the existing Act. As amended the motion was carried.

Iu dealing with the Government’s new Bill, it was resolved that the Conference disapprove all sections in Part 1 of the ’Bill, excepting clause 8 (which proposes .to repeal section 15 of the 1905 Act dealing with recovery of fines, etc.). It was decided to allow clause 11, Part 2 of the Bill (dealing with- the transference of enforcements of awards from the Court t 0 Stipedi-ary Magistrates) to stand, with the addition that Magistrates should have the assistance of assessors to advise oil- technicalities. Clause 12 (application of provisions. as to e'nfoEcement of awards and agreements) was approved. In clause 13 (providing for a fine of £IOO for breach of award), it was amended by inserting the words “not exceeding”before £ioth It was decided' that appeals-to the Arbitration. _ Court from a Magistrate’s decision should be allowed;on points of law: , 'Clafise; 22 (deduction of wages for -payment of fines) was v disapproved. Clause 25 of Part' 3 (abolishing Conciliation Boards and leading up to -the -appointment of the proposed new Councils of Conciliation) was disapproved. The Conference will proceed to discuss the rest of thG measure to-morrow.