H—3s

Tuesday, 24th April, 1928. Appointment of Special Committee. The Conference reassembled in open meeting at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, 24th April, the Hon. J. Barr, M.L.C., presiding. The Chairman : You will recollect that the object of this meeting is to appoint a sub-committee to draw up recommendations in connection with the matters the two main committees have been discussing, including the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act, and the resolution to that effect is now in your hands. The proposal was that the sub-committee should consist of six members from either side. Mr. Bishop : I wish to ask the members on the other side if they will agree to make the number seven from each side instead of six, as we find it very difficult to leave certain men out of the committee because of their special knowledge of specific subjects. Mr. Roberts : We are quite willing to agree to seven, but unfortunately we have only chosen six at present on this side, but we will select the seventh immediately. The proposal to appoint seven members from each side was agreed to. Mr. Roberts : Our members are Messrs. Roberts, Nash, A. Cook, Bloodworth, Bromley, Mcßrine, and one to be appointed. Mr. Bishop : We have selected Messrs. Weston, Smith, Poison, Williams, Turner, Sterling, and Bishop. As Mr. Turner has to be absent on Thursday next, we ask that Mr. Chadwick be allowed to take his place for that day. Mr. Turner will resume his place on Friday morning. Mr. Roberts : We have no objection to Mr. Chadwick. Mr. Bishop : What about the time in which this sub-committee shall report ? Mr. Roberts : I suggest that the sub-committee meet and consider that matter, and inform the Conference later on as to what date they can report, the question to be left open in the meantime. I think there has been a suggestion with regard to finishing on the 2nd May. The Chairman : The 2nd May was the suggestion of the Parliamentary Committee, not of this Conference. The idea was that the Business Committee should go into the matter, but it was found they could not then settle it. I should like to see it made the 2nd May if possible in order to get the job done. Mr. Bishop: We would like to get the job done sooner. Mr. Bloodworth: We ought to know something definite about the date of the Conference reassembling finally, in order that the gentlemen who may be wanted from a distance may have time to be invited and to come here. I refer to the Professors of Economics, for instance. The Chairman : The point raised by Mr. Bloodworth is of considerable importance, in order to enable those men at a distance to arrange their business. Mr. Williams : 1 would point out that the particular items this special sub-committee has to deliberate on are not the only ones to be considered. This particular committee was to be set up to consider, I think, three different subjects which the main committee have not had time to deal with. But there are other questions that the small committees have still to deal with. I assume, sir, that the business of this sub-committee we have just set up will probably not take more than two days. We should then have to go back into committee to consider those other subjects. The Chairman : That is a matter that can hardly be judged until this committee gets down to business. The first big job is the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act; and then, I understand, you will go into the questions of unemployment, and workers' compensation. In the interim, according to the programme already submitted, the other committees will deal with the Shops and Offices Act, and apprenticeship, and any other odd matter they may find themselves in the humour to discuss. You will know when these committees are working just exactly where you are. I understand the position is that the Conference will adjourn at the conclusion of its business to-day until 10 o'clock on Thurdsay morning. The Conference adjourned at 3.17 p.m.

Saturday, 28th April, 1928. The Conference resumed at 11 a.m., the Hon. Mr. Barr, M.L.C., presiding. The Chairman: Gentlemen, the Conference has resumed. I understand that Mr. Bishop has a report to present. Adjournment. Mr. Bishop : Mr. Chairman, I have to report that the special sub-committee recommends that general Conference adjourn until Wednesday, 16th May, and that the special sub-committee continue its work in the meantime, with power to deal with the whole of the matters before this Conference, and that it endeavour to present its final report when the Conference resumes on the 16th May. I move that that recommendation be adopted. Mr. Roberts : Mr. Chairman, I second the motion. The special sub-committee has a very difficult task before it, and its members find that they are not making the progress that they thought they would make. We believe that the best results from this Conference will be obtained by the adjournment suggested in the motion moved by Mr. Bishop. We hope to have final agreements, or decisions at any rate, when the Conference resumes, and that the conclusion of the Conference will not be long delayed after the resumption on the 16th May. I have pleasure in seconding the motion.

188