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The War Effort of New Zealand

7—International Labour Legislation

7—International Labour Legislation.

This important question was first discussed at the second plenary conference, held on January 25th, when it was page 214decided to appoint a Commission to examine the proposal to prepare an International Labour Convention. The Commission, which held many conferences under the presidency of Mr. Samuel Gompers, of the United States of America, submitted its report and recommendations to the fourth plenary session of the Peace Conference on February 14th.

The following methods and principles, which were deemed to be of special and urgent importance, were adopted:—

(1)The guiding principle that labour should not be regarded merely as a commodity or article of commerce.
(2)The right of association for all lawful purposes by the employed as well as by the employers.
(3)The payment to the employed of a wage adequate to maintain a reasonable standard of life as this is understood in their time and country.
(4)The adoption of an eight hours day or a forty-eight hours week as the standard to be aimed at where it has not already been obtained.
(5)The adoption of a weekly rest of at least twenty-four hours, which should include Sunday wherever practicable.
(6)The abolition of child labour and the imposition of such limitations on the labour of young persons as shall permit the continuation of their education and assure their proper physical development.
(7)The principle that men and women should receive equal remuneration for work of equal value.
(8)The standard set by law in each country with respect to the conditions of labour should have due regard to the equitable economic treatment of all workers lawfully resident therein.
(9)Each State should make provision for a system of inspection, in which women should take part, in order to secure the enforcement of the laws and regulations for the protection of the employed.
page 215

It was provided in the Convention adopted that each self-governing Dominion in the British Empire should have the status of a High Contracting Party. Generally considered, the terms of the Convention aimed principally at the improvement of labour conditions in Europe, but many of the provisions had an important bearing on the Labour movement in all civilised countries.