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HALIFAX DISASTER RECORD OFFICE
ARCHIBALD MACMECHAN, F.R.S.C.
DIRECTOR
HALIFAX, N.S.

[Newspaper clipping]
Report to Governor-in-Council.
The Commission shall report to the Lieutenant Governor in Council in reference to losses, damages or injuries caused by or resulting from the disaster of December 6th, as to the amount of money and property subscribed, contributed or voted for any purpose for the relief of persons whi suffered loss, damage, or injuries in or by reason of the disaster; also of additional money and property required for the purpose of such relief and also the cost of administering and distributing such money and property and of exercising the powers exercisable by the Commission.

Company Stores Dispute Settled
The amendments to the Coal Mines Regulation Act, with reference to company stores, as made by the Legislative Council, were not agreed to by the Lower House and were the subject of a conference between the Upper and Lower House last evening. The result of this conference was that a long-standing controversy has been settled by the fact that the workmen of the Dominion Coal Co. will in future be paid in cash. This, however, will not come into effect until October this year.

Tribute to Workmen.
A glowing tribute, as to their proven patriotism in the Great War, was paid to the workmen of Nova Scotia by Mr. D. A. Cameron in the House of Assembly yesterday in a speech in support of Bill 149, recently introduced by him. Mr. Cameron said that there was one class of workmen above al overs who had shown their patriotism, and that was to be found among the workmen of Nova Scotia. All over the Province the answer to the call had been magnificent. In the County of Cape Breton the workmen there recruited so readily that the County occupied a unique place in the Empire. So far as he knew it was the only spot in the British Empire, where men rallied to the colors so freely that the authorities had to stop recruiting.
Bill 149 provides that employers of labor must meet a committee of employees within twenty-four hours notice of subject matter in dispute. The Bill had passed its second reading a few days ago, was referred to the Committee on Law Amendments and was reported up to the House yesterday with the recommendation that it be read in three months' time. Mr. Cameron opposing this motion, pointed out, briefly that the Bill had emanated from the workmen of Nova Scotia, particularly the County of Cape Breton. He was in possession of resolutions by letter and telegram from the various Unions asking for his support of the Bill, which he was pleased to do, because he thought that in the best interestts of employers and their employees a complete understanding should prevail between employers of labor and the producers of wealth.

The Right to Organize.
Mr. Cameron had no objection whatever to those who invested their capital, organizing for the purpose of carrying on the industries of the Province in the most efficient manner possible, and he would do nothing in his capacity as a legislator to hamper or prevent the growth of industry. But he did claim for the men the same right to organize for their mutual benefit, as was being done by the capitalist. The capitalists of the Province were in a position to command the best intelligence to manage their affairs and it was only fair and logical that the workmen should be permitted to control their position so as to command the very best intellect possible in the conduct and manner of any dispute which might arise between employer and employee.
Dealing with the argument that these matters should be left rest



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HALIFAX

MG 1 volume 2124 number 105 a