KNIGHTS OF LABOUR.

Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 93, 23 April 1891, Page 12

KNIGHTS OF LABOUR.

The Jubilee Pioneer Assembly ef the K-nights of Labour held an extraordinary general meeting ab the Cook-sfcreob Hall last evening. There was a very large attendance, and matters of importance were discussed. One of the principal subjects of discussion was a reporb presented by a special Committee appointed to inquire into the merits of the bootmakers' strike. The Teport was an exhaustive one and went fully into the question as represented by the three iparties interested — the Auckland Boot Manufacturers' Association, tho Operative

Bootmakers' Union, and tho Auckland Federated Masters' Association. It stated tbab throughout the colony there are 23 factories, employing 755 journeymen operatives, all working under the federated statement. In Auckland thirteen factories, employing 203 journeymen operatives, refuse to accept the federated statement. A lengthy and intelligent discussion ensued, and was continued till 11 p.m., and several resolutions were passed, the most important of which was as follows :—" Having heard through a Committee appointed by it in connection with ths unhappy strike of operatives in the boot trade, that it had been stated by both the employers and employees that they now positively decline to submit their diepute to arbitration. This Assembly re> «te thac at present ie cannot see its way feu a solution of the difficulty. At the same time it is the opinion of this assembly that the federated statement, as drawn up by the Conference ab Wellington, should be upheld by tho Knights of Labour. , ' The Assembly further expressed the desirability of having the reports printed, but it was decided that it would be necessary to first obtain the consent of those who had given the information therein contained, and fche matter was left iv the hands of a Committee.