MR ALLISON SMITH AND THE WORKMEN.

Press, Volume XLVII, Issue 7736, 16 December 1890, Page 6

MR ALLISON SMITH AND THE WORKMEN.

(nox oca cqbbbskhh&iwQ* \JBtTklbbraps vboh xhbßlot* , ,) ■ MELBOURNE, December 9. • Mr Allison Smith seems to hare a happy knack of getting into trouble with the men under him. The following is from the Argus of last Thursday:—-" A very strong feeling of resentment has been evoked amongst the operatives employed in the railway workshops at Newport by 6ie appointment of a man named C. PeSasberton to superintend the construction of 200 wagons, which ate to be manufactured in the shop. The appointment has been made by Mr Allium Smith, it' is. said, in opposition to the advice of the foreman in the workshops. Mr Pemberton isa fitter by trade, and though only a few years in the department has been set to superintend the wood workers, for which' position ne has had no special training. A mass meeting of about 2000 men was held yesterday at mid-day. A resolution was .passed stating that the operatives viewed with alarm the action taken by Mr Smith in »»airing ffyq appointment, which wasopposed both to the interests of the country and the service. The men were desirous of making a very strong demonstration in opposition to the appointment, and applied lor leave in order' that they might go ac a body to protest, but Mr J. Gill, the foreman, induced them to return to work, allowing a limited number to have leave in order to form a deputation. It is alleged that Mr Pemberton has been promoted over hundreds of men who are his seniors, and who have ' a special knowledge of the work, whilet he has none." , The latest news is that the trouble has been settled, the following appearing this morning:—"The difficulty .which arose at the Newport workshops has' now been settled. According to the report' which the Commissioners received concerning the matter Mr Pemberton was merely appointed to superintend this work during the absence on leave of the foreman, but Pemberton being a machinist the wood-workers stronyly objected, to the appointment. The foreman having now returned to work, Mr Pemberton ceased to have anything to do with the wood' work."