LABOUR QUESTIONS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9919, 27 December 1897, Page 5

LABOUR QUESTIONS.

THE ENGINEERS' STRIKE. United Press Association—By Electric TelegraphCopyright. Received December 24th, 9.55 a.m. London, December 23. The Engineer says that the employers in the engineering trades expect that the dispute with the men which resulted in the recent conference will be quickly terminated. The employers intimate that they have finally declined to consider the compromise suggested by the engineers for a reduction in the hours of labour to fifty-one a week, and also regard as useless the ballot now being taken among the members of the Society of Engineers upon the question of the acceptance of the masters' proposals. Mr Barnes, secretary of the engineers, states that the engineers of Manchester, Newcastle, Glasgow, and other centres refuse-to resume work unless the hours of labour are reduced and the old conditions of employment conceded. Received December 24th, 9.20 a.m. London, December 24. Mi* Barnes, the secretary, says he is' confident that none of the engineers will accept the terms offered by the employers. Received December 26fch, 5,10 p.m. London, December 24. A conference of the engineering and a hundred trades have discussed a proposal to co-operate to demand fiftyone hours weekly. The resolution passed has not been allowed to transpire. Received December 26fcb, 5.10 p.m. Melbourne, December 26. The Bendigo miners have resolved upon a levy of 3d per member weekly in aid of the engineers' strike. AUSTRALIAN. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph— Copyright. Received December 24th, 10.8 a.m. DEATHS BY DROWNING. Sydney, December 24. Two little girls named Crouch, and a nursegirl named Wilson, were drowned in a water-hole at Orange. It is supposed that one child fell in and the others perished in attempting to rescue her. J' VIOTOEIAJJ iIINBiSAL RESOURCES. Melbourne, December 24. The Government are sending Home Mr Lidgey, one of the assistant geologists, to supply intending investors with up-to-date information concerning the colony's mineral resources without booming mining interests. METHODIST UNION. Adelaide, December 24. A meeting of the Methodist Federal Council resolved that the Methodist union take place in April. ■ Received December 24th, 9.20 p.m. WRECK OF THE FITZROY. Sydney, December 24. The Marine Board suspended Captain Grahl's certificate for six months and Mr James's for three months from the date of the wreck of the Fitzroy. The Board complimented Captain Grahl on his bravery and efforts for the safety of the passengers after the vessel grounded. Received December 26th, 5.10 p.m. CRIMINAL LIBEL. Sydney, December 25. A criminal libel case against John Morton, of the Truth, and Geo. Lonsdale has been tried at Armadale, for making accusations against the Minister of Lands in connection with the land transaction, and a sensational phase was given to the case by one of Morton's witnesses, a woman, making allegation of immorality against Mr Carrufchers. The judge prohibited the publication of the evidence till the other side was heard. A SISTER POISONED. Perth, December 25. A boy, seventeen years of age, named Martin, has been sentenced to death for poisoning his sister. He administered arsenic in a cordial to several persons, and the sister died. His motive was jealousy.