Page 9 Advertisements Column 5

Evening Post, Volume LXXVII, Issue 12, 15 January 1909, Page 9

YOUNG WOMAN MISSING. SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN LOST OVERBOABD. illT TELEGRAPH.— PHESS ASSOCIATION.] AUCKLAND, This Day. A young woman, named Mary Donovan, who was convicted at. Auckland of being an incorrigible rogue, and was sent to the Magdalen Home, Christchurch, has disappeared en route. A telegrari received by Inspector Cullen states that she had not reached her destination, and it was surmised she was lost overboard on the passage from Wellington to Lyfctellon. INVESTIGATION CHALLENGED. ■» THE BOOT TRADE. REPLY OF THE MANUFACTURERS. [BY TELEGEAPH — PRESS ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHURCH, 14th January. The boot manufacturers have issued a lengthy manifesto in reply to the resolutions arrived at by Jie executive of the Federated Boot Trade Union. The manifesto includes the written reply to the anion's demands, and -states that the manufacturers did not anticipate any demands for a material increase in wages or any reduction in hours of labour. The general conditions of labour have been amended from time to time, and, in the opinion of the manufactures, are now sufficient to meet the requirements of the industry with justice on both sides. " On the question of wages, the workmen's federation have admitted," continues the reply, " that employers during the past few years have paid their workmen according to individual merit, and there is no evidence to show that any attempt has been made to conduct the business of boot manufacturing strictly within the limits of the old award. On the contrary, the wages of workmen have been increased considerably during the last award period. The present demands for increased pay and reduction in hours for those branches previously included in" the award amounts to over 34 per cent, upon the amount provided for in the old award, and in addition N to this it is sought to include all unskilled workers at the full rates provided for competent workers, which, together -with the of the ' Improver ' clause, would in the opinion of the Employers' Federation, result ultimately in the absolute ruin of the industry." Regarding b~oot factories and the abolition of the duty on imported boots and shoes, the manifesto states that manufacturers consider if either proposal would ba for the priblic good it must be seen that they are most inconsistent one with the other. If freetvade were established in boots and shoes, the factories could not remain open in competition with the whole world, and men and women now engaged in the industry in tho Dominion would have to seek other employment. Dealing with the Workmen's Federation's resolution, it is asked : (] ) Have manufacturers refused to concede a fair rate of wages ? and (2) have they refused to provide decent conditions of employment for workers connected with the trade? Replying to the first, it is pointed out that when the award expired in 1903 a conference of both parties agreed to its extension without alteration for two years. At the expiration of that period the parties again met, when no material alterations "were made in the conditions of labour, and at the request of the union the agreement was extended for three years. On the last-mentioned occasion a memorandum was sent to both parties which stated that it was understood that the Bootmakers'" Federation did not ask for an advance in the wages of workmen, who at the time of signing the industrial agreement \vere in receipt of Is per houi\ or over, except as, in the opinion of the employers, their merit justly demanded. On the question of conditions, the employers had stated that they were willing to accept a renewal of the last award, and these conditions were identical with those that had been twice unanimously accepted by the interested parties. Probably more than 80 per cent, of men employed under the present award received more than the minimum. The wages ranged up to eighty-five shillings, and this not to foremen. Concluding, the manifesto states that the manufacturers challenge the closest investigation by proper authorities in the public interest, both with regard to conditions of labour and the net results to the manufacturers arising out of the industry. CRICKET. « PROPOSED VISIT OF AN AUSTRALIAN TEAM. [BX TELEGRAPH — PRESS ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHURCH, 14th Jan. At a meeting of the Managing Committee of the Cricket Council held yesterday, a letter was read from Mr. W. P. Melhone, honorary- secretary of the Australian Board of Control for International Cricket, in which it was stated that in reply to the council's lettei- of 30th October, inviting the Australian team to play a series of matches in New Zealand on its way to England, the J board regretted the invitation, could not be accepted. The board would, however, be prepared to arrange for the visit to the Dominion of a second eleven of Australians this season, the council to pay all travelling and hotel expenses, and 5s per day to the players for personal expenses. The committee decided that owing to the lateness of the season the team suggested in the letter from the Board of Control would fail to prove financially successful, and that the Board of Control would be advised to this effect, at the same time suggesting that such a team would be acceptable early in the season. It was also resolved that the honorary secretary should be instructed to write to the Board of Control, enquiring tho terms upon which the Australian team now about to visit England would on its return play a series of matches in New Zealand. It was decided to award the Heathcote Williams Shield, presented by Mr. Heathcote Williams, of Napier, for competition among the primary and secondary schools, to the Christchurch Boys' High School. It is now open for any school to challenge the holders. WELLINGTON BOYS' LEAGUE. The matches in connection with the above will be resumed to-morrow. The following -are the fixtures: — Junior Grade. — V.M.C.A B v. Newtown Congregational, Basin Reserve ; Kelburne v. South Wellington A, No. 2, Newtown Park ; Vivians v. Weslej-s, Basin Reserve; Kent Terrace v. St. James, Basin Reserve ; Trinity v. Institute A, Basin Reserve ; VT.M.C.A. v. Wellington B, No. 3, Newlown Park. Institute B, V.M.C.A. A, ard Marist Bros., have no matches. Senior Grade. — Marist Bros. v. Diamonds, No. 1, Newtown Park ; V.M.C.A A v. V.M.C.A. B, Basin Reserve ; Khandallah a bye. ANGLICAN BOYS' CRICKET LEAGUE. At STewtown Tark— St. Paul's A. v. St. Mark's Choir ; St. Thomas' v. St. Pttei'3 School. At Basin Reserve— St. Paul's B v. St. Peter's Minion; St. Mark's School a bye,