WORK AND WAGES.

Evening Star, Issue 8266, 11 July 1890, Page 4

WORK AND WAGES.

WHY THE LONDOJT POLICE STRUCK. The following ia a copy of the petition which was forwarded two months ago by the metropolitan police to the Home Secretary:—"As you may be aware of, for a considerable time past a feeling of dissatisfaction has existed amongst us at the rate of pay that we receive. This feeling has intensified and grown to such proportions that unmistakeably predict that unless more suitable terms are arranged a serious catastrophe will take place in London, and one that we will regret. We have met and, not being allowed to join a union or form a society, discussed the mutter, and decided to send to you in writing our demands, if Buch they may be termed. We consider that the police force of the metropolis is not sufficient to be able to cope with the serious difficulties that are to-day cropping up, and which mean extra work for us. For instance, the recent demonstrations and large meetings that have been held, at which we must be present to maintain order. We know that men in the force have to go on night duty after having been tramping miles with a procession. For this they receive nothing extra, as, sir, you may know ; and we humbly beg to submit that all extra work shall be paid for at what rate you may see fit. We also consider that the wage on entering the force is not sufficient, and think that if it were raised to 27s per week a number of thoroughly competent uicn would join who to-day will not do ?o, and these would go to make the force stronger, which to-day is badly required. This would mean less of tho extra duty that is imposed on us. With regard to tho wages paid, wo are of opinion that there should be a rise all round ; iMs per week for eight hours' duty per day is not enough ; in fact, we do nut receive what the unskilled laborer receives—viz., (id per hour. This, wc say, is not right or just. The property and lives that wo have to look after should be a sufficient excuse for good wages to bo paid. We are supposed to rise from "4j to 31s per week, bub there are not many who do so, except those whom the superintendent • marks,' or the inspector at the section house can trust for his own interests. Thi3, sir, we say is a monstrous shame. No man can get promoted through his own ability and perseverance; he must be what we term ' well in ' with the superintendent, or tlio latter can keep him at the bottom while he remains in the force. This system, we think, should be abolished, and the man who deserves to be promoted should be. Reserve men should have an increase in their wages."' SHOP ASSISTANTS' I'NION.

A meeting of shop assistants was held in the Y. W.C. Association Kooms last evening, tbe building being crowded. Mr Todd, who occupied the chair, said he was sorry that Mr Fraser (the president) was not present to take the chair, but having another appointment he was unable to attend. There were several matters of importance to como before them, and it would take them some time to get through the business. One of the important items was the question of the increase of the contribution, which was at present, as they knew, exceedingly small ; and if they continued at this rate they would never have much of a balance at the bank, and consequently, as their president had pointed out, they would be unable to come to the front. He hoped this matter would receive the careful consideration of those present, The hairdressers were making a request that they might become affiliated with the shop assistants, and some of the rules required amending so as to make them more suitable to the requirements of the Union. Mr Okay, in moving that the hairdressers be admitted to a'Sliate, said the members of the Union might well feel proud at the amount of success that had attended their efforts so far, and he had much pleasure in moving that the hairdressers'application to be admitted be complied with. This was seconded by Mr Fwwlkr, and carried. The Chairman said the next matter was the increase of the contribution. This was in the hands of Mr Conn, who at last meeting had moved in the matter; but it was thought better to let it stand over. Mr Conn moved that tho contribution be raised to double the present amount. Mr Kusseli. seconded, and in doing so thought the matter a very important one, for without the necessary funds they could do nothing : at tho same time he knew that when men's pockets were touched they were submitted to a very severe trial. He hoped no member wouid oppose this, and that it would be carried unanimously. At the invitation of the chairman a lengthy discussion took place on this subject, amendments being proposed that the contribution be raised by half—making it Is 6d for Beniors and 9d for juniors ; that male seniors pay 2s a month, ladies Is, and juniors 6d ; that all those out of their time pay Is, females Is, and apprentices (both male and female) 6d.

All these on being put were lost, and the original motion that it be doubled—viz., 2s for Beniors and Is for juniors—waa carried. Several of the rules were amended, after which tho Chairman said a copy of the Bill before Parliament to deal with the hours of labor in shops had been obtained, and had been handed to Messrs Howard and Gray for consideration. The hours were found to be anything but what they would like them to be.

Mr Howard said he and Mr Gray had spent considerable time in going through the Bill, and they had come to the conclusicm that it was very unsuitable for them, and would place them in a worse position than they were. They had prepared a draft Bill which he thought would be suitable, and if the meeting passed it he would strongly recommend that copies be sent out to other centres and. also to Wellington. He and Mr Gray considered the Bill unsuitable to their requirements for the following reasons:—First, in No. 58 the time fixed for closing was 7 p.m. five days of the week and 10 p.m. on Saturdays of all shops except schedule 3 —the exemptions were booksellers and newsagents, chemists, coffee-houses, confectioners, eating-houses, fish and oyster, fruit shops, restaurants, and tobacconists. Regarding the exemptions they thought booksellers and tobacconists should not be on the list. Another objection was that, on the petition of threefourths of the shopkeepers, the City or Borough Council might pass a by-law granting a license for any trade to keep opt;n later than 7 p.m. or 10 p.m. This was one of the most objectionable features of the Bill, for while in No. 68 the Government fixed the hour of closing at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Saturday, yet in No. 59, section 2, they left a loophole for the shopkeepers to combine together and make a law as to any I hour they liked to olose, making the Bill, he thought, unworkable. There was in No, I

59, section 6, a provision as to a halfholiday, which could be obtained by a petition to City or Borough Council of a majority of shopkeepers interested. He would submit the dratt Bill as a resolution, and move that copies be sent to Wellington and the great centres. Mr Gray, in seconding, considered the Shop Hours Bill now before Parliament a perfect farce and all bosh. The Chairman, in speaking of tho draft Bill before the meeting, thought that if something of that kind was Bent to other centres and to Parliament they would be able to bring the matter better before Parliament, and so enable them to bring a Bill in that would meet the requirements. Mr Howard's resolution, on being put, was carried unanimously, the following being a copy of the draft Bill submitted :

That tho closing hour of all shops other than chcmißts, coffee houses, confectioners, eating-houses, fish and oyster shops, fruit and vegetable shop«, and restaurants shall be IS p.m. each day ; but any city or borough council may pass a by-law, upon a petit'on from three-fourths of the shopkeepers in any trade, that the dosing hour ba altered to four days at 0 p.m., one day at 1 p.m., and one day at 10 p.m. The particular days on which the lata night and half-holiday ore obsorved to be decided by a majority of threefourths of tho shopkeepers in each trade. On the motion of Mr Hkany it was decided that the question of the Saturday half-holiday be left in abeyance for six months. Tho Chairman drew attention to the desirability of having at an early date a public meeting at which some prominent citizens might be asked to speak, to bring before the public the objects of the Union. Left in the hands of the Committee. A motion by Mr Kerk—"That steps be taken to see what shop assistants are members of the Union"—was carried. In the ease of one of these present who represented himself as a vanman in the grocery trade, and who wished to know whether he should belong to the Shop Assistants' or the Carters' Union, Mr Russell undertook to look into the matter. The meeting then terminated. THE POSTMEN'S STRIKE. LONDON, July 9. The London postmen are not willing to go out on strike before the 21st inst., providing that the "blacklegs" at present employed are dismissed. They intimate that deliveries will be refused if " blacklegs " are further employed. A meeting of 4,000 postmen was held at Camberwell, in Surrey, at midnight, when complaints were made of numerous "blacklegs" being concealed in the vaults of the Central Post Office, The men agreed to refrain from attendance at every office until notifiedthatthe wholeof the "blacklegs" had been dismissed. The secretary oljthe Union advised the men not to injure the "blacklegs" in any way, but to endeavor to gain redress in a peaceful manner. The sorters have joined the Union. Mr Pearce, war correspondent of the ' Daily News,' was mobbed as a spy. Jdly 10.

One hundred men who joined in attacking the" blacklegs" engaged in the Parcel Department have been dismissed. The authorities decline to pledge themselves not to employ additional labor until the 21at inst., and believe that the postmen will be obliged to yield. The officials are confident that they will be able to conduct the service for a few days. The Hon. George M'Lean is in communication with the Shipowners' Association of Australia, and some days will elapse before anything is definitely settled. Nine of the Thames mining companies have adopted the amended scale of wages, working hours, etc., drafted by the Miners' Union. The differences between the Auckland Tram Company and the employes are not (juite settled yet. The Knights of Labor are moving to get the inspector, alleged to have been dismissed for belonging to their body, reinstated.

A large public mooting at Christchurch last night, presided over by Bishop Julius, recommended the New Zealand Assistants' early closing programme as the of legislative enactment. Mr C. P. Hulbcrt, representing tho nia3tcr drapers and outtitters, eaid it was impossible for them to close at fi p.m. on Saturdays, but they were willing to give a half-holiday weekly. The Dublin coal porters' strike is ended, the masters having conceded the men's demands.