WORK AND WAGES.

Evening Star, Issue 8479, 2 April 1891, Page 2

WORK AND WAGES.

[By Electric Telegraph,—Copyright.] [Per Press Association.]

LONDON, April 1 (Received April 2,1891, at 10.50 a.m.)

The Miners’ Congress at Paris represents nearly a million men, one-half of whom are trade unionists,

THE SHEARERS’ TROUBLE.

THE LATEST BOYCOTT.

BRISBANE, April 2,

The military authorities at Barcaldine, having been boycotted by the carriers, are unable without great difficulty to procure supplies for the troops. The Government have gazetted regulations to the effect that any persons refusing to work for the Government render themselves liable to a fine of LIOO. No further difficulty is anticipated on this head. An attempt has been made to wreck a railway bridge at Clermont.

POSTAL AND TELEGRAPH OFFICERS’ SOCIETY.

[Special to the Stab.]

WELLINGTON, Apbil 2,

The Conference has been in committee all the morning till the luncheon adjournment considering necessary alterations in the rules of the society.

The 4 New Zealand Times ’ this morning, in a sub-leader on yesterday’s deputation, says 44 We should not be surprised to learn that the deputation of the Postal and Telegraph Association was considerably astonished by Mr Ward’s refusal to recognise that body. We should be even less surprised if that reply were to make the Railway Commissioners stare. In plain terms Mr Ward refused to recognise the Association. There cannot be two heads; discipline must be maintained. Government must be approached directly in the matter of grievances—not through any association. This is true in principle; but a great many people who are supporting the Government declared that the Railway Commissioners, when they said the same thing to a deputation from the Railway Association, were trying to force the men to strike. Eventually the Commissioners gave way and recognised the society, bat after a time recovered their lost ground. It is pleasant, though a little astonishing, to find the Government in union with them on the important questions of command, discipline, and redress of grievances. What is good for the postal and telegraph men is good for the railway men. The Minister at the same time was very cordial to the deputation. It is plain he recognises that the claims of these officers are just and worthy of his sympathy. Theirs is the most successful department of the public service, and the worst paid—the greatest skill, biggest responsibility, longest hours, highest sense of honor, biggest profit to the State, and least pay. The last spoils the combination. Classification, if well devised, will improve the position of these officers. Happily for them the Ministry will do their best with their lights to make the classification what it ought to be. They certainly deserve the best treatment the State can give them.”

At to-day’s meeting of the Conference of master printers the first business was the election of office-bearers, when Messrs Mitchell, Wilkin, and Wilkie were respectively elected as president, vicepresident, and secretary. Thereafter consideration was given to several matters affecting the trade, and a deputation from the New Zealand Typographical Association was received. It was decided to hold a conference of both bodies at a later hour, when the subjects mentioned by the deputation will be more fully considered. The utmost harmony exists between the master printers* associations represented, and no doubt the result of the Conference will prove beneficial to all branches of the trade.