WORK AND WAGES.

Evening Star, Issue 8771, 11 March 1892, Page 2

WORK AND WAGES.

At last night's meeting of the Wellington Trades and Labor Council a communication waß read from a kindred body in New South Waleß with regard to the introduction of bhek labor into Queensland. The Council discussed the matter at some length, and passed the following resolution: —" This Council learn with surprise and regret that it is the intention of the Queensland Government to introduce black labor, and join with the New South Wales Trades and Labor Council in strongly protesting against such action on the part of the Queensland Government,"

The Durham miners will probably go on strike in a fortnight. At a meeting of the Tidal Basin branch of the Sailors and Firemen's Union held at London on January 8 a letter from Mr J. A. Millar, secretary to the New Zealand Federated Seamen's Union, bearing date October 22, 1891, was read. From is we make the following extraots:—" You will be pleased to know that we are getting on our feet again in New Zealand, although it has been a hard struggle, owing to the fact of there being only one company here, as men (especially married men) were afraid to move, having a standing threat over their head that they would be instantly discharged if they paid into the union, and our philanthropic company instituted a so-called benefit society, and compelled every man to join it or leave. This is in force now, but we will kill this through Parliament next session. Hnddart, Parker, and Co , of Melbourne, are having several boats built in England and Scotland for the Australian and New Zealand trade, Would you try and prevent your members from signing three years' artioles at Home wages, as the wages for the Australian ooast are as follows: —Firemen L 0 per month, trimmers L 7, greasers LB, donkeymen LlO, A.8.8. L 7, lamp : trimmers LB, and boatswains L 8 ? Yon Bee if the men dgn for three years they will neither be doing themselves justice nor us, as the unions out here always give men who come out in new boats the option of joining the union right off, and staying in the boat if wanted by the officers; they are secure in signing to be discharged on arrival."