INDUSTRIAL MATTERS.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume II, Issue 47, 8 February 1912, Page 5

INDUSTRIAL MATTERS.

MINERS' MINIMUM WAGE. [press association COPYRIGHT.] London, Feb. 7. The South Wales Miners Council has accepted the National Federation's proposal for the minimum wage basis, while deploring the federation’s action tn reducing the amount. It was resolved that the final agreement, must be submitted to a ballot.

A DEAD LOCK. EMPLOYERS WITHDRAW FROM CONFERENCE. (Received 8, 10.50 a.m.) London. F’eb. 7. A eiisis has hmm reached at the National Confereiu-e owing to Mr. Enoch Edwards’ stand, on behalf of th,’ miners, who, iu- said, are de termined to ignore existing agreements in connection with the- demand for a minimum wage. South Wales coal owners thereupon withdrew regarding the statement as a notification of their intention to tear up the agreements. SHALE WORKS TO BE CLOSED (Received 8, 11.5 a.m.) Sydney, Feb. 8. Following the rejection by the coal and shale miners of the increased wages offered b ythe Commonwealth Oil Corporaiion the latter his givin a fortnight's notice of closing the works. MASTER BAKERS CONFERENCE I PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington( Feb. 7. Ri presentative New Zealand ira ter bakers met in conference at the Town Hall to-day. Air. S. Alerdon (Newmarket) was president and Mr. Norton (Lyttelton) vice-president Among those present were Messrs Kellcw, Langdon, Fisher and James (Wellington), Gardener, Burton and Cowan (Auckland), J. Glass and J. McGregor (Devonport), Laurenson and White (Dunedin), W'right (Napier), Broadway and Boon (Christ church), and Barbord (Timaru). Alessrs C. Dyer ami Blair were present as representing the Federal bakers of Australia and the Queensland and New South Wales Associations v’l're al«o represented. Air. C. B. King (Auckland) is secretary to the conference.

After the transaction of routine and other business to-day the delegates and visitors, ns guests of the local association, paid a visit to Ireland Bay in brakes. To-morrow evening they will be entertained at a i moke coneeii at Ihe Freemasons' Hall, and on Friday they lunch together at Dav’s Bay. TROUBLE AT MEAT AVORKS. TEMPORARY CESSATION OF ’ WORK. [BY TELEGRAPH — SPECIAL. ] (Own Correspondent). Wcliingruii. Feb. 7. There was a slight, cessation of work at the Gear Meat Company's works at Perone this morning. Early in the morning one of the subcontractors dismissed a boy employed as a “gutty’’ because it is asserted he was incompetent. The boy immediately complained to his fellow workers Iron) whom, it is understood, he received little sympathy. It should be mentioned here that this class of men now participate in the contracts, and il is not ti.- their interests to have working with them any but (he mosi competent. The boy w r as not satisfied with the result of this interview, so he made complaint to other sections of workers. These began to show some interest in the box's case ami work ceased, while the position was taken into consideration. Full enquiry was made as to the reasons for the dismissal, but in tiie end the men were satisfied that the sub-eon-tractor had acted reasonably and work was resumed. The trouble lasted about two hours. NEW ZEALAND LABOUR PARTY NAPIER BRANCH FORMED. There was a fair attendance at th<» meeting in Abbott's Hall, Napier, last evening when a branch of the New Zealand Labour Party was formed. Air D. Golder presided and explained lhe objects of the parti in municipal and political matters. The following officers were clecttd: President, Air. I). Golder; secretary and Treasurer. Mr J. E. Hartley ; management committee. Messrs A. Adams, I). Pliairu, J. E. Bull:lant, A. Ogelivy, J. lloirai!. G. T. Robinson, J. Liston and the secretary and president. It was decided that meetings should bo held monthly and that the next should be on the 28th inst. in the Trades; Hall.