WORK AND WAGES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXV, Issue 9446, 22 June 1891, Page 5

WORK AND WAGES.

THE FACTORY BILL. ( Special to Bbesk Association, j [Received Juno 20, at 10 a.m.J LONDON, June 19. In the House o£ Commons the Factory Bill, limiting the hours of working for women and children in factories and workshops, was under discussion. Mr S. 0. Buxton, M.P. for Poplar, moved an amendment, prohibiting children under eleven years of age being employed. The Government, which desired that the age should be fixed at ten years, opposed the amendment ; but after discussion Mr Buxton’s proposal was carried by a majority of sixteen. [Received June 21, at 6,10 p.m.] June 20. The strike of Jewish tailors in Loudon has collapsed, and the men are returning to work. [Received June 20, at 10 a.m.] SYDNEY, June 20. The bootmakers, locked-out in Auckland, have applied to the Miners’ Association, Newcastle, for assistance. BRISBANE, June 20. Three men, named M'Keiszio, Riley and M'Donald, have been arrested on a charge of attempting to destroy a train conveying free labourers, by sav/ing the piles of a railway bridge. M'Don&ld turned Queen’s evidence, and has proved the offence. [Per Press Association,] ■WELLINGTON, June 20. The Labour Conference has discussed and approved the Truck Bill, and adjourned until Monday, when the Industrial Conciliation Bill will be considered. WELCOMING THE LABOUR .DELEGATES. [from our own correspondent.] ■WELLINGTON, June 21. A monster and import.ant meeting is to bo held to-morrow evening, in the Opera House, to welcome the Labour Conference delegatee. Thu Minister for Education and Sir George Grey will be among the speakers, and it is intended to take some initial steps towards the formation of a National Liberal Association. Very great preparation;; ara on foot, and the gathering will be one or tbe most noteworthy ever held here. The labour members of the House are gaining very much in popular estimation. They (ire,- for the roost wart, logical and practical, «nc|l they are certainly earnest and unfciring.Au the discharge of their duties, and it *; most instructive and agreeable to converts with them. I have personally to add that in my opinion the Labour Party’s selections do honour to their choice.

SHEARERS’ UNION. On Saturday evening, a meeting of shearers, convened e.t the instance of Mr J. R. M'Donald, delegate from the Amalgamated Shearers’ Union of Australasia, was held in the Trades’ Hall. There were about fotty present;, and Mr C. J. Eae was voted to the chair. lu opening the meeting, the Chairman said that, though not a shearer, he had a son who had been a martyr to the cause of Unionism, and ho sympathised greatly with the cause. Mr M‘Donald delivered a lengthy address, in which he explained the action of the Queensland shearers in maintaining their rights, and said that what was required was that a conference bo held to decide on a freedom of contract clause with justice to both parties. As it wav, the sheep owner;' insisted on shcaicra wos king alongside of Chinamen, Kanakas and other objectiorablo persons, and the pbcarera had no redress and bad been locked out, whereas, if they committed a slight breach of their ruler, heavy fines and even imprisonment were inflicted. Ho appealed to New Zealand shearer:; not to g ■ over at dm p;-« juncture, and ho **•'*-• d I hem for pecuniary assistance for the Queensland men. At the conclusion of Mr M'Donald’s

address several questions were asked and replied to satisfactorily. A strong Committee was elected to collect funds, and to use its influence to prevent shearers leaving New Zealand for Queensland during the present crisis. The meeting was unanimously of opinion that the work of organising a branch of the Australian Shearers’ Union in New Zealand should be begun as soon as possible. A vote of thanks was accorded to Mr M'Donald, and the Committee met to make necessary arrangements.