WORK AND WAGES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 9724, 13 May 1892, Page 5

WORK AND WAGES.

THE EIGHT HOURS SYSTEM. [Special to Press Association.] LONDON, May 11. In reply to a deputation from the London Trades Council as to tho eight hours system, tho Premier, said he did not believe a reduction in hours would produce an increase in work or wages. It would be a tremendous experiment, risking the interests of the whole community, and would drive many employers to countries where a lower rate of wages was in force. He believed any attempt to force the system into operation would injure tho workmen most. The slower action of public opinion was preferable to invoking the aid of the law, or ordering .strikes. He admitted that sympathy with the movement was growing, but employers would certainly defeat any immediate attempt to limit hours by legislation. Mr Balfour concurred with Lord Salisbury’s opinion. He thought an eight hours law would noc apply equally to all conditions of labour, and would prove as crude a method of solving the difficulty as the use of strikes. Lord Salisbury and Messrs Balfour and Gosohen also received a deputation on the subject of commercial and rural labour, in tho course of which the Premier mentioned that the Government bad arranged to confer with the United States on the silver question. [Received May 12, at 7.80 p.m.] Mr G. Slupton introduced the eight hours deputation to tho Government, and staled that it was not desired to include trades which desired exemption. The Marquis of Salisbury said ho gathered from the deputation that they admitted there was only general desire for a legal eight hours, and that there was not any unanimity in tho matter. He thought much additional discussion was required before action could be taken which would embody the common wish. ila doubted if legislation would prove easy or safe, and the belief that wages would remain unaltered was a most marvellous conviction. He mentioned that consumption was certain to decrease, and employment must diminish. Mr Balfour, iu replying, said it was rash to rely on Parliament to effect the objects of the deputation, which could be much better achieved by other methods. Mr John Burns was not one of those forming the deputation.