WORK AND WAGES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIII, Issue 10596, 4 March 1895, Page 5

WORK AND WAGES.

THE ENGLISH MINING TROUBLE. [Special to Press Association.) LONDON, March 1. The mine-owners of Wales, renewing the sliding scale, offered the men per cent, with 1 per cent on each shilling of the advance in the price of coal. The men demanded 10 per cant, and notified that they would cease work if it were not conceded. One hundred thousand men will be involved if there is a strike. The employers in Lancashire have give notice to sixty thousand cotton operatives of their intention to reduce ■yages by 5 per cent, March 2. The Workshops and Factories Bill has been read a first time. It includes laundries, bakehouses, docks, wharves and building operations where machinery is employed, and also provides for the registration of all workshops. The measure has been favourably received. THE NEW SOUTH WALES LABOUR CONFERENCE. THE PASTOEALISTS’ UNION. SYDNEY, March 2. The Labour Conference has finished. It was decided to bring under the notice of the Board of Health in each colony, the hut accommodation on many stations, also to obtain particulars necessary to formulate specific charges against owners of stations. The Conference agreed to establish a fund for the relief of the wives and families of members imprisoned in connection with the shearing disputes. It was further decided to admit all classes of labour in towns and cities 1 to membership, the subscription to be 3s per quarter. The Pastoraliats’ Federal Council decided not to alter ths 1894 agreement. In connection with the recent report furnished by the Workers’ Conference, the secretary of the local Pastoralieta’ Union has written to the secretary of the Workers’ Union that he can only regard the report as a threat that unless the Pastoralists’ Union accedes to the request contained in the report, the outrages of last year will be repeated during the coming season “ with the sanction of. your union, and that the perpetrators 'will, as in the past, have the pecuniary issistance and support of your Union.” The letter concludes: —“ Under these circumstances I am directed to decline further communication with you, or the Worker;’ Union.” ■ NEWCASTLE, March 3. The Duckenfield, Wall send. Back Creek and, Seahsm miners have decided to take united action in resisting the threatened reduction in rates, and will alao attempt to reorganise the Miners’ Association. If the attempt fails, then the four lodges named will form themselves into a separate association. Work in the Back Creek and Duckenfield mines will be resumed with non-unionists, under strong police protection, to-morrow. Two hundred of the companies’ late employes living on their properties are to be evicted.