WORK AND WAGES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCV, Issue 10912, 21 March 1896, Page 5

WORK AND WAGES.

THE NEWCASTLE MINERS. [Pee. Press Association.] SYDNEY, March 20. & Though the ballot returns have been kept as far as possible secret, latest advices are that the Newcastle lodges are voting largely in favour of a strike and a general stoppage is imminent. PRIVATE BENEFIT SOCIETIES. WELLINGTON, March 20.

At the meeting of the Trades and Labour Council, a letter was received from the Federated Seamen’s Union, soliciting , the support of the Council in the direction of assisting the Union, by any means that might be deemed expedient, to abolish those private benefit societies instituted by employers, where the employment was conditional only on accepting membership. Societies of this nature were becoming so numerous as to seriously menace the interests and liberty of the wage-earners generally. Most of these societies, the letter stated, were established ostensibly for philanthropic purposes, but experience had shown that the majority were merely thinly disguised - capitalistic devices to keep the wage-eapners in subjection and more effectually Lend them to the wishes of the employers. The members of the Union felt themselves sorely oppressed in being compelled to contribute to the Society incepted by the Union Steamship Company some years ago. The rules of this society were arbitrary in the extreme, and clearly showed the reasons for bringing it into existence. No changes could be effected-in its constitution without the consent of the company, which further insisted, that jio person in its employ should be. a member of a Union that the company does not recognise. With the reign of terror now exercised over them, the mpmbacs dared not raise their voices against this tyranny, and they now looked to the Legislature to grant them relief. The Union was of opinion that if sufficient pressure could be brought to bear, the Gorvemmen.fcmigl}t be induced to include such a measure in its policy next session, which would materially enhance its prospects whqn it reached the Legislative CounciL The letter was referred to the conference.

At the.half-yearly meeting of*s)ie Trades Council, the report showed that the Council had done good work, and the balancesheet showed that the finances were in a sound condition. Mr H. C. Jones was reelected president and Mr E. E. Vanoy secretary. DUNEDIN, March 20, At a meeting of the Conciliation Board of Otago and Southland Mr W. A. Sim, (Stout, Mondy and Sim) was appointed chairman. The Trades and Labour Council bis appointed three delegates to attend the Trades Conference at Invercargill {at Easter. They were authorised to support the Seamen’s Union’s proposal with regard to private benefit societies. THE BOOT TEADE. The following is a copy of a letter tbit has been received by Mr H. Milligan, secretary of the Bootmakers’ Union, dated Dunedin, March 16 : Dear Sir, —We exceedingly regret that all our endeavours to arrive at some mutually satisfactory arrangement regarding terms of labour and Wages should have again proved futile. Our voluminous correspondence, embracing suggestions, counter - suggestions, refusals and withdrawals, leave ns at this date practically as. far advanced as when the adjourned conference of Jan. 7, 1896, passed the resolution placing both sides in a free and independent position. _ We therefore now revert to that position, having failed to alter it. We would in courtesy, however, to your position, inform you that on and after March 30, 1896, each member of our Association will work undev the rules and conditions of labour as per enclosed statement, . which will be duly posted, in the factories on March 20, tbs giving all parties ample intimation of our intention. In regard to the matter of wages, it is our opinion that this is a question that is always best approached by both capital and labour mutually agreeing to appoint, say, six duly authorised delegates empowered to frame a. statement under which both would mutually and satisfactorily work. If at any time it he your wish to open the question thus, we are prepared to meet you in all fairness of spirit.—lam, &c., Alfked. H. Beidgee, Secretary for the New Zealand Boot Manufacturers’ Association.