WORK AND WAGES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCVIII, Issue 11367, 7 September 1897, Page 6

WORK AND WAGES.

THU ENGINEERS’ STRIKE. THE FREE LABOUR ASSOCIATION. [Per Press Association.! LONDON, Sept. 6. Mr Millar, secretary of the Eree . Labour Protection Association, in a letter to the Times, expresses a hope that he will shortly be able to announce that all the principal employers of Great Britain have joined the Association. He adds that the object of the movement is to redress the despotic tendencies of trade unionism. The London Ironfounders’ Society, by a large majority, declined to join the London allied trades in a demand for an eight hours day. The Engineers’ Union is appealing to the Trades. Union Congress for financial support. AUCKLAND, Sept. 6. At the half-yearly meeting of the Auckland Typographical Association, the Hon W. T. Jennnings presided. He referred to the introduction of linotype composingmachines, the question of apprentices, the recent Typographical Conference at Wellington, unemployed compositors. Government advertising in non-union journals and other matters. The report expressed pleasure that the number of members had increased, and was now 126. The balance-sheet showed the receipts for the half-year to have been ,£54, and the expenditure, including several unusual items, The amount to credit now stood at JE2O6. The secretary, Mr Cleveland, read a report of the interviews of a deputation .with the, proprietors of the daily newspapers in reference to linotype machines, and it was adopted. The report of the conference proceedings at Wellington was also read, and referred to the Board for consideration and report. Some discussion took place with regard to the duty upon linotype machines, and it was agreed to make a recommendation to Conference. A motion that the Association should withdraw from the Trades and Labour Council was lost. The President referred to the number of unemployed compositors, and suggested the formation of a special settlement. He was requested to make all inquiries during the ensuing session of Parliament. It was decided that the Association should reg ter under the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act. THE WELLINGTON FUENITUEE TEADE. WELLINGTON. Sept. 6. At the Conciliation Board, Hr Mnmme, Secretary of the Furniture Trade Union, contended that a log for piecework in the furniture trade could not bo satisfactory here. Mr Wilkie (a member of the Board) pointed out that in all other trades it was possible to ascertain. the cost of preparing an article, and this being ascertainable he thought that it must be possible to prepare a log accordingly. The Chairman (Mr W. H, Quick) said that it was evident that in Dunedin the masters and men had agreed to put all articles,’ the cost of producing which was easily determinable, into a log, while in other cases the men and their employers met in conference to fix prices as occasion required, Mr' Eobinson (president of the Union) asserted that this would never work fairly from the men’s point of view here. Mr ’Mumme condemned piecework as more of' a sweating system than anything else. It is expected that the evidence for the Union will conclude to-morrow. The employers have a number of witnesses to call.