WORK AND WAGES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CVI, Issue 12550, 11 July 1901, Page 5

WORK AND WAGES.

THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN RAILWAY STRIKE. United Press Association—By Eiectrio Telegraph—Copyright. PERTH, July 10. in connection with the- strike are quiet. It is rumoured that the Ministry, which only holds office on sufferance, is likely to resign, and leave the settlement .of the strike to its successors. (Received July 11, 1.15 a.m.) The Premier has forwarded a letter to the Railway Men's Association, stating, that if' the strikers return to work before eight o'clock on Thursday morning they will be reinstated. After that hour absence will be regarded as resignation, and steps will at once be taken to fill the positions. In the event of all the strikers returning, permanent work will be foundfor all the men- temporarily taken oh, during the strike. If the strikers resume, their action will in no way prejudice the Government proposal to refer the disputes to a Board of Inquiry. [Pee Pkess Association.] AUCKLAND, July 10. The Miners' Union has formally rejected the award of tfie Conciliation Board an the mining dispute, and has appealed to the Arbitration Court. In connection with a case submitted by the Carters' Union to tho Conciliation Board, originally about fifty-three leading firms were cited. The employers now forward to the Union 'the names of thirtyfive more persons who employ drivers, including doctors, donkeymen and Chinese. The Union decided to' return the list to the employers, with the intimation' that they would'leave it to them to cite those whom tney pleased, also that the Union would take steps to .cite those ifc was considered should 'be fitly included in the proceeding. ♦ •'■-.'.

SHOPS AND OFFICES BILL. A meeting of wholesale warehouse employees affected by the Shops and Offices Bill was held last evening, Mr G. J. Smith in the .chair. The Chairman said he was there b~y invitation. : - Regarding the Bill itself, there was much to be said in its favour, but in so far as it was likely t<i affect warehouse employees, he thought the conditions under which these were now working were so pleasant and amicable that it was undesirable to alter the relations between! the ■employers and employed. Mr P. Davidson said that all would agree with him that in Ohristchurch, at least, the employees wbto fairly and squarely treated by the employers, and such interference as the. Bi-x proposed was wholly unnecessary. Mr Woodrough feared that the Bill would bring on? friction, and they oughv to take every step to prevent it becoming law.. Another speaker said things were going on very happily at present, and it would ■be much to be regretted if existing arrangements were upset. Mr .taker endorsed what had beew said. If- the employees did a- little overtime in the busy season, they, did riot-mind, seeing that- 't-ney were well treated in the slack time. Mr Collins said they ought to take na action, against that part ol the Bill which was in the interests of bank clerks and others; and it was pointed out that the objection was to those clauses only which affected the warehouse employees. The Chairman alluded to- certain clauses of the Bill, which, if passed, would probably mean the loss oi the 'Saturday halfholiday. ■ ' Mr Davidson read a telegram from Auckland, to the effect that at a large and representative meeting of warehouse employees, held there on Tuesday night, it had been resolved to petition the G-overn-melnt to eliminate all the clauses affecting .warehouse employees, and to ask the co-operation- of Christchurch in the mover ment. The following resolution was passed—- " That this meeting unanimously resolves to petition Government to eliminate allthe clauses referring to warehouse employees in the Shops and Offices Bill, on •the ground; that their inclusion will tend •to extend the hours of labour, and disturb the present harmonious feeling existing between 'employers and employed; that a committee" bs formed to carry into effect the above resolution, and that the Chairman be' requested to forward a copy (ft it to the Premier, to the dM.nister in charge of the Bill, and to the members of Parliament for the Cant-ei-ibury district."