WORK AND WAGES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIX, Issue 14660, 16 April 1908, Page 7

WORK AND WAGES.

A STRIKE THREATENED. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. (Received April 15, 11.40 p.m.) LONDON, April 15

The employees of tho North-Eastern Railway Company threaten to strike in support of a programme including tin eight-hour day for all grades engaged in tho movement of vehicles, and a payment of two shillings extra weekly to all working over eight hours.

ANOTHER STRIKE. SYDNEY, April 15. A.strike of wheelers has thrown, the Bur wood pit idle.

[Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND April 15. Tho acutoness of tho labour problem was pointed out by Mr A. Clark, chairman of tho Auckland Industrial Association, yesterday. Ho said that the prejudice against local industries had been, to a sreat extent, overcome, but they wero faced with a great difficulty in connection, with tho labour supply. In tho soft goods trade his firm alone could find employment for fifty to one hundred hands more. In consequence of the shortage of labour, and much against the firm's will, they had had to import goods which they could manufacture here to greater advantage, and possibly sell locally with greater profit to themselves. But they wer 0 not able to do so because they could not get labour to manufacture the goods tho public were crying out for. It was a very serious matter and a question which the Association should take up.

Mr Lustico Sim has given, the following interpretation of Clause 2 of the United Boiler-makers' and Iron and Steel Ship Builders' award: "Firstclass boiler-makers" shall mean those engaged to do flanging and angle-iron work and also all those engaged to do steam-tight work who are competent to set out a boiler.' This class shall not receivo less than Is 4Jd per hour." Regarding the definition of a first-class boiler-maker, his Honor directs —" The worker, to be a first-class boiler-maker, must be competent to set out any type of boiler that is usually made in the dominion."