WORK AND WAGES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16566, 2 June 1914, Page 7

WORK AND WAGES.

COALFIELDS CRISIS. THE AFTERNOON SHIFT QUESTION. By Tolegraph—Pres3 Association —Copyright. SYDNEY, Juno 1. A crisis is approaching in the Maitland coalfield. Tho managers of nine pits linvo given notice to the miners that unless they resume the afternoon shift the collieries will bo closcrl.

THE MEN DETERMINED

PITS LIKELY TO BE CLOSED DOWN. (Received Juno 2, 1.5 a.m.) SYDNEY, Juno 1.

A crisis at the Maitland coalfields appears inevitable. Notice has been posted at the pits that unless tho men worked the afternoon shift to-day tho mines would be closed dovn.

The men at tho Greta pit did not work the afternoon shift and those in other collieries appear equally determined. It is almost certain that these pits will be closed to-morroiv, throwing idle nearly four thousand men. Tho executive of the Miners’ Federation is not advising tho men in the matter, leaving them to fight their’ own battle, but an attempt will bo made to confine the trouble to the Maitland field. BUILDING TRADE DISPUTE. THREE THOUSAND MEN IDLE. PERTH, June 1. Three thousand men have been rendered idle in connection with the building trade trouble, UNEMPLOYED IN DUNEDIN. [Pee Peess Association.] DUNEDIN, June 1. A meeting of the unemployed genoral labourers was held this morning. The response to the call did not, it was claimed, indicate the true position of unemployment in Dunedin. Nineteen married man, with eighty-fivo dependents, and twenty-three single men, with six dependents, answered the roll call. All were able-bodied men, who stated that they were anxious for work. It was resolved that a special meeting of the Union should be held to-night, when probably steps will be taken to plaoe the position before Mr Massey.

THE WAIHI MINERS. [Per Press Association.] WAIHI, Juno I. As the outcome of the special meeting last week, the Miners’ Union executive waited on the superintendent of the Waihi and Grand Junction mines to-day in respect to the recent dismissals. The companies have replied We reserve to ourselves the right to engage or discharge any employees wo choose. HOTEL EMPLOYEES’ UNION. . The Canterbury Hotel Employees' Union has arrived at an industrial agreement with the Canterbury' Licensed Victuallers’ Association to govern the conditions of work in respect of the Lyttelton, Sumner and New Brighton hotels, the Star Hotel at Addington and the Papanui Hotel. LONDON BUILDING TRADES. TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —I have seen occasional mention in your columns of the trouble in the London building trades, but few people have any. idea of the real cause of the lock-out. The federated master builders are asking the men who seek employment to sign a certain document, justly called by the men the odious document, of which the following is a copy:— Tl To Messrs . I agree if employed by you to peacefully work with my fellow-employees (engaged either in your direct employment or in that of any sub-contractor), whether they are members of a Trade Society or not, and I agreo that I will not leave your employment because any of my fellowemployees is or is not a member of any Trade Society; and I also agree that if I commit any breach of this agreement I shall be subject to a fine or twenty shillings, and I agree that the amount of such fine may be deducted from any wages which may he due to me. Witness Name Address .”

I am sure that no person with an ounce of manhood in him would sign such an agreement, which is being forced upon the men with the obvious intention of breaking up the trade unions. A trade unionist i 9 a man with a beautiful ideal., i.e., the uplifting and purifying of his handicraft, the betterment of his social, moral and physical condition, and of those dependent on him. Therefore my sympathy goes out to the men in London who are steadfastly refusing to sign 6uch a degrading agreement.—l am, etc., T.F.