AFTERNOON SHIFT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16569, 5 June 1914, Page 7

AFTERNOON SHIFT.

THE MAITLAND TROUBLE. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright. SYDNEY, June 4. Tlio Australasian Federation of Labour will moet on Saturday to consider the position of the coal strike. ■ An effort is also being made to call a committee meeting of the Australasian Unions’ Financial assistance is promised to the families of miners from unions affiliated to the Federation. DEPUTATION TO MINISTER. . (Received Juno 5, 12.30 a.m.) SYDNEY, Juno 4. A deputation representative of various coal-mining districts submitted to Mr Gann numerous proposed amendments of the Mining Act, including limiting the hours of underground workers to eight, hank to bank, and the abolition of all night work excepting emergency developmental labour. These proposals involve the abolition of the afternoon shift.

Mr Watson, president of the Northern Minors’ Association, claimed that if individuals who held a monopoly of trade were allowed to work only on© shift it would tend to the development of the industry. Mr Cann replied that ho intended to try to give effect to the eight-hour principle, but he was not prepared to agree to abolishing the afternoon shift. It depended whether the miners were strong enough to insist on abolition. Ho thought they would have to get down.

Mr Watson interjected: "They may, but there will be a struggle.” Mr Gann promised sympathetic consideration of most of the other suggestions. WAIHORA LAID UP. Yesterday afternoon the Union Company’s big collier Waihora completed discharge of her cargo of poles and coa! at Lyttelton and was ready to- proceed to Newcastle when it was decided or. account of the trouble at the Maitland collieries to cancel the departure of the vessel. This morning the Waihora will go into the stream and take up an anchorage. Her crew, with the exception of those necessary for the safety of the craft, will be paid off to-night.