WORLD OF LABOR.

Mataura Ensign, 3 May 1919, Page 5

WORLD OF LABOR.

AUSTRALIAN COAL DISPUTE. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association) SYDNEY, May 2. The miners’ increased wages under the new Federal agreement operate from Monday. The Federation has adopted a. new agreement to prevent further stoppages, under which all disputesl will be referred to special eomimittees.' THE DOMINION POSITION. (Per Ignited Press Association.) WELLINGTON. May 2, Deferring to the aunofmeernent that the -Federal (iovenirnent had decided to commandeer all the coal in the Commonwealth, Hon. A. M. Myers stated to-day that, as far as he could judge at t.ie present moment, the Dominion’s' supply from Newcastle would not he detrimentally afiected, as it was not anticipated that the output from . the mines'would be'minced. The recent strikes in Netviyastle had given considerable cause for anxiety, but from 'information received ho understood that the 1 bulk of the mines bad resumed work and bo hoped that a regular supplyl would soon be .again coming to hand from that source. Further, every endeavor was being made to arrange for oversea ships on route to the Dominion, lioth via America and Australia, to pick up cargoes of coal. The recent epidemic and the strike at Millcrton, together with the continued stoppage of -work at the Green Island mines, Otago, had accentuated the acute shortage of coal winch had existed during :he past two years in practically every oatt of the Dominion. “Every possible dlort is> being in acl however,” concluded Mr M vers, “to do the host I cossihie in the nat oral interests with the supplies that are coming to hand.' 5 TAXI DRIVERS’ AWARD. CHRISTCHURCH, May 2. Before the 'Conciliation Council in the iaxi drivers’ dispute a settlement vas arrived at. Wages will be £3 10s, an increase of 12s fid on the present rate.. Hours will remain as at present, namely GO. for a short week and 70 for a long week or 10 hours a day. The overtime’. rate will bo Is Cd an houi instead .of . Is, ,2d. as under the present award- ' 1 ;. DRIVERS’ DISPUTE SETTLED. , TERMS OF THE A WA111). CHIIISTCHUR CTI, May 3. A dispute between the Canterbury Motor-ear. and Horse Drivers and Livery Stable Employees’ Union and 15 local bodies in Canterbury was settled to-day by the Conciliation Council. Honrs were fixed at. IS per week, and wages for all driver# a( €3 10s. N< distinction was made between_ one-horse* and two-horse drivers. Sanitary employees’ wages are to be C 3 IGs, and overtime is fixed at 2s an hour. Stable attendants will receive tho same wages as the drivers.

The'award applies to tho whole of the Canterbury Industrial District, and will come into force on May 12 and exnmon February 28, 1921.