The Maritime Council.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXIV, Issue 113, 14 May 1890, Page 2

The Maritime Council.

Wellington, May 13. Mr Lomas having arrived, the more important questions were gone iuto by the Maritime Counoil this afternoon. Applica* tions were received from several of the Trade and Labour Councils in the Colony to be affiliated with the Maritime Council, aud this led to a long discussion. The prevailing opinion of members was that there should be one controlling body for tho Colony, and that the Maritime Council shmld be fixed upoa as such body. The question, however, was of so muoh importance that ifc was nofc thought advisable to come to a decision afc once, and ifc was eventually resolved to refer the matter to the various Trade and Labour Councils, inviting them to formulate a scheme for placing the whole of the labor organisations of the Colony under one controlling body. The question will be brought up afc the next meeting of the Council, which is to be held iv October, and ifc is probable fchafc some definite arrangement will then be come to.

Wellington, May 14. This morning tha Maritime Council received deputations from save ral loc.il Unions on tbe labour question, but nothing ot public importance resulted.

A deputation from tho Maritime Council waited on the Railway Commissioners to-day to ask that casual hands employed by the railways in coanection with shipping should be restricted to Union men, and that the wages should be assimilated to the rules paid by private firms. The deputation were asked to reduce their proposals to writing for the Commissioners' consideration. The question was also mentioned of the want of sufficient rolling stock to enable ships to he rapidly, loaded. J£r McKerrow said the matter had already engaged the Commis« sioners' attention,