IN NEW ZEALAND.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVII, Issue XLVII, 6 March 1912, Page 5

IN NEW ZEALAND.

AUCKLAND LABOURERS' DISPUTE. AUCKLAND, March 5. At a conference of dekgatts of suburban local bodies with the City Council, the Mayor of Auckland stated that he had received an unofficial request that the conference should hear a deputation from the Federation of Labour. The con ference decided, by 23 votes to 4. that it was unnecessary to receive the deputation. The delegates adopted the schedule of wages passed by the City Council.

The Federation of Labour representatives met the Mayor privately late this afternoon, but- no progress has been made, towards a settlement of the dispute. The General La-bourers' Union went about its work as usual to-day, and its officials marked time again. As far as the deadlock with, the City Council and the employers are concerned, members of the Union seem quite of opinion that a strike is certain betore long. The Union will meet to-morrow night, when some decision may be arrived at. AUCKLAND, This Day.

A matter having an important bearing on the threatened strike by general laoourers is the registration at the Arbitration Court of a new union, to be called the "Auckland Suburban Local Bodies Labourers' Union of Workers," 150 strong. WESTPORT R AILWA YMEN'S GRIEVANCES. ! WESTPORT. March 5. The Town Hall was packed to-night when a public meeting, the Mayor (Mr. Greenwood )presiding. was held to decide what action should be taken in connection with the grievances of the men in the local railway workshops. The trouble has been simmering for some time, and the men allege that all efforts to get the grievances remedied have failed. Several speakers at to-night's meeting detailed their grievances, which appeared to be levelled against one man whom they allege was subjecting them to continual pin-pricks. A motion was finally carried requesting the Minister of Railways to grant a public inquiry. WESTPORT COALMINERS' DEMANDS. WESTPORT. March 5. A meeting of representatives of the poal mine owners and the deputies at Westport to-day proved abortive, the former stating that the demands of the deputies could not b e entertained. The miners' delegates meet the mine owners' representatives to-morrow. GREY WATERSIDE WORKERS. GREYMOUTH, March 5. At a meeting of the Grey waterside workers held to-night a ballot was taken (as to whether t'hey shopild join the Federation of Labour. The result was 99 for, 36 against. A vote was also taken on continuance of registration under the Arbitration Act-, when 98 were against continuance and 42 for.

TROUBLE ON A STEAMER. CREW COMPLAINS OF THE MEAT. THE BUTCHER RESIGNS. DUNEDIN. March 5. The departure of the Tarawera was delayed for two hours to-day owing to the firemen and seamen giving 24 hours' notice from Monday morning to discontinue work on the steamer, arid the difficulty in getting men. It appears that the crew found fault with the quality of the meat supplied to them, for which they blamed the ship's cook and*Wtcher. Captain McLean had the meat replaced with perfectly fresh food. The firemen and sailors, however, demanded that the cook and butcher, or at any rat e the latter be taken off the steamer, and the other sailors and firemen in port would not sign on the vessel. The difficulty was solved by the butcher resigning, and the other men thereupon signified their willingness to join the steamier. Only two firemen and one trimmer out of the original crew was left on the vessel when she sailed.