THE LABOUR AGITATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8270, 31 May 1890, Page 5

THE LABOUR AGITATION.

Press Association.— Electric Telegraph.— Copyright.

Sydney, May 30. The masters in the clothing trade have conceded the employees demand for increase of wages, and the threatened strike has been averted.

The Marine Officers Association here have received no official information with reference to the demands made by the New Zealand Mercantile Marine Officers Association, and astonishment is expressed at the tatter's attitude, which is considered to be high-handed. The agreement between the representatives of the Victoria and New South Wales Associations with the secretary of the New Zealand Association and the secretary of the Steam-owners Association was that no steps should be taken until after the Conference to be held in Sydney with the Steamshipowners Association. It is understood that the local branch of the Officers Association lias telegraphed to the secretary of the New Zealand Association protesting against the action taken, and giving him clearly to understand that such action will not be supported by the Australian Association.

There is a general movement among operatives in the Government employ to form Unions for the purpose of demanding eight hours' labour and other extensive concessions.

,[BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Friday. The secretary of the Federated Trades Council has written to the proprietors of the tramway regarding the increase of £1463 in wages (which the latter say would bo involved by the acceptance of the rules of tramway employees), and states that the Council consider that the tramway fares are needlessly low, and that they might reasonably be increased a little. A deputation from the Council will probably wait on one of the proprietors to-morrow. There is still a slight friction between the Woollen Company and the Trades Council, owing to the directors refusing to re-instate two or three men whom they claim to have discharged on distinctly personal grounds. The demand of the Marine Association, that provision should be made by steamship owners for supplying their officers with refreshments at "night, is when the officers have been working cargo at night, and not when coming off duty, as first mentioned. The steamship-owners have written to the Association asking that as their circular contains very important demands they should be allowed six weeks to consider the matter. The Association is willing to grant an extension of time, but not for the period asked. Captain Highman, the secretary of the Association, is confident of the matter being amicably arranged.