A LABOUR MEASURE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13938, 21 December 1908, Page 7

A LABOUR MEASURE.

MINERS' EIGHT-HOUR BILL. LORDS AND COMMONS. By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyright. London, December 18. The House of Lords has amended the Coal Miners' Eight Hours Bill, increasing the day's labour ■ by .'half-' an-hour, and deferring the date -f the coming into operation of the Act. (Eeceived December 20, 8.7 p.m.) London, December 19. The House of Commons, after strong protests from the Labour party, agreed to the Government's reluctant acceptance of the House of Lords' amendment to the Miners' Eight Hours Bill, permanently excluding the time occupied in entering and leaving a mine from the stipulated eight hours. The House of Lords' amendment delaying the operation of the Act for 12 months was disagreed with. i Lord Robert Cecil, Conservative i member for East Marylebone, referring to the indignant protest of Mr. A. Ponsonby (Liberal .member for Stirling), at the Government yielding to the House of Lords on the eight hours question, asked whether Mr. Ponsonby had not yet realised that the Government did not intend to attack the House of Lords, despite their heroics. The Government was determined, he added, not to hazard their tenure of office.

FOOTBALL IN ENGLAND.

THE AUSTRALIANS' TOUR. A VICTORY AND A DEFEAT. By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyright. (Received December 21, 1 a.m.) London, December 19. The " Wallabies" (the Australian amateur Rugby team) met and defeated Newport yesterday by a goal (five points) to a try (three points). The Australian professionals were not so successful, their match with Wakefield Trinity resulting in a victory for the home team by four goals four tries (20 points) to two goals three tries' (13 points).

A SUSPENSION REMOVED, (Received December 20, 4.15 p.m.) . London, December 19. Middleton, the Australian footballer, after expressing regret to the Rugby Union for the Oxford incident, has had his suspension removed. Middleton, a member of the "Wallabies" team (Australian amateurs), was suspended for striking an opponent during the progress of the Oxford University match, played on November 18.