THE LABOUR STRUGGLE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 998, 17 April 1891, Page 31

THE LABOUR STRUGGLE.

PER press association. London, April 10. The personnel of the Government Labour Commission has been submitted to the Queen. Those who have seats on the Commission are the Marquis of Hartington (Chairman), Sir M. Hicks Beach. Sir John Gorst, the Right Hon L. H. Courteney, Right Hon A. J. Mundella, Right Hon H. H. Fowler, Messrs T. Burt and J. Austin, Messrs P. J. Mawdsley (Secretary of Opera, tive Cotton Spinners’ Union) and Macdale, and Sir Peter Tait. The Irish members persist in their desire to have Mr M. Davitt on the Commission, and Mr Justin McCarthy will move that his name be added. London, April 11. The Labour Commission consists of twenty-seven inquiries. These include the relations and combinations of employers and employed, and the conditions of labour as raised by the recent trade disputes. The Commissioners are also required to report as to the legislation necessary to remedy grievances. The Pall Mall Gazette condemns the omission of colonial members on the Commission, and suggests that the name of Sir Andrew Clarke should be added. London, April 12. The London and Dublin Trades and Labour Councils intend to petition for the release of Wilson, Secretary of the Seamen’s Union, who was sentenced to six week’s imprisonment for inciting strikers at Cardiff to riot. The Government Labour Commission meet in a fortnight. In the House of Commons Mr TV. H. Smith moved the following additions to the Commission s—Lord Derby, Sir E. J. Karland, Sir C. E. Pollock, Sir W. T. Lewis, Mr G. W. Balfour, M.P., Mr J. Collinga, M.P., Mr W. Abraham, M.P., Mr T, Bolton,

M.P., Professor Marshall, Messrs T. H. Ismay. G. Livesey, Turnstall, S. Flimsoll and Hewlett.

London, April 13. The police dispersed a meeting of mill hands on strike at Bradford with their batons. There is great excitement in the place, and the military are held in readiness. The Shipping Federation has decided that the existing Is registration ticket insures the holder for £25 if drowned or killed on a federation ship. The officers benefit to a greater degree. The London strike cost the Federation £15,000, including £12,000 for wages paid to free labourers. Washington, April 10 Twenty-five thousand colliers in Ohio and Pennsylvania strike on Ist May, nnlesa the eight hours’ principle is conceded. Brisbane, April 9. The South Queensland carriers will not strike, ard begin oavting wool shortly. At a meeting of shearers at Blackall it was decided to recommend the Strike Committee to waive freedom of contract on condition the pastorali&ts guarantee that for a specified time they will not employ alien labour, reduce wages, or throw obstaclea in the way of the Union organisation. Brisbane, April 13. At a meeting of Unionists at Barcaldine, the principal of freedom of contract was rejected by 1100 vote 3, only nine being recorded in favour of it. Four hundred non-unionists have arrived at Rockhampton and gone on to Barcaldine undisturbed. The Blackall Unionists have taken a ballot on the question of freedom of contract, the result being 160 against and only four in favour of it. Auckland, April 9. The members of the Boot Manufacturers’ Association have completed the new wages statement under which they invite the men to work. They claim that the statemant gives an advance on all previous statements, and that good henchmen can get upwards of 10s a day at piece work. The offer of work under this statement will be open for a week before other arrangements are made. Auckland, April 14. At a meeting of the Boot Manufacturers’ Association it was resolved not to entertain the proposals made by Mr J. M. Shera, for a conference with the employes regarding the strike.