THE LABOUR WORLD.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1248, 30 January 1896, Page 34

THE LABOUR WORLD.

The Premier's attention has been drawn to the very long hours and the arduous duties of the stewardesses on board the inter-colonial steamers. It has been represented that lady passengers and children require very much more attention than adult male passengers, and that the number of .stewardesses on these steamers is disproportionately small when compared with the number of .stewards, their relative numbers en large steamers being about three stewardesses to a dozen stewards. The Premier has stated that he will bring the /natter under the notice of the steamship owners, ami that due enquiry will be made. He felt sure, however, that the Union Steamship Company would not desire to inflict any hardship, and that as a matter of fact a largei number of stewardesses are employed on board their steamers than on those of any other company. Instructions have been given to the officers of the Labour Bureau that when visiting localities in which co-operative workmen are employed they are to visit the works and keep in touch with the men, and if there happen to be any grievances to report them to the officer in charge or to the Minister in charge of the particular work, and also to the Minister of Labour.

During last month 1746 labourers wore employed on co-operative works under the Survey Departments : 596 of them being employed in the Wellington district. There were also 105 artisans, and 639 labourers employed in various parts of the Colony under tho Public Works Department, and three artisans and 23 labourers on the State Farm at Levin, making a grand total of 2576 persons.

The Journal of the Department of Labour for January has just been issued from tho press. The official labour report for the cit}' of Wellington ia as follows : —Building trades —Still busy, though several tradesmen idle. Engineering trade —Very dull. Boot trade — Dull. Clothing trade—Very slack. Retail trades —Very fair business doing. Unskilled labour —Although a largo number of men have found employment in the country, there are still a number in the town idle. There is a much better prospect of work in tho country at present, while harvesting, grass-seeding and other works are going on. Thirty-four men were sent away during December to Government and private work. The usual weekly mooting of the Trades Council was held last week, the president (Mr H. C Jones) in the chair. A telegram was received from the Postmaster-General stating tha 4 o:i 'r'-- return to Wellington •■'•■■ • mtation from the Council in reference to the Postal and Telegraph Cash Purchase Association. The president and s :cr.'!.:.ty were deputed to interview Mr Jack (candidate for election to the Harbour Board) in order to ascertain hi,-; views as to what is a fair tender. &c. With regard to the question of city baths it was decided, '"That as Te Aro already possessesa bath, the Ci'y Council be urged to accent tho Premier's offer of a site

for a bath at Thomdon, and that the work of erecting the bath be proceeded with at once, a letter to this effect to be sent to the City Council." It. was als<> resolve-'!, '" That for the information of this Council the deputation wait on Mr Jack. a»:d ascertain his views a--, to the advisabieness of constructing docks, and as to tho assistance the Harbour Board want from the Government."

An ordinary meeting of the Wellington Branch of the New Zealand Workers' Union was held at; the forward Movement Hall last week, Mr J. Johnson (vice-president) in the chair. Mr K. Pattou gwo an interesting address on " Tho Government and Private Kmploye '■'-,'' 'n which lie impressed on the members the importance of their body as a

political fighting union. Mr Bakes spoke on the subject of I'higlish Trade Unionism and the eight hour system, in which lie contended that the now union is in will raise tho standard of men as well as wages. Mr A. K. Hindmarsh also gave an address on competition in labour, and contended that matters might be far better than at present. Mr Obergaud the chairman spoke on the subject of trade unionism, the latter saying he was a union man of 20 years' standing, and MrsE. A. Evans gave an address on the benefits of unionism, domestic servants, and the eight hours system. Songs were sung by Messrs E. A. Evans, Griffiths, J. Johnson, W. Jones (secretary) and Goodall, Mrs E. A. Evans presiding at the piano, and Mr W. Jones also contributed a pianoforte solo. A suggestion was made by Mr Evans that a series of weekly meetings of a social nature should bo hold in connection with tho League, and it is probable that this idea will be carried out in due course.

The statement that men are to be taken off the co-operative works was considered at last week's. meeting of tho Wellington branch of the New Zealand Workers' Union. The Onion expressed the opinion that there is at present a large quantity of surplus labour which could be utilised by private employers.

and they resolved to deputationise the Premier on the subject. London, January 20.

Large numbers of foreign workmen are being engaged to fill the places of the men on strike at Belfast and on the Clyde. London, January 23. The Belfast strikers have accepted the tel'nis of the employers;