THE LABOUR WORLD.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1263, 14 May 1896, Page 34

THE LABOUR WORLD.

THE GOAL DIFFICULTY. If anything, the colliery strike is extending in New South Wales. Tho minors have induced the men in several pits where tho ISBS agreement is not being carried out to join in a movement for tho reinstatement ot thoso terms. The masters strongly oppose it, because the selling prico of coal has fallen so much below the I.ls per ton at which it stood in 1888. Thirty miners of tho Gartleo Colliery have resumed work, on terms equivalent to 3s Gd per ton. There is a feeling growing that tho strikers will shortly resume work, despite tho Association. A number of masters refuso to pay back pay, on the ground that the men left in a body, and did not give individual notice. Steps will probably be taken to teat the legality of this step.

At a meeting of tho Trades Council last week it was stated that tho Council had received an invitation to bo represented on the platform at the inaugural meeting of tho New Zealand Natives'Association, but as the Council meets on that, night they would ho unablo to bo represented. A very enjoyable social evening was held by the New Zealand Workers' Union last week. Selections were given by Forrest's String Band, and songs by Miss Ellison, Mrs Burgess, Miss Lee ; pianoforte selection by Miss Dobio ; songs by Messrs W. Jones. J. Johnson, Ellicon and Darke, and recitations by Messrs McLaren aud Moller. Tho Hen W. Hall - Jones delivered an address, and enumerated tho benefits conferred by the different labour laws, and said ho believed the unemployed difficulty could bo settled in a practical way. If they wanted to make Now Zealand what it ought to bo they should make somo provision for keeping out undesirables. Amongst tho visitors woro the Hon Mrs Seddon and tho Mioses Seddon, and several members of the Women's Democratic Union. Votes of thanks were given to tho lion W. Hall-Jones and Forrest's Band.

The Arbitration and Conciliation Board for the district of Westland—Messrs J. A. Millar, M.H.R., Tresunan, Bailio and Kettle —have been sitting at Wcstport endeavouring to select a chairman, but havo failed to do so. A dozen names of local men havo been suggested, but objected to by one side or the other, and several gentlemen to whom tho Board would agree declined to act, while the Justice Department objected to the Stipendiary Magistrate taking tho position. Tho Government have appointed Mr Macfarlane.

The business to bo brought before the Board will comprise tho disputes regarding the hewing rates at tho Cardiff and Westport Coal Companies' collieries.