THE LABOUR WORLD.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1267, 11 June 1896, Page 38

THE LABOUR WORLD.

A meeting of the Carriers’ Union was hold last week, Mr A. Orr (president) in the chair. The meeting passed a resolution approving of the Seddon Birthday Testimonial proposal, and the president and Messrs Standen and Brown were appointed delegates to the committee. A committee, consisting of the president and Messrs Standen and \Y. Tobin (secretary) was set up to take legal proceedings against the tramway proprietor in the event of any breaches of the by-laws relating to the carriage of merchandise on tramcars. Air Flanagan (secretary of the Cab Proprietors’ Union) made several valuable suggestions with regard to the improvement of traffic to tho advantage of can iers and the general public. It was decided that at present no action bo taken with regard to affiliation with tho Trades Council or tho uufoderated unions. The usual weekly mooting of the Trades Council was held last week. A letter was received from the Wellington Eight Hours Federated Union requesting the Council to communicate with tho Trades Councils throughout tho Colony, asking them to demand a promise from all candidates at the forthcoming general election to support an Eight Hours Bill in tho first session of the now Parliament. It was decided to aeeodo to the request. Tho president (Air H. C. Jones) handed in his resignation owing to pressure of other business, which was accepted with regret, he consenting to hold office until the appointment ol his successor. The Council resolved to give its patronago and support to a benefit to bo organised by the Bootmakers’ Union on behalf of two ol' its members. It was decided that Alessrs il. C. Jones, D. P. Fisher and tho secretary draft a letter to tho unalliliated unions asking them to attend a meeting on the 17th inst. to discuss the question of tho federation of the unions of Wellington, At the New Zealand Workers’ Union meeting last week, loiters were read from the Wainiato branch in reference to organising shearing gangs next season, and also from Mr E. Aloore, Ngahauranga, referring to an offer of land for a vegetable garden to bo worked by the unemployed, notifying that ho would attend the Union in the event of tho AntiChinese League not taking the offer. Tho matter of affiliation with either the Trades Council or the unalliliated unions was left over until next mod ing. Air Allan Orr was appointed to represent the Union on the Eight Hours Committee, vice Air ATcEadden resigned. Arrangements were made for a “ social” and dance in aid of tho widow of the late Air Hooke who was drowned off the Ellen Ballanou. Ten new members wore elected. The Wallscml and Borehole miners, Newcastle, have carried a resolution in favour of accepting the owners’ conference proposals. Tho men rejected an amendment asking for an increased price and hewing rate, as it was considered there was no chance of the owners conceding *he lat ter in the present state of trade. The delegate board at Newcastle has decided to recommend the acceptance of the proposals of the recent conference, also to ask for a conference with the owners on the basis of a selling rate of 8s (Id and a hewing rate of 3s Id. At the Auckland Police Court a number of charges werebroughbagainst Walter Henry Massy, manager fur liyeroft and Company's mill, in connection with the Factory Act. 'The charges wore of employing lads under 1G without having previously obtained certificates in the form prescribed by tho Act. The lines and costs amounted to about =£lo. 'The Reefton quartz minors struck on Saturday, owing to the reduction of wages by tho Consolidated Goldfields Company. At a meeting held tho same night, a resolution was passed that all tho trades unions and labour organisations throughout tl e colonies be asked for their sympathy and influence to maintain the current rate of wages, and that all minors elsewhere should respond, and if overtures bo made to them calculated to thwart the present movement, they firmly reject such. A branch of the Miners’ Union lias been formed, and is to be registered immediately. Tho Company reduced the rate of pay in tho Reefton mines from =£3 to =£2 10s per week, acting, it is said, under instructions from the London board. The Inangahua Herald has stated that tho earnings of individual miners will, under tho now reijirnc, bo greater than under the old, when they had to put up with so much, broken time,