INDUSTRIAL MATTERS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7077, 15 March 1910, Page 7

INDUSTRIAL MATTERS

EIGHT HOUES' ACT CONDITIONS .RESENTED BY ENGLISH MINERS. NOTICES OP A STRIKE. By Telegraph—press Association—Copyright LONDON, March 13. The employees of sixteen Northumberland collieries have tendered notices that they intend to strike against the working conditions under the Eight Hours Act. The Durham miners' delegates have decided to seek alterations in the eight hours agreement instead of its abolition. CONFERENCE REFUSED. (Received March 14, 9.35 p.m.) LONDON, March 14. Tho Northumberland Miners' Association has asked the owners to receive a deputation and to consider the eight hours agreement. The owners declined to accede to the request, but stated their willingness to discuss any other question. SHORTER WEEK DECLINED. LONDON, March U. Tho North-west Engineering Employers' Association has rejected a request preferred by engineers employed in the Clyde workshops and yards for a 53-hour week, similar to that in force in' the works on the North-east Coast of England. IN AMEEICA COAL-WORKERS DEMAND INCREASED WAGES. NEW YORK, March 13. Mr Lewis, president of the United iMino Workers of North America, threatens to call a« strike affecting the hard and soft coal industries unless an increase in wages is granted. This is interpreted to mean that it is desired to expedite the present negotiations with- regard to the wages scale of the bituminous coal-workers in Indiana, Ohio, and West Virginia. The giving of mutual -concessions by owners and men averted a strike on the Baltimore-Ohio railroad. CONTROL OF PROMOTIONS. (Received March 14, 10 p.m.) LONDON, March 14. Router's agent at Chicago states that 30,000 firemen employed on fortynine western railroads have demanded that they- be allowed .; control in tho matter of promotions as a prerequisite to arbitration concerning wages.

MICTION.AT NEWCASTLE WHAT THE STRIKE COST IN WAGES ATCD TRADE. SIDNEY, March 14. The borehole . miners are fractious, and will not return to work to-day. They complain that the management, contrary to an undertaking given to Mr Charlton, the miners' representative on the Wages-Board, is endeavouring to make alterations in the working conditions. A million pounds in the shape of wages was lost by the men during the Newcastle strike. ' ■ The Victorian Government trade, which practically represents 300,000 tons yearly, has been lost through the opening of the Powlett river (Victoria) mine, the trade with the Philippines has received a set-baok, and the coal industry in general will take some time to recover, HTTOHES ARE NOT SERIOUS. (Received March 14, 11.15 p.m.) SYDNEY, March 14. Work was resumed in the Newcastle mines this morning. Hitches occurred at some collieries over the working conditions. In one or two cases the matters in dispute were adjusted, and work will be commenced to-morrow. There appears to be nothing in the troubles to prevent a general resumption within the next day or two.