THE LABOUR BILLS, &c.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 8862, 21 July 1890, Page 2

THE LABOUR BILLS, &c.

Me Millar (secretary of the Maritime Council) and Mr Lomaa (president of the Amalgamated Miners' and Labourers' Association) waited upon the Premier and Minister for Public Works yesterday and discussed the labour difficulty in connection with the Cape Foulwind quarries. The Premier promised to give bis answer next week. The deputation also asked that he would hasten the progress of the several labour bills now before Parliament. The Premier undertook to do so, nnd anticipates no difficulty iD getting the measures passed so long as members of the House were sincere in their professions of regard for the welfare of the working classes. The negotiations between tho Co-operative 'Bus Company and Dr Grace for the purchase of the trams have fallen through, (Pee United Fekss Association.) Auckland, July 18. A deputation from tho Knights of Labour waited on the directors of the Kauri Timber Company re the grievances of their employes— viz , iHifenint hours of work in different localities, the truck system, and charging oommissiou on the men's cheques for \r.<ges, and other matters. Tho directors expressed great surprise that such grievances existed, mid promised searching investigation and amplu redress if they were found to be true. 11l the meantime tney nuthori ed tho deputation to wire to all the company's timber stations lhat the men wire absolutely free to purchase stores wherever they pleased. A union of mill hands and bushmen was formed to-nigh\ when 110 were enrolled. Mr Pinkerton, of Dunedin, urged them to affiliate with the Maritime Council, which intended raising a defenco fund of £10,000. A publio meeting has been convened by the mayor at the request of the Knights of Labour. At a meeting of the Trades and Labour Council a letter was read from the Maritime Council in reply to one sent from the Auckland Trades Council. Mr M'llar, secretary of the Maritime CouDcil, stated ha had formed"the council, as the various trades of New Zealand hsd not given their support to the Seamen's Union in fighting with tho Northern Steamship Comcany. The struggle cost the Seamen's Union £14,000, and all the assistance tht-y got from the trades in the colony was £SO. To ensure better assistanca for one another they had formed a combination now so good that they had the power to enforcu thi-ir demands owing to their authority over Bhips at sea. Wellington, July 18. The Trades and Labour Cuuncil have cppointed a deputation to wait on .the Maritime Council with the view of bringing about a federation of labour throughout the colony. A deputation will also wait on the Government to urga that Demonstration Day (October 28) be proclaimed a general holiday. A libel action arising out of the late Petone Woollen dispute was heard to-day. D. M'Keuzie, secretary of the outside union, charged G. A. Bailey, shoemaker, Petoue, with exhibiting in his shop window a document reflecting ou plaintiff. Accused was comm tted for trip.). Tho ex-npcrativp.s of the Petone Woollen Mill have written to the Trades and Labour Council demanding further strike pay, and threatening, in default of compliance, the institution of legal proceedings. Chbistchubch, July 18. Trouble is anticipated between the Trades

and Labour Council and tho Christchnrch Gas Company. The latter, in rearranging tho staff, discharged. all the lamplighters (10) and reengaged six, taking new men in placa_ of tho others. The four not engaged aro prominent in the Amalgamated Labour Union, and think they have been got rid of on that account. The) secretary to the company says the company have merely re-engaged the most suitable men, aud tbat he knows nothing abont the question of union or non-union men.

A meeting of tho committee of the local branch of tho Railway Servants' Union was held on Friday evening, when it was resolved to hold a special committee meeting on Thursday evening nexiyat which a deputation from each branch of the service will be present, to draw up a scale of wages to forward to the executive at Christchnrcb. After dealing with various other matters,'the meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the president, Mr G. T. NewtoD.