TRADES AND LABOUR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10621, 17 March 1896, Page 4

TRADES AND LABOUR.

Press Association—By Tolegraph-Copyrieht. Sydnev., March 16. There is little likelihood of the masters agreeing to the increase in hawing rates demanded by the Newcastle miners, Thres shillings and sixpence would mean an increase in the selling rate o£ Is 6d pa ton. There seems every probability that a two-thirds majority in favour of a strike will be obtained. BHSBA.NE, March 16. Mr Glftssey, leader of the Labour party, denies that there is any friction between : biraself and the party.

THE UNEMPLOYED. (Fhom Oub Own Coebespondent.)

Wellington, March 16. The meeting of unemployed here this morning was attended by some 60 odd persons, and already 120 persons have signed the list being prepared of the unemployed of this city. Very strong dissatisfaction was expresied by several of the speakers at the attitude of the Government on the unemployed question, aud one speaker (a Mr Simms, a recent arrival from Christchureh) stated that he was authorised to fay that if something was not dooe for the mja out of work there would " perhaps be an event take place that would ba historical iu the colony's history." It was decided to approach the Government with the object of gettio» assistance iu the way of work. The chairman of the meeting stated that the leaders of tb.9 movement were in commuuication with tho Chrratcuurch and Dnnedin unemployed with the object of organised action being taken. BOARDS OF CONCILIATION. Official intimation his been received by Mr King, the clerk of awards for tha Ofcago and Southland Industrial district, that Messrs Grant P. Farquhar and George L. Sine have been appointed members of the Conciliation Board for the district, and tho first meeting of. the board ia to be held on Friday next. The first business of the board will be the election of a chairman,

A Wellington telegram states that, after Further consideration, the Govenmenfc have decided to appoint Mr Frcstick and Mr Gapea (ex-Mayor of Chrisfcehnreh) as employers' representatives on the Canterbury Conciliatioa Board.

At the usual fortnightly meeting of the Dunedin branch of the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Buildera, a letter wai received from the Kegi-trar of Friendly Societies, containing certificate of registration undsr " The Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act 189*." At the Oxford Magistrate's Court on Thursday, before Mr R. W. Bishop, the WaimaUa-riri-Ashley Water Supply Board was sued by James Taylor for the recovery of £13 10a wages. The plaintiff wao employed by Mr Craighead, contractor on the board's works, who had thrown up his contracts, and he now sought, to recover from the board under the Workmeu's Wages Act. After hearing evidence and argument by Mr Fisher, counsel for defendant, Mr Bishop reserved judgment. The caoe wag a test one, and should it go against the board it is understood that claims amounting to over £300 will be made upon it by workmen left unpaid by the contractor. The main contention of the board in disputing the claims ii that every reasonable means were taken to ascertain whether the contractor was psyiiig the msu regularly; and that, as far as could be ascasrtaiued, tha rei»tion3 between the employees and contractor were satisfactory.—Lyttelton Times.