TRADES AND LABOUR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12036, 7 May 1901, Page 5

TRADES AND LABOUR.

THE THREATENED STRIKE. Press Associalion-By Tekgraph—Copyright. , LONDON, May 5. (Received May 6, at 9.15 a.m.) The miners in some of the British counties strongly oppose the strike in protest against the intended coal tax. THK BUiLDING TRADE. (Pur Ukited Pbess Association , .) WELLINGTON, May 6. The conference- between the building trades' labourers and employers settled all but two of the points at issue before the Conciliation Board-namely, extra halfhour at ordinary time after 5 p.m. (union agrees to one or two men working on the job before 8 a.m.), and ihe rate nf pay. The union agreed at the conference to reduce the demand as to wages to Is ljd per hour, but the employers will not go further than Is Id. .These points both parties have left to the board.

THE ARBITRATION COURT.

CHRISTCHURCH, May 6.

Legal argument was heard before Mr Justice Cooper in the Arbitration Court this morning concerning the jurisdiction of the court over hairdressers' assistants. Decision was reserved. The taking of evidence in the ironmoulders' dispute was concluded at the Arbitration Court to-day. Mr Beaven (of Andrews and Beaven, agricultural implement makers) stated that if the local price of casting was. raised on account of the iigher wages of the men be would either Jiave to cease making certain implements or import. He said his business was suffering greatly by American importations, be baving been compelled to stop manufacturing one line, as the imported article was cheaper. This dispute will bo closed in the morning, 'ihe butchers' dispute will be called next.

BOOKBINDERS' DISPUTE.

WELLINGTON, May 6. The hearing of the bookbinders' dispute commences before the Conciliation Board to-day. The claim is for 44 hours a weekend £3 3s wages.