AMALGAMATED SOCIETY OF RAILWAY SERVANTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14580, 20 July 1909, Page 4

AMALGAMATED SOCIETY OF RAILWAY SERVANTS.

all lil kill' TITB Sl'LlT IN THE RAXKS. ", cl of MEETING OF HOTII TARTIM. lho 1 scp; Though (he members of the Amal- j v '" l gawa'.«(l Society of Jlailway Servants faik-J J " 10 to draw those comiecietl with the Drivers' j anil Fii.-uiciu; Society into n discission on llM ;' I i-Jj-j bearing and reljtion of tli;» new Imdy n , n; j lo Ii 10 A.S.it.S.. a large amount of solid j ai-yiuntiit was put forunrtl by a few nvem- Mie of tiio A.S.R.S. at the nireiing held her in the l'.aiiv.ay Club Rooms oil Smithy t ' l " afternoon. Tho locomotive men hail been wei npocially inviktl io be present, anil liicy formed a very big proportion o| (he 100 wo tiv so railway men present, Mr I'. K. me Nolan (pnsufent 0 f the Otsgo Bram-'n ot o?t ti:e A.Ii.U.S.) presided. Ho read an ;, :g apology from Mr Milroy, chairman cf tlio - local branch of the new eocicly, who va- <loi gretlcd liii inability to attend. frc Tiio Chairman. in cxplaitiing' the object tin . of the meeting, asked i-'iat in the di-ciis,- the sion tliat- was to lake place memlx-is would mi not allow any fee-ling of Imtc-rncs.; io creep dri in, but would conduct it villi propriety tit 1 and without ;.'iving any oil'ence. lie would to ! be pleased it the locomotive men present would b-.::hi the diseus-sljn by .stating the nu gi'Oiliitlii on which they com-i'leivd ibem- iin solves justified in'-,'firming this new society, ht; and ii' anyone having views on the uuestiou ultl give exprcsscm to them. gr Ir i-'. Murphy (vice-president of tl'.e as Iters' and .1-:"011n-:: 1 s. Society), speaking behalf of sceiety, -aid t'icy h»<l no to vet- to discufi the matier, nor did they \vt iro to do ;o. There had already been Tl i«l a challenge by tho president of t'f.o c'ii xR.S. to their president, inviting liiin to \vi wic tli« whole position. They wore ae- , lc •dingly awaiting development's in that fit tu-eciioii, and would not discuss tho f a tier now, oa Ir iiry.lono nskod if there wits an-- like- c 0 CK)d of ihe challenge being accepted. as [he Chairman eaiil personally lie had no tt , :a at all. A branc 1 -. of the new rocicty d been formed in Oitiiedin, ami those s? o were associated with its luanagoment., tli d who favoured it, must surely have Hinds to g.i upon to justify thi-iir action, „• .1 ho would be ple.tsed i[ -those grounds j/ iro stated by any of the members who [u re present. It was onlv by cal.My and 5C discussing the question from j t til sides that they could arrive at anyinj like the true position. 1-Ie would. chairman, liko to liavo t.ho society's jj asons for seceding stated. Surely there |( s ho reason why those reasons (ilioultl be thheld. it. was not. necessary, in his , • pinion, lo withhold these grounds until e tmlltingo referred to was accepted or " elinc.d. If given, it would enable litem , judge of the motives that li:wf actuated e nnneiiieui, ami of t he movem-n't itself, | iuu I'he standpoint of the whole of the it way itie-t of the second division in the ' c , ; ago district, end, for that matter, outside V e I Mayo district. j The question w,-s asked by a member of e Ki;giiie-drivci:>' Society tiliy this discusill was not calied for 12 niont'as ago, |pi:ii the ,-oeiety first started. j Tiio Chairman saiil that would probably uiio oat ill any dßciuiion that would p'.io'V. Ths jiresent Hireling liatl been ' livrl f.t tho instigation of a meeting of j a Ouigo I3utncii_ of the A.S.U.S., held on , pi previous HtuKi;py. j ;llr U. Wilson (locon:olive c'epartnient) j askoid wliat. was the position in rcgar'l , tb<* challenge to debate between the two j 'csidonts. I 111- iYUirpiiy said he could a;ivc no in'l'ii.at.iun at prose.nt ill regard to the clial- j nge. They wire no!, in a position to dis- . i=s tiiie i]uestion, nov were they dc-;iroiis j E doing so at- the present moment.— ] •ik-ar, hear' 1 anil upphtiL-;-,) ] Mr Mrydoiic-. Vic are to take it for ranted that the challenge is to be accepted, ( r else thai: the new society is going lo , .'iiiiiin a, sccret one as iar a.-, oilier raihv.iv ten are concerned. Ua tpoke as one who >nsiderc(| that tho sceiety was inimical to ic interests oi~ihc locoiiiotivo men and tile generally. ilr Wilson said he was sorry that memeis of t'he new soeicly did not .We their 'tiy clear to rake up i.;:'., di-.eussion, espeeilly as it affected si-cli a largo b;xly ot u-n. It" the leceniotive men could prove to t-lier mcnibers (hat they had not received ;tir play then he would stiy that they were estlliei! ii-. fontving tlxif society. It wcu'd e of advantage to ail if they would do so. Je was a iocoinotivo man, but was not a lembet' of the new soeiely. lie had been nfnrinsd by the sserotary that they had no ilea of leaving tl-.o parent body, and that lu:v were going to work in conjunction ricli it. Ht had replied that it was iiuiovdble to work in i-hat way. He would ike io know if, when those men started to p'jrm tilt- sceiety, it was tlioir intention (hen o re.main in the A.S.H.S. and work ill onjimotiou or leave it. Now they had loldly slo-.xl out and slated that they were 'oieg to leave it and get recognition fropii he iMinistei'. They had held out to them Tie promise, that if they obtained a niwnicrsbip of 1000 the .Minister was prepared 0 recognise them. S.oir.e meiultevs of th''k\v society lwd informed him that they lad joined on the understanding that the lociety was not going to break away from lie A.S.R.S. The question then was—Wc-.'o hose members obtained on that tint'erfl.tud--11"? Could tlloy leli him whether the iiiembers they had obia-ined had joined on the distinct understanding that, they were oaving the A.S.Jt.S.? While not belonging io the new sot-ietx, lie lutd great sympathy ,vith these who bail formed it, for the treatment they had received. Mr Murphy suitl Mi' Wilson had a«.kcd a ipiestion wliicli non-members were not permitted io know. He therefore eould not answer it. Mr Fox said tho bonds of friendship and fellow-feeling had existed amongst them all for many years, and he failed to sec why tho locomotive members should not give them somo reasons why tliev luid formed thm society of their own. lie had never known of a single case where a complaint, or grievance from a locomotive man placed before the A.S K..S. had been ignored, or liad not received the sympathy of (ho branch. Mr D. Marks asked the speaker if the locomotive men liad ever said that their grievances had been ignored by the Olago liraneh when brought beiorc. it. Mr Fox: To my knowledge none have complained to me. Mr Gilchrist eaid there must be something in wl-.at Mr Fox had stated. He personally did not know what reason there was for leaving the A.S.It.S. Mr Wilson said he was sorely disappointed ill Iho locomotive men. Ife had expected that tliev would have given some reasons for their action, and at. tho same time given the other side an opportunity of saying what the remedy should bo. Illconsidered the remedy was a. matter fur (linn to liml out. Some members wanted to know why the drivers and firemen hart been rtissaiislied with the A.S.R.S. It was a. most remarkable thing that they would not give a single reason. It hud, however, coins to his hearing that one reason was that when the last increase of pay was granted to railway men drivers and tiremeJi considered that they did not get fair treatment. He agreed with that. They did not get fair treatment. The custom with tlw exwutivo ol the society was to meetand discuss the "rievanees or complaints from each department of the sncoiid division. Deputations were then formed, and the questions were taken before the llouso. They would 1 remember that be had advocated that the low-paid men should receive consideration, and the time came along wlioti they were to get something. A deputation placcd the matter before members on several occasions, but when the discussion came licforo the House, lerlein persons wont outside the society ami pulled the wires to the advaulage of the members in their own department. Mr Murphy: Mr Wilson, as a non-mom-bor, is not speaking on our behalf. Mv Wilson: 1 nm speaking oil our own behalf. These members pulled the wires on their own behalf. That should have been done through tlio society, lie did not think what bad been done was the way to rectify a grievance. They should prevent Ibis being dono in tho future. If they stuck together they had a right to demand that every other member of the service should assist in getting justice for tho firemen and drivers. Another very tuifcir tiling was that a deputation from the workshops wanted to wait ou members of Parliament, anil place their grievances before litem. It was not right for any particular department lo single out members ami sa place their case before them. He bad been asked to act on that deputation, but properly declined. One man who went with that deputation was not even a member of the A.S.)!.:>. Those sort of things were wiMiig, and were bringing about friction in the society. They should slick !■> get her, and form rules and regulations to prevent any such methods in future. 1/e would suggest that they form a commitire from the present meeting which could deal with any members or body of members lrom any departuien! who were guilty oi these actions, lie did not agree with the move-'-ent made by the encine-clriverp: end firo'ii'-n. They could do a "'out il.-d Mi,> r j bv remaining with the parent body, piiul by 1 one united effort being put forth. Sec-

ulism sewed to weaken the position oE and way servants generally. There was the net lihood that, one section would he played .in against another. Jf any of those present Soe o acquainted with the bad conditions sail work and luw pay that prevailed when giv engine-drivers and liremeu had a in urate society alxiur 25 years ago they '[ ikl think very seriously before leaving ; Mr A.15.K.5.. The A.S.I!.S. had brought I Sle ml a vast, improvement in the service, | ji,_. ( could do more, and it was a great j bei' ititke for auyono to leave it. now. a j !( gincmen must get what tltey sought if y !iad the- support of every other inent- it. of the A.S.H.S. If labour was split [ ro y could not expect, to win. Etigiuemen re not distinct from the other dc-part-iits of the service. They were all rkers, and they must go to the Govern- |. t| nt of the day as a compact body and uf ; not concessions, but what were their Ills. _ p|' Jr Moloney said the engiuomen lmd not , R | tie tlio right thing in breaking away mi the A.S.H.S. and forming- a union of sir own. There was oven the chance of a!] ;ir union taing split. The cleaners ] ol gat want, a separate union, and then the ivcrs likewise. If tho drivers got into er itthle of any kind, who were they going p appeal to for funds? t ], \ Member: You had better close the j., •eting. It is no good wasting any more MP. " Tilt! drivers and firemen have no dement to make. _ ,\ Mr Brydone maintained that there was | 0 eat. danger lurking in sectionalism sucn 'j. had now sprung up. w Mr il. \V. Mead said he was very sorry (1] see that tiie members of tho now society , u ;re not prepared to make any statement, 'j; ie Otago iiranch of the A.S.H.S. had j |; lied the meeting not out of any fear, nor sl . th any desire to be a hindrance the j.- :«• body, hut to quietly discuss tho siiua- t , in. Everyone must be aware that it was M tal to unionism to have a split in the I nip. Mr Wilson had pointed out the s j ivy experiences of enginemen when their o; so'ciation was in existence some years ;o. He had pointed that out for the 0 . snelit of the young members now in the j' ; rvice. The question had been asked why jj ie A.S.U.S. had nc.t moved in the matter a ! months ago. Well, it might have been a iven to understand that tho Drivers and j iremen's Society would never come to fi| lything. Ona of the men now in tho v iciety had told him some time back that would never be recognised. The Mints- j ( ■I- had given them some encouragement, ut he was only going to consider the (pies- p on of recognition when they had 1000 ( icnibers. lie had not said ho would j. ?cogniso theni.—(A Voice: "Ques- g on."). It might be questioned. Members, c iot'o particularly tho younger ones, should j ottsidor the matter very seriously before j ireaking .v.vav from tin old l;cdv. , Mr T. M'fagg read an extract from vnc tailway Keview which went to show that ■ ho Minister had only promised' lo con- j ider the question of recognising tile now wdy when it had a tiK!ml.ershi.p of 1003. j le'htd not said Ire would recognise them ( .hen they reached that, stage. , Mr Wilson urd ho kr.eiv of one district liih 50 enginemen who preferred to stieic 1 0 the old society. \ The Chairman said the trend o! thotignt < moi'.g the labour leaders of to-day all the j vorld over was in tho direction of gather- | tiS up tlio unit sociotios and combining ! hom into one solid compact whole. Sec- ! .ionalifiin had lmd its day, and those wno lad been its staunchest awl most ardent ulvoeates in tile past now admitted that it 1 oil short of its purpose. Organised labour, hose men told thani, meet, if it wouki ichievo w'liat it had in view, federate and ally tound one common flag. It must have sonic aim and object in view, and 1 this it ' inu.st endeavour to carry into execution, holding implicity 'and obediently to its leaders, and rendering all the assistance in its power, individually and collcetively. Seeing the great change that had come over iiH'K' wiio had favoured sectionalism in tho past, was it not pas-ins strange thaU they in the railway service of _ New Zealand should bo ixillcd upon to witness the sctcssioa of portion of the locomotive, ni.in from tlio par-cut society and forming a Ixidy of their own. It was charitable [or them to supposo that the leaders of this very regrettable movement hud not given it the consideration it deserved, otherwise lie w«s sure they would have teen the folly of their move and desisted. Even now if they would givo tho matter the smallest consideration,, and if they_ had a particle of true unionism in tlwir compositions, they would admit flmt they had acted in error, and abandon tho movement. When this society was being formed in Dtmedin, and tho Otago branch of tlisi A.S.R.S. took no active step in the matter, it was given to understand that tin sole purpose wa3 to enable tlio locomotive men to discuss their own business and manage their own aiiairs, and that it would simply be a channel through which they would be able lo communicate with other centres in regard to their own business. The promoters gave t-lK.ni to understand that they would still remain -loyal to the A.5.11.5., and con- | tinuo an integral pavt of it, and <Io all they possibly could, as in previous years, to advance its interests. Had that been tho ease? Mo, ho said. When the new body was being formed no .mention was 'made of its being a separate society, with a separate head and separate official reeognition. That was kept hack until new members joined it, and t.hoy _ had therefore joined it on what was a misrepresentation. —(A Voic.:': "Question.") That was absolutely true,, and lie could prove it up to the hilt, if nec-wavy, and in the same connection could mention tho names of tlio active manbors.—(Sir Murphy: "Sot in llnwdin.") Mr Nolan said he was speaking of D'uncdin. When they made this move it simply meant that they .had no confidence in tho present executive! of the A.S.Ii.S., notwithstanding that out of a total of nino members on the council five of them were locomotive men, and enginemen to boot. Some had gone further and said tlio A.S.R.S. 'had fallen from its standaid of previous years, that it was no goal to thorn, and that it was not worth being supported. That- was the attitude ialeen up by those who, in the first inetame, gave them lo understand that tltey would ba loyal and active members of tho j A.S.H.S. Notv, if the locomotive men had no contidencs in the present ev-:cutivc council, and if they considered that it had degenerated, was if not their bounderi duly to itave hastened to its aid and to huva agisted the society in carrying out the reforms which they considered necessary? Was it not their place to do this if they were unionisls, instead of turning their back upon it, and not only that, but to traduce and slander it. 110 was certain their was not a man in tbe rcfltn who did not agree with the statement that unity was strongth. Internal vigilance was the pride of freedom, and to hold together it was necessary that they should slant! shoulder to shoulder, a.nd act as one man. If t.hey realised tlvcir duty, they would make themselves prepared for every contingency that might arise. He him,self had been an honest worker for the A.S.It.S. for many years, and had never been guilty of any crooked or anti-union methods in Iv.s life, lie therefore appealed to them, and particularly to the younger members of tile locomotive department, to pause and consider how far this new society would all'cct them in tin future, lie appealed to the young men not to heed tho voice of the eh.inuev, tho plausible promises of those men who, he said, did not. appear to ba qi.ulitkd to leact them wisely.-—(V'oices; "Question! One-sided.") Mr M. Scott .said lie took exception to the remark made bv the chairman that tin Drivers and Firemen's Society had flandC'i-ed the A.S.Ii.S. Tiie Cha.inmau said lie referred lo I he r-'.solulians jtassed by tho new society. 'Hie A.S.U.S. had been vilified, lie repudiated the statements that bad been made. , Mv lio* moved—"That (his meeting lias every confidence in the Amalgamated Bcci.>ty of Railway Servants." Mr llyun seconded the motion. A member prc-sent raised the point that sucli a. resolution wp* not in accord wil.ti the spirit of the meeting. 1 Tne Chairman slid he was of the same I opinion, and tho motion was withdrawn. I Mr Wilson raid that he also had come j or.'p'.u'e'.t to move a motion. It was as 1 fallows:-- I 'That this general meeting of | I lie Otago branch, having a membership of over 10C0 persons, considers the forma- ; '.ion of the Driver:;' and Firemen's Society j as unnecessary, as it is not required, and j I'.v.'M eventually prove inimical not only j to I lie other MMtbors of the service, but j lo loeomotve men as well: that sectionalism ! in any form is to l:o (alcon as bein.g opI nosed to tho true wellbein-g of organised I'.hour. and that the AnvaVamaied Sccic-ty is ample to rc-present b.i:4 ir.-tei all requiremsuts of ihe eceond division." Chairman said tint as the locomotive mvi had re.'nsed to disettss th.e po?ition he il'd not iJiinl; it would bsfittiivj to put that motion. But, as these men had refused lo take part in the discussion it would ! lve only consi-tent for them not lo take part j in the Yr.rin.-r on anv motion, j Mr Mu.uphv said i is ay were quite rive- ; i pirH to M in I lie r.wwior snn-pesled. Thev j neither wished to discuss the question not | Tho Ohr-man then fiomrd the following 1 j nu/'on'" That, r,eeir.tr that the locornotWc j " '; h-ive r.- f !;sed to d'scuss or vote on the :o:>. o: the formation of the Drivers'

Firemen's Socio!?, this meeting c:oce ' go further than cxprcea itself as having ' At fault io find with the Amalgamated! SU pj,| iety of Railway Servants." That, lie in? ] I. was a colourless motion, and could e olrenct* to 110 one. It did not dccido New favour of cither society. demo ho motion w.a.s accordingly moved by buve 11. W. Head, and seconded by Mr li. deavc phene, and, 011 put to the meet- land , v.a.-; caroisd tmaiimioiisly, t.ho So mem- ww « of the A.S.It.S. present, including price ; hrr-e locomm ive men, who a-re not Id p inkers of the now society, alt voting for 1 wAt Members of the new society refrained! j and 111 voting as agreed upon. The MKF.TJNG AT INVRRCARGILI,. New ■V sjioc-iat general meeting' of the South-' ing id Branch (.f the Amalgamated Socieiy winl Kittlway Servants was hold oil Saturday I'b; ernoon, when Mr i'. llutchins, the vice- t to eridonl of Iho soeioty, delivered an do I dress 011 the subject of " Why Locomo-. lljd e Men Should Not. Secede from the' to 1 ctety." There was an excellent attend- ( blac! ee of brandies oT the second division, j Is 3< -■omolive men predominating. j Mr Hutehins said many members of this nbryo society of locomotive men had I . tactically joined under the- impression 01 at they were going to work '"in con-■ f?, a j> r( notion wiib tho A.S.It.S." As a matter ' SI - fact, the new society was inimical to '"J}' 1 e very l>jst interests not only of tlio .S.lt.S.. but of unionism and the in- c -' u ~ re.ita of the railway men as a whole. Ie experience throughout the world ! fail herever sectionalism had been tried was at it tended to weak down unionism, ij.j id we had only to we this fact at work. ,' U! embryo society (drivers and firemen ''' j id made u complaint that they had inilficient representation either on the socutive Council or beforo the manage- c ' v cnt. This_ slatemeni was at least ilialetrically opposed to the actual facts. here had always been an excellent and t rung roprcsßiiraliun of locomotive men 1 t.ho Executive Council. This charge as also refuted by the facts that they had j, ained fo many concessions, among them c;l |j L'ing 40 hours'per week and 6d per diem icreaso of pay. The society had also got (j 0| Classification Act, an Appeal Board, and -jj m Superannuation Act. Many men, said j, 0[ If Hutehins, who had joined this new jciety had undoubtedly done so frotn a, •ant of knowledge of the A.S.It.S. affairs, ill idea prevailed amongst them that the j t ■ jcomotivc men 011 the Yiciorian railways j ad considerably gained by sectionalism, uch was contrary to fact. Nothing was uore sure than that if one particular iranch of the service formed a separate 1 ucieiy and received recognition, then 111:1 itber grades would follow suit, and the a nevitable result of "no interviews" would «« ollow. Thiii would of necessity place nembcrs at <1 disadvantage, .inasmuch as me nmll grievances which were readily ad- ml usled (w)iei'o reasonable), by the manage- tin lient at the present time would never an. ■each the head, but would probably bo da iloekcd in their, primary stages. Whilst Tli here was an organisation of 6000 men tin ■litre was some weight behind a request; nil )Ut. split that body into six sections of wo .003 each and the whoio became a negli- gu rible quantity. As to the financial po:-i- tin ,ion, tliev were, comparatively speaking, a, 01l •ieh body, and the 'funds were for the uc purpose of furthering the interests and j. w lefcnding the positions of the nicmhcis. \Vero sectionalism to prevail there would yw irobably be live or six useless poor socie- j 3 i-'S It was quite evident that selfishness t ] l( ivas rh'j foundation of this embryo society. For the past 20 years all grades of iho j n| ...vjvieo had backed up any reasonable re- c . of their fellow men; but now many m; A the Drivers' and Firemen's Association y were going to let the others do battle for m< themselves. \y ( It was then resolved— £e (1) " riiat this meeting of members of ot the A.S.R.S. views' with consternation a.wl w . rccret the action of a portion of the locomotive drivers, lirenicn, and cleaners in 1:11-dea-ouring to form a separate association, n as they are satisfied that such is unjust as [, regards the maiu body of railway workers, oi impolitic as regards union principles, and j, can eventually bring nothing but. disaster to railwa-vnion in ils train." f, (2) That this meeting of A.S.R.S. mem- „ b-1-s regrets that Mr Hutehins' challenge to 2 discuss the matter has , not been taken up |; bv any member of the Drivers'. Firemen s, s and Cleaners' Association, and in view of | „ such silence unanimously concludcs that, j, tile association is constructed 011 a totally unstable basis and one which must con- p frequently be inimical to the best interests u , of railway workers as a whole. (1: (3) That the A.S.R.S., having now been j, long recognised by the heads of the de- d pavtment with salisfaction to the State, the L . public, and the majority of railway q workers, this meeting deprceates any q chanL'e which would not. work with such p satisfaction and harmonious results as the f< present system and which 6eetional soci- a ties would undoubtedly bring about." J Other speakers included Mossi-s TJiomas, p Williams, Smith. Forrester, Uailr?, Webb, 1 Findlav. C'avanagh, and others.—South- q land Times. ■ . c N.Z, PK(JJ)UOE L\" LONDON ! 1 f (Fiiom. Oue Own Cop.resx'Okdent.) j 1 LONDON, Juno 11. J • WOOL. ( Since the close of tho laie wooi sales the ' cour.-:e of the market has been uneventful. ' The fact that Jiuiopoan cunsuniers are at 1 ihe uionieni.woil supplied with wool, coupled with the intervention of tlio Whitsuntide '■ j holidays, has for tlio fifim beiny caused | - some slackening in demand in the liianu- ' facturing cemres. At the same lime, how- ( ever, machinery continues to be well employed, and Messrs Charles JJalnie and Co. 1 remark that American purchasers are Still 1 operating' in those classes of wool which aw 1 suitable, their attention being largely directed at present toward tho Homo clip. of which they will apparently absorb a considerable proportion, in these circum- 1 stances the future of the market is generally regarded with cuulidunce and the expectation of a maintenance of present, values Messrs Gordon, Woodroll'e, and Co. think that the prospects for tho next few months should be good, as supplies cannot be anything but very moderate. The limit of 140,000 bujes of net fresh arrivals for the next series of sales is judged by many to bo rather more than will come to hand, but ] this remains to bo seen. Tho Americans 1 are, of course, carrying a big weight on 1 ' their shoulders, but reports thence are of a ■ satisfactory nature, ami there is uo evidence ; to lead one to anticipate a withdrawal of | ' their support. Tho market at Ilomo since , the sales, and with the Whitsun holidays, j has ouiocened down a little, which is indeed > not altogether surprising looking to the j almost continuous advance which has taken j place since March. Continued good prices i are looked for by the National Mortgage ! ami Agency Company, provided tho trade j does not slacken during the summer; the | future of coarse wools seems cheering. | j Writing of tho late serins of sales, this ! ; firm says it was about the direct opposite | of the corresponding series last year. Then [ prices of crossbreds were at a very low ! ebb, but now values ruled 35 to 40 per I 1 cent, higher. This great change has been ' | effocted in a very largo measuro by the 1 American buyers, who at each series this year have picked the eyes of the market, and thus forced Yorkshire operators to ■ take what they have left. Shippers to this market have been amply rewarded. Large lines of crossbred wools purchased at tho local fiohuiitl sales have been resold here, , and yici"od must handsome profits. DAIRY" PRODUCE. The Corinthic's New Zealand butter, just 011 the market, is bringing very good prices, | ami is within a few shillings of Danish. Comparing the imports of the month just ' ended with last year, Messrs Woddol say ; there is an increase of 6333ewt in colonial | butter, bm. a decrease of 36,862cwt in foreign butter. Colonial increases are:— New Zealand, 12,967cw1; Queensland, 4540ewt; Victoria, 26cwl; New South Wales shows a decrease of 11,310c-wt. ' Choicest Now Zealand butter is quoted at 102s (0 1 104s, and finest at 93s to 100s, against the 1 95s to _SBs and 02s to 94s for Australian of rf.ipsctive grades. For cheese the demand is quiet, and prices have remained unchanged. Messrs Wctldfll quote New Zealand cheese at 66s j to 68s for choicest, and 65s for finest. In Canada prices aro advancing. This is ro . [juried to be caused by short Tales of a large quantity of Juno make. PELTS. It is reported by tho National Mori cage and Agency Company that the marker for pells has been deeuledlly active during tho past month, tho larga arrivals which have como tenvard having fouml buyers at prices ful.y equal to those riding a month •tgo. .-heepskm tanners still complain that business is unsulhfuoiory, but it seems to j severally thought now that prices aro not tikc.iy to go lower, and that them may I l w ' a bettCMrade in the United States this .•uilurnn. Knglisli domestic pelts, especially iambs, are selling at relatively much I'M n'.onoy than Now Zealand polls. The denwi'/l for prime freezing pelts, mixed and inferior qualities being ditfic'ilt to sell at low prices. '

RABBITSKINS. Ihe last sale of rabbiiskin's tho small :r of JO/3 bales o! Ansirnlasian (incbtd--151 bales from New Zealand) was eataid, 1045 bales being sold (123 bate from Zealand included. There, was an active mil from the usual attendance of rs, and prices ruled about Id per ib . l r on average. Goctl >vinter New Zeasoi'ts, MiiiaWc lor dressing, woi'o 1 !'<■ few available realised extreme 'S. hair to gec! season sold at U1 to ier Ib advance. Low season small and era gained Id to ]£d per Ib. Black stiver grev were largely represented. Xaliouai Mortgage an.,l Agency ComIhe following quotations foe Zetland -kills: —Selected winter (drc,.--skill;), Z-; old | 0 3 f . ] )Cl . ii), g 0()l [ or (light peitcti], Is tM to 2s 2-d per do mixed pjitod. h 7Jd to 2s ki; fab;ood season. Is 43,| t„ 1., ioid per lb; lOd to Is ;;d; season, I to Is ijd per lb; common and low, (!d s sd: smalt and -tickers, 5Jd to Is Id; k and silvery, Is o>d to 3s per lb; fawn d to Is bit! per lb. ' LE.miKU. f tlio. 350 sides of Australasian leather red for sale recently tho National Mort--0 and Agency Company siat« thai 29L a sold ai fully late rate-; to id per ib ance. New Zealand iirst class realised lo 9Jd p?r lb, jcwixli fc'iil io !)Jd; lir.'ts drcuip.d, second class dressed, 1 per lb. Privately there luts been a, trade passing oil similar lines. HAS [LS. lie total ottering;, of basils at (he last s were 14,119; of these 2418 wore sokl I<l 10 jd per lb advance. Tito National rtgage ami Agency Company says that x /.calami be„l Mild at 16jd Io lfi^l, JiiiU at l?.id to liiid, first greasy 15-d, do lid. third do 9d \;er lb. l'rivutely market is very cptiet, except for tho ler qualities, which are. scarc-3. HIDJiS. Vt tho ln-5t auciiotw 8701 hules, mostly f and yearling, wore otterc.l; r,o::e wero tl. Tho National .Mortgage and Agency tiipauy writes that the inquiry was very lited for the lighter hides; 744 sailed rse were' olfcral, and 547 sold with a >d demand at fuil prices. Heat 10s fid to , 6d, seconds and small 8s 6d to 10s ?d, vds 4s 3d to 6s 6d per hide. Privately is impossible to do business at tlio limits posed. NKW ZEALAND MEAT. Foncnu oy Lames. Messrs Cordon, Wocdrooll'c, and Co. lintain that the weaknes-s of sellers is to great exteni, responsible for a further -tine in the values ol New Zealand lambs, iglttened by tho advices of heavy sdiin;nts from the Dominion, and not taking 0 account the increased output, they eonmo lo force sales as each vessel arrives, d endeavour to justify their stiles of toy by taking a. lower price to-morrow, lis refers more particularly lo the choice ands, of which present sloj'sn arc by no eans heavy. In fact, many firms tiro irking from hand lo mouth until they c<ui : t delivery from the ships, and' most of e Canterbury lambs being marketed aro it of voxels discharging. But for tlio ;akness displayed by sellers, there is no ason why Canterbury lambs of all grades oiikl not be selling at higher raits. A cord consumption lor tho month of May mentioned, owing largely, 110 doubt, to e low prices ruling. Mean's Dalgcty and Co. give the followg curretit prices for New Zealand Jamb: initei'bury—Ligbt weights 4Jd per lb, -diinii 4|d, heavy 3jd; socond quality ,d i"/er lb; Southland—Jjight weights 4ad, edium 4gd, Jteavy ;\\ ellington—Light eights 'Id per ib, medium 4d, Jteavy 3id, coud (|uality (light) Uisborno and her North Island descriptions — Light eignU and medium weights 3Jd per lb, :cot;d quality 3tjd to O^d. The same firm reports more demand for iiuttou, but any change in price is hi tvottr of the buyer, with the exception f light and medium Canterbury, which S id per lb firmer on the week; top uotation is 3jd for light weights ami Sid or medium. Light-weight Wellington nutton is quoted at 2UI. and medium at ijd per lb, heavy at £d; second quality, ight, at 2Jd. Light-weight Southland lieep are quoted at per Ib, and iiediunvweight at 2Jd, with 2d per lb for icavy. There has been a considerable rise in the irico of frozen boef, best brands having dvaitced Jd per Ib. The high price has, s usual, curtailed the demand, so that irices to-day aro a share easier, and tho" Isinand is iimited. JJessra Dalgcty do not xpect pr-EHsnt price; to continue. Hind-■ [uarters of Wellington prime ox aro [uotcd at 4-ld. per lb, forequariers at 3d ier lb; Wanganui hindquarters at 4{d, orequartcir, at 2Jd; Gisborne hindquarters t 4id, forequartcis at 2^l; secondary s'dw Zealand hindquarters, second ox, 4d ief lb; foreqmtrters, second ox, 2Jd. hindquarters, cow, s|d per lb, forepiarters 2], d. The C'.C. and D. Company notes that tho ixpansion in the colonial supply of frozen ieef is welcome. Stocks 011 band ari very noderate, and the month's trade has been narked by a rapid advance in prices. Tho luotation of 4Jd per lb for hindquarters Hid 3d for foreyuarters for New Zealand oeef is almost nominal, and 11 gcod ileal of business is being done at less than tho ptotatioiiii given for South American beef. It if, doubtful if present prices will he maintained, and the market will no doubt bo governed by supplies of chilled beef. The actual re:;oipt; of Now .Zealand lambs so far—1,456,278 carcases—are only 132.000 carcases in cxcctw of last year, but there has been an increase of 353,835 carcass from other sources. The C.C. and 1). Company write that Ihe market has never recovered from the too-abundant supplies received early in the. season, and although the output is probably fully equal to that of tho same date in any previous year, it is not equal io restoring ihe quo-' tatioiis to a more satisfactory level. Canterbury lambs go easily into consumption, and there are no old stocks of Ibis description. Light weights make up lo 4;,' d per .lb, and heavy weights down to 4d per lb. North Island lambs are very plentiful, and their top value i' : 4Jd per lb, ranging from that figure down lo ojd per lb. The May shipments appear lo be Ihe heaviest mi record. Of Nc v Zealand motion the C. C. and D. Company reports:—The arrivals during Iho [our weeks under review amount to 172,538 carcases. Tim total receipt; this year now reach 981.901 carcases, exceeding last. vear'.» total by 212,716 carcases and the shipments afloat aro largely in excess of these at, the same date last year. The position oi the mutton market cannot, however, bo considered by rcgAi'ding these figures alone. It is necessary to -remember "fhat there has been an increase of 452,749 carcases in the receipts from Australia and an inirepe of 114,003 carcases from South America, a tot'd increase of 77.473 carcases in the five months. In addition, there has been nil abundant .supply of cheap lambs, while ihe d'.diicss of the inquiry for mutton has consisted of heavy unsaleable sheep. Tho dulncss of the inquiry for mutton has scarcely been stimulated by the lower range o! prices accepted, and values receded to tho lowest level recorded for many year* past. At one time very heavy wethers and owes could be bought at Ijd per lb, and good avcrs.ge North Islands at yd per lb. At Ihe finish there is a slightly firmer tone and 2d per lb is now tbc lowest figure accepted for the cheapest grades. .Medium weight North Islands are worth 2gd to ?4<T per lb, and light weights 2Jd per lb. Canterbury sheep have been somewhat scarce. Light weights have maintained their value, fairly steadily at close up to 3jd per lb, but very heavy carcase; (.re sold down to 2Jd per lb, which gives a wide range for intermediate grades. The stocks of North Island sheep in store are- very heavy, and it has been a very difficult mat!or lo maintain iho output. Import of Fro/.fix Sheep tl La:.;iis (Januarv 1 to June II). 108 S. 19®. Jnorcaso. N.Z. Am 7ai« wwi 2H710 N.Z. lambs . 1,:124,15S 1, ISC 278 IM.W Australian sleep 2J7.219 6.-0.003 -Ij-.iU Australian lambs 821,522 931,541 11 l,o_v. South American sheep .. 1,206,67-1 1,880,652 111,008 South American lambs . .. 102,415 415,23b 255.814 4,583,033 S,S3S,C3t 1,275,398