THE WHARE LABOUR DIFFICULTY AT SYDNEY SETTLED. Sydney, June 25.

Otago Witness, Issue 1900, 3 July 1890, Page 30

THE WHARE LABOUR DIFFICULTY AT SYDNEY SETTLED. Sydney, June 25.

The Trades and Labour Council have cabled to the London Trades and Labour Council and Dockers' Union warning men from accepting work iv Sydney in the event of a strike, At a conference between the delegates of the Marine Officers' Association of Viotoria and New South Wales with Bhipownerp, tho proceedings were of a mont friendly character. The proposals of the offioers were submitted as suggestions rather thau demands, and went in the direction of increase of pay, increase in the number of officers on intercolonial steamers, and a definition of working hours, and the duties of officers when at sea and in port. The shipowners suggested certain modifications, which have not been made public, but it is stated the delegates promised to give them full aud careful consideration, and intimated that they would forward their reply by letter. Sydney, June 26. At a meeting attended by 700 wharf labourers, arrangements were discussed for the anticipated strike. A suggestion by the Chamber of Commerce to refer the dispute to arbitration was declined, the meeting insisting that the only solution of the difficulty could be the concession by the owners of the demands made by the men. The hands will be called out at midnight on June 30 unless the employers give way. The Daily Telegraph, in commenting on the wharf labourers' difficulty, describes the position as wretchedly indefensible, and says .— " No doubt they are aware of this themselves, but having become so accustomed in the past to employers first making a show of resistance and then finally yielding to their demands, they have been tempted to go to an absurd extreme." It concludes by stating that the men have now started to find that the employers have a semblance of backbone. It is'understood that the wharf labourers and employers will hold another conference tomorrow, when probably a basis of arbitration will be arranged. Tne owners held a meeting to-day and the labourers meet to-night, and there is just a hope that the matters may be amicably arranged. Sydney, June 27. The difficulty between the wharf labourers and the Employers' Union has been settled, and a strike thus averted. The conference between the men and owners to-day extended over three hours, and the difficulty respecting the adjustment of working hours under the eight hours system was arranged by making the hours movable between 6 in the morning and 6 in the evening, ns the exigencies of shipping require. The men desired eight hours fixed in a day, but the employers objected on the ground that it was unfair in consideration of the fluctuations in the shipping trade, especially in the variableness of intercolonial shipping, to have the ordinary working hours too much limited. The difficulty regarding overtime was easily surmounted, the men stating that an understanding bad been arrived at between tbe labour leaders by which seamen agree to waive their claims to work overtime. With reference to tho employment of constant hands it was agreed that tbe men be allowed to join tbe union, the regular weekly wages not to be less than £2 4s for 48 hours worked weekly between the agreed working hours uuder the eight hours system, thus securing employers the freedom of contract which they demanded whilst protecting the men against the competition of non-union and underpaid men. The claim for lf smoke oh "during tho daytime was abandoned, the employers agreeing to allow a quarter of an hour at 0 30 in the evening and half an hour at 5.30 in tbe morning whilst the men were carrying bagged stuff, smoking tino to be paid for by the employers. The mv.a gave an assurance to abide by these terms and to resent any attempt at alteration for a period of 12 mouths. Sydney, June 29. At a largo meeting of wharf labourers last night, tho action of their delegates at tbe conference with employers was thoroughly endorsed. One of tho chief difficulties wirh the wharf labourers, it h said, is owing to tbe large bags used by New Zealand shippers. THE GREY VALLEY MINERS. Gbeymouth, June 30. Mr Nowton, president of the Grey Valley Miners' Association, states that the meeting held on Saturday eve Ding to diecusa Mr Kennedy's proposal was too thinly attended to warrant it arriving at any decision. It was decided that no action be taken respecting Mr Kennedy's proposal until there is nn idle day, when all the miners would be repreflfnted at a meeting, which is expected Uuriug the week. The general feeling ia that the mioers will refuse to go back to tbe old system, aud allow tbe mines to be closed if the company like. It is also understood that in such a case, till surface hands will n-ceive notice Rutl the miueß will be clospd. GUKYSIOTJTH, July 1. Mr Bishop, manager of the Grey Valley ttonl Company, writes to the Coal Miners' Association askiug them to allow a reduction of 20 per cent, ou all hewing rater, and asserts that the hewers are able to do this without thfiir wages falling below a reasonable standard. " Failing acceptance of this proposal, or sowe equitable.

adjustment being made, I am reluctantly compelled to give you the following notice : — * That all the colleries must cease work on and after Monday.'" The manager suggests, if the miners cannot agree, that the matter be referred to arbitration.