TRADES AND LABOUR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2161, 25 July 1895, Page 23

TRADES AND LABOUR.

At a meeting of settlers on the lands recently flooded by Lake Eilesmere, it was resolved to take steps to constitute a drainage distriot, and take the work of dealing with the Uke out of the hands of the Selwyn County Council. It was decided to ask the Government to appoint engineers to make a survey of the beach with a view of making a permanent opening from the lake to the sea. A meeting &t the Ghristohuroh Winter Work Fund Committee was held on Tuesday, when the mayor stated that the funds would only hold out another four weeks. Large numbers of men are still clamouring for "employment. It was reported that 534 men were employed on the relief works in the city and suburbs, but this does not include all the men out of work. The unyor said it was no earthly uae men coming to the oity in tbe hope of obtaining employment from the fund, because they would not receive it. Subscriptions, in money or kind, h»ve been received by or promised to the Otngo Miners' Association to the value of £210 14s. Wellington, July 19. At last night's meeting of the Trades Couucil a resolution was passed heartily approving of the action of the Dunedin City Council in passing a resolution to the effect that in all future contracts the perron or firm _ tendering shall undertake to pay all the workmen, whether artisans or labourers, the rate of wages current in the district, and regard eight hours qs the working day for which such wages shall be paid. Waimate, July -23. The following resolution was carried at an executive meeting of the New Zealand Workers' Union oa Saturday : — " That in the experience of this union the proposal to make stipendiary m tgistrates independent of Government control is premature, and should not be carried into effect until a better class of men has beau appointed in place of those now occupying the bench. The villiflcation of this union by the stipendiary* magistrate oil the occasion of the Beumore wet sheep dispute, and his later conduct in sending a man to trial for murder, against whom Judge Dennieton declared there was no evidence, indicates the necessity of more vigilant and active control by the Government rather than ifca abandonment."