TRADES AND LABOUR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2179, 28 November 1895, Page 13

TRADES AND LABOUR.-

London, November 21. Employers In Ireland, Scotland, and thr North of Eogland have federated to resist the strikers. Ten great railway corporations -in Canada and the United States have combined to regulate the rates of pay. Sydney, November 19. At a meeting of the Seamen's Union it wa* reported that the men on tho Austral*Canadian liners had been granted an increase: of LI per month, and that that concession was also being obtained in some intercolonial steamers. November 22. The conferenca between mine owners and miners' delfgates has not concluded its proceedings. The discussion was of a friendly and conciliatory character, and it is understood that there are good prospects of a reasonable compromise. Melbourne, November 22. In the Assembly the Factories and Workshops Bill has passed. Clauses were inserted providing that boards shall fix the hourß of labour in each trade, and compelling .the employer to provide suitable sitting accommodation in shops for employees. Newcastle, November 21. Efforts to settle the trade, difficulty are likely to prove abortive. The leading colliery proprietors look coldly on the proposed conference, and urge that experience has proved that many of the collieries will not honourably observe any agreement, and while members of tbe association they undersold and stole trade from those* loyal to the principle. The conference meets to-morrow, but it is generally expacted that it will prove unsuccessful, and that negotiations will be abandoned. Upon the arrival of the Ocean Ranger the other day Mr J. A. Milltr, tbe member for Chalmers discovered that the railway hands discharging the vessel were only receiving 6a 6d per day, and at once placed himself in corn* muuication with the Public Workß department, and the following telegram from Under-sec-retary Blow is tbe outcome of the correspond" ence : — "Have made inquiries re matter you complained of, and find that work was done by men in charge of maintenance department by mistake. Instructions hare now been issued that the landing of all timber *nd other material from vessels ia to bs superintended by Traffic department, and that Is 3d per hour is to ba paid for casual labour employed."