TRADES AND LABOUR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2274, 30 September 1897, Page 13

TRADES AND LABOUR.

London, September 25

The employers of the cotton spinners and the manufacturers propose to make a reduction of 5 per cent, in their wages. The operatives, believing that tbe cotton stuff* markets are improving, are likely to resist the reduction.

The Wharf, Riverside, and General Labourers^ organisation, has expelled the Seamen's and Firemen's Union in consequence of! the nonpayment of fees.

Newcastle, September 25.

A conference oE mine owners and miners' representatives to discuss the request of the miners that every skip of coal be weighed and talk over the renewal of a general district agreement proved abortive. Oa behalf of the owners it was stated that if the miners insisted on their demands respecting weighing, the proprietors would have to consider theadvi&ability of closing their collieries. While the owners are' of this opinion the question of a general agreement is now past all hope.

Sydney, September 25.

A letter received from one of the leaders of " New Australia " at Paraguay states that out of the five settlements into which the colony eventually broke up three are now running on individualistic lines, and the other two have again pooled their interests for the purpose of continuing as a co-opera-tive colony. Aoy new approved colonists arriving will • receive a free grant of 105 acres, and equally participate in the other concessions granted by the Paraguayan Government. The writer adds that the principles of equal sharing and democracy, as tested in " New Australia," have produced some startling effects. Men who formerly shrieked for equal franchise <here denounce womanhood suffrage and sneer at democracy as mob rule.