TRADES AND LABOUR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2287, 30 December 1897, Page 13

TRADES AND LABOUR.

THE AMEKICAN COTTON SPINNERS. New York, December 22, Many American cotton employers have notified their employees of an intended 10 per cent, reduction in wages. THE ENGINEERS' DISPUTE. London, Dacember 20. Mr Barnes says it is intended to watch carefully the stipulation on the part of employers as to excessive overtime. lie believes that many employers propose to introduce a new class of workman, and he regards the specialising of work as a danger to unionism. The engineers are balloting upon the questions of acceptance of the masters' proposals with regard to freedom in the management of their works and the proposed compromise of making 51 hours a week's work. December 22. \ One hundred and twelve trade societies have accorded support to the movement initiated by Messrs Barnes (secretary) and Sellicks (chairman), of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers, for holding & national convention of trade unionists. Mr Barnes states that it is not likely that the Engineers' Conference will reassemble. December 23. The "Eiglneer" says that the employers In the engineering trades expect the dispute with the men, which resulted in the recent conference, to be qaickly terminated. The ■ employ eis intimate that they have finally declined to consider the compromise suggested by the engineers for a reduction in the hours of labour to 51 per week. They also'regard as useless the ballot now beiDg taken among the members of the- Society of Engineers upon the question of ths acceptance of the masters' proposals. Mr Barnes, secretary to the ecgineers, | states that the engineers at Manchester, Newcastle, Glasgow, and other centres refuse to resume work unless the hours of labour are reduced and the old conditions of employment conceded. December 24. Mr Barnes, secretary, says he is confident none of the engineers will accept the terms offered by employers. December 26. A conference of the engineers and 100 other trades has been held to discuss the proposal of the operatives for a compromise of 51 hours aa a week's work. The resolution that the conference agreed to has not been allowed to transpire. The number of men out of employment in coe sequence of- the strike in the engineering trade is stated to be 81,000. '"

Melbourne, December- 26. The miners of Bendigo hare resolved upon a levy of 3d per member per week in aid a the engineers out on strike in Great Britaia