TRADES AND LABOUR

Otago Witness, Issue 2556, 11 March 1903, Page 26

TRADES AND LABOUR

«^ LONDON, March G.

Two thousand workmen at the Kaysslope and other collieries at Blaenavon, in Monmouthshire, have struck because they were not allowed to finish work earlier in the clay. They allege as a consequence that they got wet through.

March 9.

Forty thousand Lancashire and Cheshire miners are prepared to support the South Wales colliers if they strike for increased wages.

MELBOURNE, March 3.

A deputation from the Amalgamated Miners' Association, including Tasmanian representatives, interviewed the Federal Attorney-general to ascertain the position of trades unions in view of the Taff Vale decision. The deputation explained that the association wanted the right to use every peaceable means to induce men to become members. They read the Taff Vale decision to mean that if there was a dispute on they could not attempt to induce men to Join the union, otherwise they would fall under the ban of the law. The iissociation was formed for a noble purpose — to band men together, — but evidently that purpose was nullified by the judgment of the English courts. The deputation asked that an inquiry be instituted to ascertain what are the le<:al rights of the unions, aud urged that the law should be made to apply equally to employer and employee. The unions only wanted the right to use moral suasion. Mr Deakin endorsed the argument. The Taff Vale decision applied, not only tr the officers, but to every single member of thp unions. He pointed out that the Federal power at pre.senl was limited to those disputes which overflowed from one State to another. A bill was being drafted which would allow the Arbitration and Conciliation Court tc exercise ithe full powers conferred by the constitution thereof. If passed by* Parliament, it would render impossible such a result, in cases within the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth, as that of the Taff Vale case. The powers of the Federal Government would be, as far as possible, directed to make picketing a matter of no interest in disputes.

THE RABBIT TRAPPERS' UNION.

A special meeting of the Otago aud Southland Rabbit Trappers.' Union was held in Mr J. .1. Ramsay" 1 * office on Wednesday afternoon, when a res jlution was passed deciding on registration under the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act of 1900. The secretary (Mr Espie) was instructed to order 500 books of rules from the printer. Mr R. Ferguson was elected president, vice Mr J. Harris resigned, and it was decided to affiliate with the Trades and Labour Council of Otago. Messrs A. Espie, T. Dowling. C. Hanlon, and H. Hands were elected delegates to represent the union on the council. The roll of the union now contains the names of over 250 financial mem-

bers, and additional members are joining daily.

At a specially convened meeting, held at Reefton, it was unanimously resolved to support the appointment of a national labour organisation for the colony.