The Labour Question.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 1, Issue 50, 18 July 1890, Page 2

The Labour Question.

The Miners' Difficulty. The Movement at Sydney. Carriers and Shearers. WELLINGTON. July 14. The difficulty between the coal miners and the Grey Valley Coal Company is still unadjusted, but it has been resolved to meet the demands of miners by granting them another week to enable them to examine the books of the Company at Dunedin. SYDNEY, July 14. The old dispute over the colliery engine drivers has been settled, the proprietors agreeing to pay the late scale of wages. Overtime is demanded by the men after September Ist. Further labour troubles are threatening, owing to no reply being received to the rules secretly agreed to at the Seamen's Conference, and forwarded for the steamship owners' approval a week ago. The delegates from other colonies remain here awaiting a reply. If it does not come shortly they intend to return to their homes, and the rules will come into operation immediately. The steamship owners at a meeting agreed to the proposals of the marine officers as put forward by the Sydney Conference. The ultimate decision rests with the Sydney owners. The marine engineers are now agitating for an increase of pay, and are forwarding their demands to the owners. A conference is proposed. The owners have notified the Seamen's Union they will consider the new rules at a special meeting this week. The seamen have notified that if the rules are not accepted they will take action at the end of the week. The Shearers' Union has notified the squatter* that they have arranged with all the waterside unions to combine to prevent shipment of wool sheared by non-union labour.

July 15. , The Carriers' Union lias decided to affiiliate with the Shearers' Union. This federation will preclude carriers from loading non-union shorn wool. The Marine Officers' Association threaten owners not replying tti theitf demands to withdraw their request, and apply for affiliation with the Maritime Council or the. Trades and Labour Council, ~ , • ' "'; MELBOURNE, ... July 15. The unemployed continue to hold demonstrations. .. The Salvation Army are endeavouring to find. employment for some of those out.of work, and have over 1,500 names on their books. Up to the present the Army:has distributed 12,000 meals. AUCKLAND, ■-" ; : •■• : ' July 13. The difficulty between the Tramway Company and their employees has been settled by negotiations. The, Knights of Labour and the Company have signed an agreement that no employee shall, have to w,ork more-, than ten' hours a.day. ..,'.'!' . A Saddlers' Union has been formed. Those in the trade complain of excess of boy , INVEROARGILL, "',,■ .., • ■ , July 14. The Labour Union, numbering oyer seven hundred members, have', decided to join the Otago Trades and Labour Council . A labour election programme received' from Dunedin was referred to the Executive for report. ~ , :