Labour Movements.

Southland Times, Issue 11485, 18 June 1890, Page 2

Labour Movements.

, — •- . [By Telegraph.] Wellington, June 17. The Railway Employes' delegates were entertained at a smoke concert laat night. Mr Taylor, M.H.R. for Sydenham, responding to the toast of the House of Representatives, said he had been informed that the Railway Commissioners intended to ask Parliament to vote sufficient money by which an increase of wages could be given to railway servants. Mr Hoban, President of the Society, remarked that the delegates were received with the utmost courtesy by the Commissioners. The Railway Coaf<jrence was resumed this morning. Continuing the hours of labour question, Mr Maxwell put several instances before the delegates, and asked how they could be treated. Mr Hoban replied that the cases cited Mere exceptions, and the Executive were alive to the fact that mutual concessions would have to be made on. the labour question. The Executive were arguing on broad principles. The example of an engine driver who was away from home 13b hours per day, but of that term was "standing " six hours, was taken. Mr Owen said the Society did not wish anything unreasonable, but what they proposed to do was this : — After a man's 48 hours for the week were finished, to pay him overtime for the six hours required to make the four clear days. Then have him relieved by another man, or, in other words, institute "a three leg service. " Mr Hoban, in reply to Mr McKerrow, said emphatically that the Executive desired that a driver should always be paid for the time he is booked otK After luuch further discussion took place on the subject of piecework, and the delegates strongly urged that the system should be abolished altogether. This was all the business, and Mr Hoban thanked the Commissioners heartily for the kind treatment the delegates had received at their hands, and he thought such treatment Bhowed conclusively that the Commissioners wished to hear their employes in a fair manner. Mr McKerrow thanked Mr Hoban for his remarks, and said that although they bad not agreed on all points the demands of the Executive seemed to be reasonable. The Commissioners will give their replies to the deputation on Thursday. Before breaking up Mr Edwards ;isked the Commissioners ro order an impartial inquiry to be held into the state of the engine-driver who drove the Governor's train on the Auckland section on Good Friday. Mr McKerrow promised that this should be done. Dr Grace has replied to the Trades and Labour Council rt the Wellington tramway to the effect that the Company have carried out in good faith the recommendations agreed upon at the conference on the 31st May, and holds the Council to that understanding, which, he states, was deliberately entered into aud freely published. The undertaking in question was that the Com pany were to have three months in which to improve traffic before being called on to make increases to the emoluments of the employes. The Company, he adds, -will be quite willing to improve the position and emoluments of the employes at tho expiration of three months or sooner if the traffic warrants it. The Council will consider the matter to-night.