Labour Matters

Southland Times, Issue 12121, 29 April 1908, Page 2

Labour Matters

EIGHT HOUR DAY FUNCTION. By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyright. MELBOURNE, April 28, The eight hour demonstration war partly spoiled by showery weather. The speakers referred to the railway disaster, and condemned the long liour.s worked by enginemen. Mr Fisher, leader of the Labour Party, declared that the Party was too modest. Unions throughout the Commonwealth must ask themselves at next election whether the Federal Parliament should receive increased power to pass Industrial legislation. Mr Prendergast declared that on all questions affecting the workers the States have given up their powers to the Commonwealth.

COST OF STRIKING. LONDON, April 27. The engineers' and shipyard strikes have already cost the men half-a-mil-lion sterling. ARBITRATION COURT. Per United Press Association. AUCKLAND, April 2S. The sittings of the Arbitration Court jvere begun this morning before Mr Justice Sim. A number of eases of breaches of award were heard and fines up to £E were inflicted. 'Die Auckland Carpenters and Joiners Union sought to have its award extended to include the Colonial Sugar Refining Co. Mr Grosvenor appeared for the Sugar Co. and objected to being included. Mr Millar (manager for the Co.) said that lie had a number of carpenters' continuously employed at a wage of £3 a, week for casual labour. The award rate was paid. The Court directed the parties to hold a conference with a view to arriving at a settlement, intimating that the case would be called again later on. RECIPROCAL PREFERENCE. AUCKLAND. April 28. In these days of Industrial disputes, reciprocal preference between employers and employees is a thing which is seldom provided for. The Hamilton painters' dispute is. however, a case in point. In the agreement presented for ratification to the Arbitration Court to-day tho employers agreed to giving of preference of employment to unionists, while tho men bound themselves. when seeking work, to seek it from members of the Masters' Guild, in preference to others.

EMPLOYERS' FEDERATION. OAMARU, April 28. Mr Wm. Pryor, secretary to the New Zealand Employers' Federation, addressed a large meeting of employers here to-night. The result of Mr Pryor's visit to Oamaru is a considerable addition to the number of members of the local association and increased interest in tho work of the Federation.