LABOUR MATTERS.

Southland Times, Issue 14322, 15 January 1910, Page 5

LABOUR MATTERS.

AN IMPORTANT CONFERENCE. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Jan. 14. An important conference of employers in various parts of the Dominion interested in the slaughtermens’ dispute was held in Wellington to-day to consider the position. The proceedings ■were held in camera. Definite overtures were made to endeavour to get a conference with representatives of the Slaughtermens’ Federation or the local Union with a view to endeavouring to amicably settle the dispute. Representatives of the men met the employers’ representatives this evening. A long conference took place, but no announcement v.'as vouchsafed as to anything in the nature of a settlement having been reached. THE SLAUGHTERING TROUBLE. SETTLEMENT IN CANTERBURY. CHRISTCHURCH, Jan. 14. After several days’ negotiations the matters in dispute between the freezing companies and the Canterbury Slaughterers’ Union w'ere satisfactorily settled this afternoon. The only information available is that an agreement has been arrived at and that work will continue as usual. The agreement is satisfactory to the parties concerned. It is understood that an industrial agreement embodying the understanding arrived at will be drawn up and signed by the parties and submitted to the Court of Arbitration for confirmation. STRIKE THREATENED. GISBORNE, Jan. 14. The Gisborne Sheep Farmers’ Company last evening received notice from 26 butchers in its employ intimating that under the provisions of clause 9 of the 1909 Act they intended to strike unless their demands were compiled with. REPORTED TERMS OF AGREEMENT. WELLINGTON, Jan. 15. This morning’s New' Zealand Times understands that at a conference last nigiit the employers’ and slaughtermens’ representatives arrived at an agreement to operate throughout at 25s per hundred and to have an eight hour day ; fines for damaged skins to be abolished, and preference to be given to Unionists. MINERS’ EIGHT HOURS. AN APPEAL TO STRIKE. jjy T«l«sr*pb-—Brets Association.—Ceoyrlrh*. LONDON, Jan. 13. Delegates representing 50,000 Durham miners, have resolved to ask all miners in the country to cease work immediately until the eight hours’ agreement is satisfactorily settled. In the course of a heated discussion a delegate strongly denounced the executive of the Durham Miners’ Association.