LABOUR MATTERS

Southland Times, Issue 14577, 18 November 1910, Page 6

LABOUR MATTERS

LUMPERS BACK AT WORK. (By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright). SYDNEY, Nov. IT. The Broken Hill .Miners' Association strongly attacks the Labour Government over the refusal to release Stokes, one of the rioters In the broken Hill strike. Two lodges at Xewcaslle have nominated candidates to oppose Mr Peter Bowling for the presidency of the Miners' Federation. The coal lumpers resumed work last night. A three years' agreement has been signed. TK3Q SKIPPING LAW. (Per United Press Association). DUXFDIX. Nov. IT. Mr flelcher. secretary to the Seamen's Fnioii. has telegraphed to Sir .1. G. Ward: "While appreciating the Government's beneficent intentioh« >"*' legislation against Lascar manned vessels, the Seamen's Colon is of opinion that immediate remedial measures are necessary to tax the P. and O. service this season. I understood at "Wellington this could be done by local enactment." STATE COLLIERIES CRITICISED. CURISTOHURCH. Nov. 17. The Maoriland "Worker, the organ of the Xew Zealand Federation of Labour and the Shearers' Union, in its current number publishes an article on the State collieries showing -that 20U men were injured in two years. S5 in 10 Id. Jt urges the need of hospital and ambulance appliances, and the establishment of a cottage hospital at Point Elizabeth. The article alleges that nothing has been done lo remedy t\i?. insanitary conditions in the mines, which are described as abominable. It urges that the law applying lo quart* mines be made aoplic able to coal mines. Balh rooms and changing rooms are als > needed. The accommodation for miners near the mines and in the State township is also warmly criticised. The State's efforts to provide decent houses at Runanga ended Willi the erection of seven or eight cottages. Private landlordism is rampant, and the miners for the most part live in miserable hut.! and shacks. The town has no. drainage system, water supply or lighting. With regard to the management of the mine, it is alleged that there is still grave danger of ffooding owing to the inadequacy of the pumping plant.