LABOUR MATTERS

Southland Times, Issue 17014, 12 April 1912, Page 6

LABOUR MATTERS

3HEABESS’ DEMANDS. (Per United Press Association). WELLINGTON’. April 10. Messrs King, Laracy, McLeod, McLennan, and Ha,ll waited on the Hon. G. Laurenson, Minister of Labour, as a deputation from the Shearers’ Union. They urged that as there is one award applicable to the whole Dominion one central registered office of the Union should be Sufficient, instead of having to maintain offices In each industrial district, as the law now compelled it to do. it was desired that the Act should be made more effective as regards accommodation for shearers. The (Minister promised the matter careful consideration, and said that he would lay it before Cabinet. PEDESAL MERCHANT SERVICE AWARD. (By Telegraph. —Pres* Association. — Copyright.) MELBOURNE, April 11. The Federal Arbitration Court award In the case Merchant Service Guild against the steamship owners provides for an all-round increase of wages to captains and officers on intor-State passenger and cargo vessels, an eight hour day, overtime payment, increased holidays. one month’s notice or pay after three months’ service, when an officer's articles are expiring. The President reserved further consideration of the Question as to whether the award should apply to—or to what extent—the boats of the Union Company, Huddart, Parker, and a number of other companies trading outside Australia. The award has a proposed currency of five years operating from May 1. The Guild expressed satisfaction with the award. The ship owners of Sydney question the power of the Court to deal with ■vessels trading within one State only, and predict that the increased coat involved will be disastrous to the shipping trade, which will be driven into the hands of big foreign companies. Otherwise all the increases must be passed on to the public, as shipowners cannot tear them. A RUSH EOE BBICEXATEBS. SYDNEY. April 11. The issue of the circular to the Bricklayers’ Union announcing that the Government require seven hundred bricklayers, who will bo guaranteed two years’ work at the best rates, and the report that a full number of men have applied, is alarming builders, who declare that it will paralyse the private building trade. Builders are unable now to fill requirements in regard to brickiaj’ers. THE KEWCASriE MINERS, SYDNEY, April 11. A considerable section of tho coal minors are changing front in regard to the abolition of the afternoon shift, fenring that the result will be to throw many men out of employment. THE LZTHGOW TROUBLE. SYDNEY. April 11. Although the Lithgow strike is not yet officially declared off, the embargo on Uithgow iron, which caused the stoppage of tho Sydney foundries, has been removed, and the men have resumed. STATE employees and strides. LONDON. April 10. The Postal Servants’ Conference at Bristol, by ninety-eight votes to fortyseven, resolved that it was improper for postal workers to strike as State employment entailed special responsibilities.

TROUBLE ON WEST COAST. (Per United Press Association)'. WESTPORT. April 10. The Westport Coal Company received a. demand to-day from the Engine-driv-ers’ Union at Dcnniston for an assi'itant to be placed with the drivers in charge of the engines driving the fans at the mine, but the company refused the demand. The Miners’ Union thereupon notified the company that they would take to-morrow off to consider tile position. Consequently the Pennisl on section of the company’s mines will be idle to-morrow. AX OTIF.A DEPUTATION'. (Special to the Times.) CHRISTCHURCH, April 11. The Grey mouth correspondent of "The Press” telegraphs that affairs at the Otira tunnel formed the subject of a deputation to the Hon. Jas. Colvin. Mr T, H. Armstrong said that the West Coast General Unbnurer.-" Union had recently tried to conic to terms with tho contractors with reference to the hours and conditions of ir'nrr. They had tried to bring the tunnel. works under the provisions of the Mining Act. At the present time there were no proper inspectors to work the tunnel under the provisions of the (Jua. rides .Ac;. It was ridiculous in the extreme, The men should work eight hours from bank to bank. The conditions or. (Mire, were worse than in any mine in X’e.v Zealand The Minister said that in- could mil hold out any bop,, of the men g-lting what they whdted. In, rim .present stain of political parties i; would be madness to try to gei sue'-, a mea-urc ih rough the I-lousi. He w:i < in. f,,,■ g,,. bank to bank clause and had always supported it; in. ran. lie was the eim who had got it passed. -Mr Armstrong sail it was argued against the proposa! that, as the well.; was lining d.yn- i,v eon l met. ii was impossible to alt er the emidi I lom-- now. The Government wore idre.idy giv ! u<; (lie contractor a subsidy. Why. lie :., could they not put the works under tin- Alining Act and 'lv--- ihe c«:i! ravto;- a subsidy to recoup I;i:u for any b>.--- •; 'l'|. ■ contract would re-.;,he in two me; fn, Mr I’-tow eypiu im-d (ha: ip , did not empire until tii" met was completed. I‘enait;-s would bo jeieo-rd for r.on-comj'det ion. within bp ihr-e field. Mr A inns !r, -in.; said !hr hp. lh,: ( ,u or the Fed, r i:hoi won! ; :uu allow the work to go on mi Irr .(■•• io-o-nup t.uadi! ions. The.',' wi.-’p ,1 I, bring lip mutter once more unde; • I■.■ j,.,> ; f - . p. , Govornment l.vl’ore re wrli.ig f . i s,. luotipal'- i, f lip; "brut u I strip." ' i', ■ .- iv. however, determined to In,; i p,,. v. up until tip-y got wh;u timy « an'.od. ;V.ai 111 coal r.iiiars were ,'boai i.< p ; - jrcrrai.' an agiral imi for a Ci-.iiy m;;.:,’.:r Co;', in: ’’ 1 'Mil lea;.; iutr, 1 u,, yia.tb.tr." PAETTSKS AND DEGOISATOSS. (Per United Press Associu ;> ‘ bUMibIX. A, all 11. I The Federated Painter;;’ and luvora- | tors’ Conference was concluded to-day. | A model award was drafted, the intention being to apply for a 1 >omi in ion award as soon r.s the present one expire,. The next conference will held in N'apicr during the next three years. Tito managing Executive will meet in Wellington.