LABOUR.

Temuka Leader, Issue 5823, 29 May 1909, Page 4

LABOUR.

PARIS, May 2G. Tho Marseilles seamen have struck. Thoy demand a weekly day of rest ami the exclusion of coloured men. The London and Messageries Maritime* boats are affected by the strike, and the early produce trallic from Northern Africa is paralysed. Twenty-live-steamers are rendered idle. MELBOURNE, May 27, Speaking at the Block X Company's meeting, the chairman said that the award recently yivon in the Arbitration Court was so far-reaching that it might be disastrous to the entire community-. Before the Court could become of real utility stune drastic amending legislation was necessary. BOOTMAKINOr DISPUTE.

WELLINGTON, May 27

The Arbitration Court continued the hearing of the dispute in the boolmaking industry to-day. Mr irostick, on behalf of the employers, quoted figures to show how the importation of boots was increasing. Jf all the boots now imported were mado in New Zealand, employment would be given to about 1500 persons. Nearly 200,000 more pairs of | boots were imported in 1906 than were made in New Zealand. An award for hi'dier wages would mean that it would l)e impossible for the employers to carry on without running a great risk of destroying their business. If wages were to be based on profits, they must also be based on losses. 'Australia, with a population of 1.000,000 in 1906, imported footwear of the value of £96,889, in 1906 she imported £82,975 worth. New Zealand, with a population of about 4,000.000 in 1906, imported footwear £125,157 in 1906, and the British importations in 190 S were valued at X] 12,182, an increase for two years of £13,995, as against Australia's decrease of £13,911. Surely these were startling figures to be considered, not only by boot manufacturers, but by the people of New Zealand. In IS'SS the percentage of imported boots, per head of population in New Zealand, was .89, in 1907 it was 1.1-l; thus every person in New Zealand, taking tho average, was wearing nearly a pair and a half of dutiable boots per year. Eighty per cent, of the people were working people, and were not loyal to their own industries. After evidence hail been given for tho employers, Messrs Frostick and Cooper nddress<y! the Court. It was then decided that the parties should meet in conference to-morrow morning.

STARLING RELILT WORKS

WELLINGTON, May 21. 'The Wellington Harbour Board had under consideration to-day the> question of proceeding with new works, with a view to alTordiuu some relief to the lar»-e number af unemployed at present in Wellinuton. U was resolved to immediately proceed with the "works recommended bv the engineer, involving an expenditure of about IMO.WO. I)r Newman (Mayor of W'elliiiLrton) said .the City Council would co-operate with the Harbour Board as far as possible, and had already endeavoured to meet tin- dilliculty by starliiiLr useful works.

NATIONAL TESTIMONIALS

CHRISTCHURCJI, May '2l.

At a complimentary banquet toniuriit. attended by close on IiOU fanners. .Messrs I)avi<l -Jones and Richard Kvans were presented will) a national testimonial in recognition of thrir services to (lie farmers in N"ew Zealand in conducting the Canterbury fanners' case in the farm labourers' dispute, llr (I. W. Jjcadle.v presided, and he and other speakers warmly eulogised'- the services done by I\lcssrs dones and Evans, who were presented with illuminated addresses and purses of sovereigns. Tim prore'dings were most enthusiastic