LABOUR ITEMS.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 3559, 10 May 1901, Page 4

LABOUR ITEMS.

-■' ■ ■ ♦ ' ■ United Press Association—Per Electrio Telegraph—Copyright. Received 1-2 a.m., May 10th. MADRID, May 9. The tramway strike at Barcelona has culminated in a general strike and riots, The city has been proclaimed in a state oi siege. The cavalry charged the rioters, injuring many. Per Press Association* THAMES, May 9. At tie Conciliation Court to-day. a [witness gave evidence that there was a gas in many oi the Thames mines dangerous to miners. One -witness thought that an increase would do no harm, as the companies could take a portion off the salaries of highly-paid officials. Another said that a number of Thames mines, smaller properties, -were being held chiefly for speculative purposes. It was stated on behalf of the companies that the Thames- ~' -Ham-aid had spent over £BO,OOO on plant at the May Queen, and £16,000 in twelve months on development and. mine work, and that other large companies were being reconstructed to provide further capital. CHRISTCHURCH, May 9At the Arbitration Court to-day, the botchers' dispute "was adjourned until evidence was taken in Wellington as to the conditions of trade existing there. Mr Juctice Cooper, at the Arbitration Court to-day, decided that hairdressers' as- - astants come -within the scope of tie Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration act. Mr Justice Edwards some time ago held that grocers* assistants and tramway employees -were outside the Act, as they were not connected with a productive industry. Since then the Act has been amended, and Mr Justice Cooper holds that the -word ' "industry" is extended so as to include ■ businesses, trades, undertakings, and employments, of a non-productive character. The .point wul be taken to the Supreme Court for final decision. DUNEDIN, May 9. The CJoalminers' Association did not accept the Board's recommendation re the Shag Point and the Kaitangata disputes. The Bakers* Union accept the Board's recommendation in regard to the dispute ■with the Southland master bakers. No ■word from the employers has been received. Tbtf recommendation in the ironworkers' dispute re the'Burnside roller mills, is 48 tours a -week; minimum wage 7s & day; overtime, first two hours time and a quarter,, after two hours time and a half. Saturdays and holidays to count double; pieceworkers to receive an increase in a tannage equivalent tq the above overtime. The Board recommended that Unionists end non-Unionists shall work in harmony, and receive the same pay. The Board holds that it has no jurisdiction to fix the wages of underhands.