LABOUR.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13531, 28 February 1908, Page 6

LABOUR.

EFFECT OF NEWCASTLE STIIIKI-

Press Aiiocialion-By Telegraph-Copyright SYDNEY. February 27.

Before the Coalmining Couit, ttie representatives of the coal-owners gave evidence that much foreign trade was lost, and numerous large contracts were cancelled, owing to the strike. STRIKE AT BLACKBALL. Per Press Association. GREYMOUTH. Feb. 27. Seven miners were dismissed from the Blackball Mine last night, and to-day all the men refused to go to work, and the mine is idle. CHRISTCHURCH, Feb. 27.

The Hon. J. A. Millar, Minister for Labour, before he left for Wellington tonight stated that he had received no fuller information in regard to the Blackball mining trouble, than appeared in the papeis. "I do not know what course will be pursued on the present occasion. I have telegraphed for full particulars, and expect to receive all information on my arrival at Wellington to-morrow morning. When this is available I shall be in a. position to decide whati is best to be done."'

IMPORTING LABOUR

ASHBURTON, Februarv 27.

Interviewed by a '• Guardian" reporter, the Hon. Mr Millar said the Government intended to continue the importation of agricultural labourers and domestic servants, but would "spread the requirements, which he estimated at 2700, including 500 girls, over two years, and obtain all from the British Isles if possible. Excellent reports were given of the standard of immigrants of the past few years, and similar methods of selection would be pursued. A contract system would not bo acceptable with the Government or private employers. No definite employment or period would be guaranteed: in fact, they would not depart from the present system. The Minister said that the piolest- of the Otago Trades and Labour Council must have Ken carried without- a full knowledge of Uie true position. If they kucw the actual condition of some of the trades in llie Dominion, and how greatly tlieir output could be increased if more men were available, they could not if they wished to see the country progress, carry such a. resolution. He was quite in accord with them against any general scheme of immigration, but to think that industries ought to be allowed to r. main practically stagnant was nol in his I.pinion in the best- interests of the Dominion. Thar.; wa.s no need for ail oiiicrv: Mir-lv in a country with a population <>f marly uiw million 2COO |*ople wei>- a very .-mall numb-, r t»» l»- brought in in two yeaio to meet the r<'|uriement.s of all indu.-tries. Tliere was a. demand I liroii-_rln.iit for many rlnrjsttv of labour ,-intl it tli>- <!utv of the Government t» cater for such v.ith out embracing a general scheme of immigration. The Government- would ;issi>t as far as practicable to afijui-4 Ihe distribution of the available surpliv. labour.

ASHBURTON. Februarv 27.

A poll taken to-day on the proposal that the half holiday for factories be on Thursday which is the day obseived bv the shops inst.ad of on Saturday ;i., the law at pre.-erit provides, wax eani-d !,.- 173 t" 14 vot«s. TIMUKK AXI) COAL YARDS. Messrs Mirrson (chairman). Nheal. Kn.bridne. ami Whiting, members of the Canterbury 1 'oneiliatioii Hoard, and .1. Tiiou). .!. l-'orier-tvi- and J. Wright, Union rejHvseiitativrs. came down from Chri.-tehtrreh y...tridav to go into elaiinmade by the employers of the coal and under raid owners. These had been d-.-alt with at Cliri*tchureh, and the Ti-

main employers had been_ cited I hither, but at tliu request of \\. Irwin, uho represented Ihem, ibe Board agreed to hold a separate sitting in limaru. Ihe dati- was not then fixed. and when it wac% ti.v.-d the Timaru employers. through f'mie oversight, were not advised of it. ( onsr'in- ntly when the Board arrived yexteiday the employers welt- not prepared to go on. not having witnesses ready. When thu Hoard fiat there were present, of the employers. M 's J. Jackson, W . (J. Irwin. J. Ord. and J- L. (lillits. On its being proposed to adjourn tilL 10 next morning, it was pointed that their were employers interested at Geraldine. Waimate and Teniuka, and the.-,-cnulil not reach Timaru by that- liour. Mr Thorn then proposed to get. over that difiicultv by limiting any decision arrived at to Timaru and a certain radius around it to be agreed upon. Mr Rusbridge remarked that as these employers were not represented in any way at C hristcluuch, though cited, it might be assumed that tl.ey°were willing to accept any arrangeni'iit that might be made for limaru. Kmplovers and employees being agreeable, it. "was arranged that they should meet in conference at 10 a.m. to-day, under the presidency of Mr Minson : and that they should report the result- lo the Unanl. sitting formally at 11 a.m.