LABOUR.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13533, 2 March 1908, Page 5

LABOUR.

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Press Assouiation-By Telegraph-Copyright

.LONDON, February 28.

The engagement of 08 Chinese firemen and seamen for a. steamship in the West India Dock led to a meeting under the auspices of the National Seamen's and Firemen's Union, vigorously protesting, and urging tile Government to prevent I he -wholesale importation of Chinese into British, :-:hips at. reduced wages.

TH R ENGINEERS' DISPUTE

LONDON, February 28,

The engineers on the north east coast ■have begun tliel ballot- on the proposal to resume work on the basis of no change or if flier© is to be any before Easter and in that case for or against a reduction of one shilling' a week.

NEW SOUTH WALES LEGISLATION.

S\ DNEiY. February 29. The Premier, speaking at. a banquet at' Newcastle foreshadowed a Wages Board Bill. He said that the Government should see that the necessary machinery was provided for continuity in tlie work of every industiy. He. asked'the assistance of all sections in providing a remedy for the ineffective arhitrattuon legislation. It -wais] necessary that the tribunal should deal promptly with all dispute!-. It. would be presided over by a man engaged, in the industries concerned.

STRIKE OP COAL-MINERS

ADELAIDE, February 28. The Cardiff coal-miners have struck owing to the refusal of the owners to pay an increase of wages in accordance with the agreement of last year. One hundred and twenty men are idle.

THE NEWCASTLE TROUBLE,

STRAINED SITUATION.

Received 4.34 p.m.. .March Ist

SYDNEY,

March 1.

The Newcastle Miners'' Committee of Management' after , two days' consideration of the question of submission, of evidence in camera to the Special Coal Court resolved that thei federation could not. acctpti evidence in camera, ■ and that all must' be givc-n in opc-n court,. The resolution "vrill be submitted to a special meeting- of thei miners' lodges on Monday, along' with a. suggestion that- if either. party refuse to give evidence . because ;if : published it would be prejudicial to.. their (financial' position, the court shall examine such; evidence and decide whether the ground of objection is sustainable.- " The situation is now strained, ad the President of the Court has definitely ruled to accept in camera evidence in' reference, to the financial position of colliery companies. TIMBER AND' COAL YARDS. A conference lasting tln-ee hours was held in the jury room at tlio. Courthouse, on Friday morning, be wean - employers and employees in the timber and coal yards, to consider the proposed new log of hour. l ; and wages and to try and effect a. settlement without' reference to the Conciliation Board. 'Mr W. Miuson, chairman of tlie Board, presided, andl there were present, representatives' of each of the Timaru timber firms, MrE. Brown, of Temuka, Mr J. L. Gillies, representing the coal merchants and,a number of employees. \

After consideration the conference decided to accept the Christchurch log with some slight modifications, and agreed to submit two minor issues to the Board, and to accept their decision without appeal. It was, therefore, not necessary for the Conciliation Board to ,sit here and the members left for Christchurch by the first express. In all probability the recommendation of the Board wiil be announced in Christchurch.