LABOUR.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13834, 20 February 1909, Page 5

LABOUR.

NEWCASTLE COAL.TRADE

Press Association-Bv Telegraph-Copyright SYDNEY, Feb. 19.

The depression in the Newcastle coal trade dnring the last few months is having a serious effect On the district. A large number of - miners have been without constant work for months, and the starting of relief works is urged. ' The Labour Council is starting a campaign against the Government policy of securing immigrants through the Salvation Army. The system is characterised as an attempt to lower wages, and it has been decided to hold public protest meetings.

SYSTEM TO STAftD. Received 12.30 a.m., Feb. 20th. SYDNEY, Feb. 19. Judge ITiggins, in the Broken Hill arbitration case, announced that he would not .attempt to vary the contract. system, as I lie matter was too delicate to be /touched.

RAILWAY EMPLOYEES. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Feb. 19. It is reported that the recent difference between the Government • and the Petone railway workshops employees in respect to D 3 appointments, lias been settled. A deputation from the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, upon waiting on the Minister for Railways, is reported'to have been informed that- in future all promotions would be made according to the applicant's length of service. . An incompetent man, however, sis has always been the ease, 'might be passed over, and preference given to a more 'thorough workman, with perhaps not quite, such length of service. In regard to a certain Manawatu . employee s appointment, concerning which, an iudignation meeting was recently held in the Petone "workshops, the deputation was given, to understand that the appointment was only temporary.

AWARD INTERPRETATION. WELLINGTON, Feb. 19. Mr Justice Sim lias given an niterpretation of the typographical ziw arc! respecting the linotypers at Wellington city offices, in Avhich lio "makes clear that a- pieceworker is entitled to bo paid for work done on holidays simply at tlie extra rate prescribed in the award, to meet such occasions, not to receive in. addition the extra, day's pay allowed to weekly wage operators (those engaged for a definite term are the words of the interpretation) on certain specified holidays. .Tills means that pieceworkers who worked oil Labour Day and received 4id per thousand ens received all • they were entitled to under the award.

BUTCHERS' AWARD. DUNEDIN, Feb. 19. In tlio Arbitration Court to-day, Mr Justice Sim delivered an' interpretation of the butchers' award, as follows: Employer may, if he pleases, employ a youth to do the work of a journeyman, provided lie pays -him journeyman's wages; if a youth is thus employed the employer is entitled to count him as a man in computing the proportion oi boys to journeymen.