LABOUR.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13907, 19 May 1909, Page 5

LABOUR.

EFFECT OF BLUFF. FRENCHMEN'S "SWAN SONG." Press Assocktion-By Telegraph-Copyright ..Received 10.57 p.m.. May 18th. PARIS, May 18. The disillusionment caused by the failure of every strike patronised by tho general confederation of labour, which for months past has bluffingly professed to be able to paralyse society and the Government, explains the collapse of the postal strike in Paris. M. Niel, secretary to the confederation, 'in addressing the Miners' Congress at LeliS; sorrowfully admitted that the organisation merely exists on paper. He urged the workers to make it a reality. His speech is interpreted as the ." Swan Song" of tho present revolutionary agitation. Forty-six more postal strikers have been dismissed. THE BARRIER MINES. Received 1 a.m., May 19th; SYDNEY, May 18. The Barrier miners' delegates, including those who visited Port Pirie, were in conference all day discussing the question whether or not to recommend the men to return to work. Latest 'reports, though indefinite, point to the earjy resumption, of work. . PREFERENCE TO UNIONISTS. Per Press Association. AYANGANUI, May 18. The annual meeting of*the Employers Association to-night resolved :- "That this Association is strongly opposed to the new phase of preference to unionists as lately laid down by tho Arbitration Court -and pledges itself to oppose the same by every means in its power. We are satisfied that a. very large proportion of the workers in. New Zealand are not members of a union and that they have a strong objection to joining any union. The employer is the only person competent to judge who is capable and worthy of employment bv him." It was also resolved to hold an industries week at the, time of the boat race. BAKERS' AWARD. AUCKLAND, May 18. The Arbitration Court award in the bakers' and pastrycooks' dispute provides that time worked, in excess of ten hours in any day shall be paid as overtime, irrespective whether the worker has worked 48 hours in the week. Provision is made for under-rate workers, and preference to unionists, with comnulsorv membership of the Union. In the country award, a sliding scale of wages lias been retained, and workers mav'be boarded at their employers premises at not exceeding 15s per week. The country clause will apply to 1.5 miles bevond Auckland post office, excluding Poverty Bay.