TRADES AND LABOUR.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6886, 23 June 1890, Page 4

TRADES AND LABOUR.

«, THE CANTERBUBY COUNCIL. The ordinary meeting of this Council was held on Saturday evening at the Foresters' Hall. The President occupied the chair, and there were twenty-four members in attendance, representing nearly the whole of the affiliated Societies. The President reported upon the mission he had undertaken at Waimate, Oaniaru and Timaru, in conjunction with the Secretary, and correspondence relating thereto was read. A letter was received from the President of, the Operative Bootmakers' Society drawing aU.ention to an interview he had had with Messrs Suckling Bros., with the object of inducing that firm to work their factory under Union rules. He reported that Messrs Suckling Bros, had informed him that upon no consideration would they doso. Moreover, the Union log was not paid, and the number of boys was greatly in excess of the men employed. The hours of labour were longer than usual, and no overtime allowed. The letter waa held over for future consideration. A communication was received from the Belfast Uuion, regarding the alleged discbarge of members of the Society, and their places being filled by non-Union men. A deputation was appointed to interview the Directors, and endeavour to arrange the difficulty. Letters were received from Oamaru, Rangior*, Carriers' Union, Timaru, asking instructions upon various points of interest, and the Secretary was ordered to give the information sought. The Secretary of the Maritime Council wrote with regard to the federation of the whole of the Councils with his Association ; he stated that a complete scheme waa now in preparation, and would shortly be submitted to the Council for consideration. A communication was received from the aforesaid Council upon the question of having one day in the year as a Labour Demonstration Day throughout Now Zealand, and suggesting that Oct. 28 be the day set apart for the purpose, that being the day when the Maritime Council was formed. It was decided to adopt the suggestion, due notice and publicity to be given with the view of assisting in every possible way to make the occasion a success. The Secretary of the Wellington Tradea Council wrote, asking that assistance be given for the establishment of Societies embracing storeinen, saddlers, iron workers, &c, in Canterbury, also enclosing rules of these Societies respectively. The subject was held over, but in the meantime enquiries to be made and help given if required. Letters asking for affiliation were received from Oamaru and Timaru, and referred to the Committee to deal with. The Society of Carpenters and Joiners asked the aesistance of the Council at a meeting, advertised for June 25, of the building tradeß* operatives. Ib wa3 resolved that the Executive and other delegates be in attendance as requested. A communication from Mr J. W. Walker, Secretary of the Protection League, was received, and its consideration deferred . Also a letter from Mr W. Powell re the unemployed. The President reported upon the interview he had had with the master bakers of Christchurch and suburbs, stating that some of these employers were willing to conform to the rules of the Operative Bakers' Association. It was resolved that a list be printed, and the members of affiliated Societies requested to deal only with those upon it. The Secretary reported that circulars had been sent to all public bodies, such as County Councils, Koad Boards, &c, upon the subject of contracts allowing a fair rate of wages to the workmen. The Finance Committee's report, dealing with offices, large room for meetings, official services, finance, &c, was amended and adopted. The following motion, re early closing, was unanimously carried, and ordered to be inserted in the minutes : — "That this Council re-affirms the desirability of early closing of tradesmen's places of business, and, in furtherance of the movement, urges all Unionists to refrain from shopping after 6 p.m. on any d»y of the week, also to consistently support traders and others who are known to be in sympathy with the Early Closing Association." Several notice's of motion were given in for future debate, and after passing accounts and transacting other formal business, the Council adjourned until Saturday, July 5.