WORK AND WAGES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6887, 24 June 1890, Page 3

WORK AND WAGES.

More Pay and Shorter Hours. !«_ klboirio aRLBaRAPH.— ooprEiaHT.; [Special to Press As.ooiation.] BERLIN, J-_te 23. The Emperor, in addressing th< workmen at Krupp' a manufactory al Essen, in Khenish Prussia, announced that he intended to persevere witl hia labour policy. [Beoeived June 24, at noon.] LONDON, Jnu_ 23. The Metropolitan firemen demand an increase of pay and shorter hours, and the establishment of a pension system. [FBOM OUB SPECIAL COBBESPOSOBNT.] WELLINGTON, June 23. Captain High man had an interview to-day with the Hon George M'Lean, which I dare awear would have been enjoyable to anyone lucky enough to be present; but as no one was present no one enjoyed it, except perhaps Captain Highman himself. It has transpired that the genial Managing Director of the Union Company declared that the proposed changes would make a difference of £10,300 a year to hiß Company. The other Bide reply that when dividends are paid there should not be any overworking.; it is a question, according to them, not so much of money as of safety. [Pkb Pbbss Association.] AUCKLAND, June 23. The early closing movement is making considerable headway. Thelatest adherents to the cause are thirteen tailoring firms, who have resolved to close their premises on future Saturdays at 2 p.m. The boiler-makers, engineers, brass and iron-founders and plate iron-workers have expressed their intention of joining the recently-formed Ironworkers' Association, which now comprises principally blacksmiths and farriers. A Committee of the Association is to discuss the question with them. It is hoped that the coach-builders will also become members. At a meeting of the Auckland branch of the Society of Carpenters and Joiners, it was resolved to form a Union. Complaint was made of the low wages paid in the trade, one of the causes being the undercutting of non-Union men. A large number of workmen have joined the Society. WELLINGTON, June 23. The Conference of steamship owners and the Marine Officers' Association will not take place until the arrival of the representatives of the Northern Company from Auckland. The Hon George M'Lean, Chairman of Directors of the Union Company, states that acceptance of the terms set out in the manifesto of the Association, would involve an increased annual expenditure of £10,300 by the Union Company. DUNEDIN, June 23. At a meeting of the Tramway Employees' Union it was decided to make a levy of Is in the pound on the week's wages, and send the proceeds to the Wellington tramway men on strike; further contributions to be sent, if necessary. At a meeting of the Metal-workers' Union, it was resolved to make forty-four hours a week's work. A Butchers and Slaughtermen's Union was formed to-night, with a membership of over one hundred. The Otago Daily Times reports: — The dispute in Christchuroh between- the Typo-graphical.-Asso-i-tiori and Messrs Whitcombe and Tombs, occasioned through the action of the latter in employing nonunion men and female labour in place of union men, has been referred to the Maritime Labour Council, and the latter body bas written to the firm requesting to be supplied with a statement as to the cause of the dispute. A reply has been received that the firm's Directors will consider the request at their meeting to-day. Steps are about to be taken to . form branches of the New Zealand Woollen Employees' Union at Mosgiel (Moßgiel Woollen Company), and Eoslyn (Messrs Eoss and Glendining). . It is. understood that the Directors of the two Companies will be approached on the subject this week. There are about five hundred employees engaged in the mills. Branches of the Amalgamated Miners' and Labourers' Association of Australia will shortly be organised at Nenthorn and other goldmining centres in Otago. In New Zealand there are already close on 2700 members in the Association.