WORK AND WAGES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10103, 15 March 1911, Page 1

WORK AND WAGES.

CASUAL RAILWAY HANDS STRIKE. United Press Association—By Electoio Telegraph—Copyright. . SYDNEY. March 14. The strike was declared off late this afternoon, the men's demands being conceded. The wharf labourers then declined to work, and it remained a broken day, operations being suspended till the morning. The demands granted were an increase from 7s 6d to 8s a day of .eight hours, and an increase from Is to Is 6d an hour for overtime. The men have been restless for an increase since a fortnight ago one of their number was killed, and they have been using this as an argument of the danger of working electrio capstans, which replace shunting engines. All the strikers were nonunionists.

BROKEN HILL ENGINE-DRIVERS. SYDNEY, March 14.. The Broken Hill engine-drivers and firemen at a meeting decided by a show of hands to adopt drastic measures unless ono of the drivers, who was dismissed, should be reinstated. An amendment for a secret ballot was afterwards carried. This was taken, and resulted in a reversal of the open vote.

THE IMPLEMENT WORKERS' STRIKE. MELBOURNE, March 14. The implement strikers are dissatisfied with the manner In which unions are' responding to their appeal for financial assistance. It is stated that many unions .had not contributed.

[From Our Correspondent.] WELLINGTON, March 14. A reserved judgment of interest to employers and assistants was given by Mr W: Gt. -Riddell, S.M., to-day. It was a. test case brought by the Inspector of Factories, Mr A. E. Lecren, against James Rod and Co., butchers, charging defendants with a breach of the Shops and Offices Act, in that .they employed an assistant more than nine hours, excluding meal times, on more than one working daj r in each week. The facts were admitted. Defendant was convicted and fined 5s with court costs. Security for appeal was fixed at £7 7s. Pending the result of an appeal, cases against the following are held over:—E. Barber and Co., Garrett and Co., Gear Meat Company and Waingawa Meat Company. GREYMOUTH, March 14.

At a meeting of the Inangahua Miners' Union, the following resolution was passed:—'' That this general meeting of the Inangahua Minors' Union emphatically protests against the two Labour representatives to represent Labour on the Royal Commission set up to inquire into the sanitation and ventilation of tho mines, and that the secretary be instructed to wire to the Minister for Mines, asking that their appointment lie cancelled and that the two representatives as recommended by the Federation of Labour (Messrs Dowgray and Parry) be appointed in their stead; further, that failing propor representation being given us. the members of the Union refrain from ( giving evidence on the said Commission."