WORK AND WAGES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10298, 1 November 1911, Page 3

WORK AND WAGES.

BRITISH RAILWAY MEN. United Press Association—'By EJecSrio Telegraph—Copyright. ("Received November 1. 10 a.m.) LONDON, October 31. Tlie London and North-western Company has increased tho wages and reduced tho hours of its men, involving an increased expenditure of £BO,OOO annually. MOUNT ~LYE LL STRIKE. (Received November 1, 10.40 a.m.) MELBOURNE, November 1. The Mount Lyell directors have posted notices intimating that they distinctly decline to reinstate White. If tho men choose to declare the strike off they will be re-engaged as required. THE SYDNEY STRIKE. SYDNEY, November 1. It is expected that the wharf labourers will decide to resume at tonight s meeting. It is stated that they had not fully realised tlie legal aspect when they struck. MELBOURNE, November 1. In reply to questions in the Federal House, Mr Hughes declared that ho could not prosecute the Sydney strikers as the trouble wa3 confined to ono State. THE LABOUR SITUATION. [Pun Press Association.] AUCKLAND, November 1. Mr Seniple, organiser of the Labour Federation, in an interview, said that the talk or a general industrial upheaval being fostered by the New Zealand Federation of Labour is all empty gossip. Trouble is not likely to eventuate unless forced upon tho organisation. Most of the federated unions were working amicably under the agreements arrived at round an open table. In the coal industry matters were going smoothly, and no difficulty was likely to arise for some time, at locust. The Auckland tramway employees would have the support of the federation in obtaining their n6w .demands, but no trouble was contemplated, because the demand;? made were reasonable. Mr Semple added that he bad a thorough knowledge of the conditions throughout New Zealand from an industrial standpoint, and could say that no serious trouble was imminent. _ While tho labour strike is _in progress two local bodies have decided, for financial reasons, to curtail expenditure on street works. These bodies have reinstated only some of the men they employed previous to the strike. The Union now asserts that there has been discrimination in favour of a few men, and calls upon the local bodies for an explanation. It threatens, if not satisfied, that it will call out tho men employed and, if necessary, extend the strike. AUCKLAND"TRAMWAY MEN. [Per Press Association*] AUCKLAND, November 1. It is understood that the Tramway Employees' Union has formulated demands for an increase in wages and amendments of the gra,ding' system. It is expected that the Union will give the company one month to consider them. It is understood that the conductors who now work in four grades, and are paid lOjd to Is per hoair in those grades, will seek to have the grades reduced to three and the wages increased to Is, Is Id, and Is 2d per hour in tho respective grades. With regard to the motormen, who also work in four grades, and are paid Is to Is Hd per hour, the demand will be for a reduction of tho grades to two and an increase of wages to Is 2d to Is 3d per hour. A slight increase all round on a similar basis will bo included in the other demands. THE PLASTERERS' DISPUTE. [Pee Prkss Association.] WELLINGTON, November 1. In connection with the plasterers' dispute the secretary of the Builders and Contractors' Association stated that it was difficult to understand why the men actually in work were prepared to throw up Is 7dan hour. The secretary of the Union explains that tho reason is that tho Union has applications for six men for eight months' work at 2s an hour and ono for three months at £5 a week, wot or dry. The award states that the minimum rate of wages shall bo la 7d an_ hour, and in every case the employers in Wellington make the minimum the maximum. Although the minimum rate_ here is above that in Auckland, Ghristchurch and Dunedin, the employers in those cities have never made the minimum tlie maximum rate.

THE COASTAL OFFICERS. [Feb Phess Association.] WELLINGTON, November 1. It is understood, that a proposal lias been made by the Merchant Service Guild to tlio Shipowners' Federation for a settlement of the dispute. It is suggested that the owners should, accept a reduction of hours, with a monthly wagos minimum of £l6 or £l7 par month; first mats £l3 or £l4; second mates, according to vessel and trade; minimum £l7 or £lB for single mates; the Guild, will waive the question of overtime. [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, November 1. Mr G. G. Farland, assistant secretary to the Waterside Workers' Union, which has decided to, join tho New Zealand Federation of _ Labour, says that the workers recognised that the Arbitration Court was no longer of any value to them; they had. no confidence in it. Ho predicted that the wavering unions would now join tho Federation. Mr T. Smith, secretary of the Union,,; said that the majority in favour of federation were discontented men who did not get much of the work offering. He and every member oi tho executive except Mr Farland were opposed to joining tlio Federation, and tho prostdHiit, sec-rotary and treasurer intended to resign office. PALMERSfON NORTH, Nov 1. The officials of tbo Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants in Palmerston give an emphatic denial to the statement published this morning that they intend to strike. They do not deny that great dissatisfaction exists, and. that thoy contemplate some action, but tho local secretary says " Whatever we do wo want the public's sympathy, and not its condemnation. Question of striking has jiot even been mooted."