LABOUR QUESTION.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2790, 31 May 1890, Page 2

LABOUR QUESTION.

WELLINGTON TRAMWAY EMPLOYEES. [by telegraph.—press association.] Wellington, Last Night. Unlkss an understanding is arrived at between the tram employees and the owners, the dispute will probably end in a strike. The Trades and Labour Council have taken the matter in hand, and are trying to arrange it. The secretary ot the Federated Trades Council has written to the proprietors of the tramway regarding the increase of £1,103 iu wages (which the latter say would be involved by their acceptance of the rules of the tramway employees), and states that the Council considers that the tramway fares are needlessly low and that they might reasonably be increased n little. A deputation from the Council will probably wait on one of the proprietors to-morrow. There is still slight friction between the Woollen Company and the Trades Council owing to the directors refusing to re-instate two or three men who they claim have been discharged on distinctly personal grounds. The demand of the Marine Association that provision should be made by steamship owners for supplying their officers with refreshment at night is when officers have been working at cargo at night aud not when coming off duty as first mentioned. The steamship owners have written to the Association asking that as the circular contains very important demands they should be allowed six weeks to consider the matter. The Association is willing to grant an extension of time, but not for the period asked. Captain Highman, secretary of the Association, is confident of the matter being amicably arranged. ____________