AUCKLAND NEWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1451, 11 May 1905, Page 4

AUCKLAND NEWS.

’(E®e Presis Ausoclatlon.) Auckland, last night.

The Counoil of the Chamber of Commerce has resolved to take action in regard to the Shops and Offices Act by convening a meeting of eaoh section of trade, eaoh section to appoint two delegates to a public meeting to be held to consider the operation of the Act. The Counoil also appointed a committee to confer with the delegates. Tke Auckland branch of the Independent Labor League resolved to call the attention of the Premier to the increasing delays in hearing disputes and giving awards by the Arbitration Court, asking to have one Court for each island, and that Magistrates have power to deal with broaches .of the awards.

Tbe Hon. Hall-Jones arrived last even*irg after a visit of inspection to the Main Trunk line. Ho leaves in a day or two on a visit to tbe Helensville-northward lino. Interviewed, he stated that he intends asking Parliament for a much largor sum for the railways of the oolony daring the appreaching session. The Minister for Public Works, interviewed, Btated that the present gap in the main trunk line was 40 miles, which he hoped would be bridged in three years, provided he obtained the increased vote for which he would ask. The time had arrived When the order should be full steam ahead, provided tbe ' men be economically employed. All the bridge material was now ready. He had fixed the route of the Stratford connection via Huiroa, three routes being previously suggested. Judge Chapman's decision in the Arbitration Court, dismissing the cooks and stewards’ dispute on the ground that a second ballot confirming a resolution on tbe file, was held the as the first meeting, has caused a sensation in local croles. The decisiou affects the whole oolony, and it is alleged that nearly all the existing awards are based on the same defects. Similar objection was raised in the butchers’ dispute. Mr Eosser, the workers’ secretary, said the same proceeding had been followed: since the Court was established. It was_a .danger to the employes. He asked that the decision be retrospective. The .unionists were not all patient lambs. There had been talk of cancelling the registration and going on strike. Judge Chapman said he hoped the unions had more sense. He deferred final decision till Friday. . The Premier,, replying , to .an Auckland communication re tbe Shops Act, wired : “Bo some shops, fruiterers especially, I think tbeee shops and others, viz., chemists, laundresses, and confectioners, should be allowed to remain open later t aan 6 o’clock. It is a wise polioy, howe .’er, to have a reasonable compliance with 0 ie law.”