LABOR LAWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1689, 5 March 1906, Page 4

LABOR LAWS.

MINERS' DEMANDS. (Per Press Association.) Westport, last night. At the Westland Trades aad Labor (Joanoil’a meeting yesterday resolutions were passed &s follows (1) That after ihe word "miners ” in the fourth line of seotion 55 of the Goal Mines Act, 1891, tho following words be added, “ end the workmen’s inspectors," making provision that these inspeolo.s be notified of accidents ; (2) That workmen’s ineptotns be permitted to visit the soene of an acoideut immediately the acoident occurs ; (3) That the following paragraph be added to eeotion 60 of tho Coal Minei Act, 1905, 11 inspector or other authorised person making the examination shall give notioe

to workmen’s inspeolo.s of the lime be will visit the mine, and such workmen’s inspectors shall bo permitted to accompany the inspector or other authorised person on suoh visit, and shall report the result of such inspection ” ; (4) That all Sunday work in or about a mine be paid or at the rate of double ordinary time, and that overtime be paid for at the rate of time and and a half (the delegates said they must go direct to the 1 gislature for these concessions, as the Arbitration Court ignored the men’s demands by failing to make an award); (5) that the hours of labor in coal mines be not more than eight hours from surface to surfaoein any one shift.

The question of the Granity Coal Miners’ Union entering into an industrial agreement with the Wesiport Coal Company under which the eight hours 11 bank to bank’’ clause was ignored was discussed at considerable length by the Council. The Granity delegate?, in explaining (he action of their union, said the union at the time the agreemont was entered into was under the impression that the conditions under the agreement in reference to the hours of labor in mines were more favorable than those provided under the bank to bank clause. They had sinoe found out that they were mistaken, and would welcome au opportunity of working under the clause. Blenheim, last night. The Arbitration Court, Mr Justice Chapman presiding, sat here yesterday, and completed its business in 40 minute?, its shorlest sitting on record. J. McK'nlay, builder, wai fiaed jE'2 for employing a man at less than the award wage, and £2 for under payiog another workman. John Fawcett, builder, was also fiaed £2 for under paying. A charge against the sane defendant for not giving preference to a unionist was dismissed.