TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 May 1922, Page 4

TELEGRAMS.

.(iv ri:i,EoitAcu —cun ee.khh association TRADE AYJTH AUSTRALIA. HON. DOWNJE STEWART’S STATEMENT. AUCKLAND May 2. The tariff' negotiations between New Zealand and Ausiralia were the subject of a statement by the Hon. Downie Stewart on his arrival fro in Sydney. He said he could not make any forecast as to how far the agreement made would prove satisfactory to New Zealand Parliament or the Australian Parliament. It laid to be remembered that two previous agreements had failed to secure ratification. The present agreement was, however, on a much more elaborate scale than anything hitherto attempted. Apart altogether from what was decided upon certain further proposals wjere made by the Commonwealth Government, of a farreaching nature,.which ho promised to submit to his colleagues for their consideration. These involved issues which had not been considered before ho left Now Zealand, and he therefore did not fool warranted in taking action regarding them. While avoiding any reference to the terms of the proposed treaty, the Minister said that ariangoments had boon made whereby goods of British origin in transit through either country, or ie-expiirted from either country, censed to he subjected to an extreme tariff. It had been contended to operate as from May I hut he has not yet heard w! ether the necessary steps had been taken in .Melbourne and Wellington. As to the remainder of the tariff proposals said the Minister, if this tentative agreement was allowed, it should help to restore the volume of trade to sometiling approaching that ruling prior to to recent revision of tlie tariff ill both countries. , P. ANDT. MEN. WELLINGTON, May 2. The general meeting of delegates from the various sections, called to discuss the refusal of the Government to allow the Post and Telegraph Officers’ Association to carry out their decision to affiliate with the Alliance of Labour, will be held in AVellington on Friday.

A NOTH ER WAGE CUT. FOR UNION COMPANY OFFICERS. WELLINGTON, May 2. The Union Steam Ship Company lias cited the Merchant Service Guild, under the Arbitration Act, seeking a reduction of the officers’ present rates of pay by approximately 20 per cent. The Company also seek a variation of the working conditions. There were negotiations recently, whereimder the Company offered to eontilien the wages at present ruling, provided the officers agreed to modification bf working conditions. These proved futile.

It is .understood the Guild desires to maintain the principle of the eight hour day, whereas the Company seeks to revert to a fIG-hoiirs week as previously operating.