Untitled

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5693, 28 June 1879, Page 2

Fkom the report published elsewhere of the meeting of foundry employes, held at the Central Hotel last night, _ it will be seen that the men, while carrying themselves respectfully in their demeanor towards their employers, are firm in their determination to resist the threatened reduction of wages. Their principal reason for this is, that when once wages are reduced, there is a great difficulty in having, them raised - again, even after the causes which led to the reduction ho longer exist. The men appear to fully recognise the fact that their employers have met with reverses which have rendered it necessary for them to retrench, and a feeling of sympathy appeared to be pretty generally manifested last night, the men being quite willing to work' for shorter hours while the present depression in ..trade continues. This, they think, would meet the case, while it left the rate of wages as at present, and would not debar the masters from employing them for full hours when busier times return. A deputation was appointed to wait upon the masters to lay this view before them, and the meeting was adjourned to await the report of the deputation, the men having expressed their willingness to go to work quietly while negotiations are pending. The employees are to be congratulated upon the temperate tone which they last night adopted, strikes being deprecated as an evil, and a hearty desire being shown to avoid them!'