TRADES AND LABOUR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2817, 4 March 1908, Page 27

TRADES AND LABOUR.

SHIPBUILDERS' STRIKE. LONDON, February 25. A provisional settlement has been reached in connection with the engineers' dispute, and it will be submitted to a ballot of the men.\ February 28. The engineers on the nortih-east ooast have begun the ballot proposal to resume work on the basis of no change, if there is to be any, before Easter, arid that the case for and against a reduction of a shilling a week shall be submitted to a referee. . OBJECTION TO NON-UNIONISTS. SYDNEY, February 28. The 7 ironworkers' assistants at Mort's Dock have struck against the employment of five non-unionists. A MINING STRIKE. PERTH, February 29. There is a strike among Cardiff coal miners owing to the refusal of the owners to pay an increase in accordance with the agreement last year. One hundred and twenty men are idle. UNSATISFACTORY STATE OF AFFAIRS. SYDNEY, March 2. Mr J. M'Gowen, Leader of the Opposition party in the State Parliament, declared that New South Wales was just or the verge of turmoil. He hoped that when Parliament assembled it would consider the arbitration question, and that members, would forget party and go altogether for the people. The difficulties could only be overcome by Parliament properly exercising the responsibility that the units had given it to keep industrial peace. DOCK STRIKE ENDED. SYDNEY, March 2. Tjhe strike at Mort's Dock, which originated through the men taking exception to the employment of five non-unionists, has been settled, and work has been resumed. ~ The non-unionists over whom the trouble occured have not been Te-engaged, but it it is understood that two of them wil 1 Join the union. INDUSTRIAL CONFERENCE. INVEROARGILL, February 28. A conference between Southland eawmillownera and the Workers wa§ held to-day.

February 28.

The worke-rs wanted practically all-round increases in wages. At present more thai). 50 per cent, of the men are getting more than the a war a minimum, which w&a taken ac showing that the demand for men Is greater than the supply. The men argtie that an increase in the number of available men will result in a decrease to the minimum rate; therefore, they sought an increase of the minimum now ruling. The employers are agreeable to make- certain increases, provided the men agree to compensating decreases. The conference was amicable, but abortive, and matters remain as they are. Meantime, it remains for the union to decide whether to go to the Arbitration Court again.