THE DISPUTE IN THE TOBACCO TRADE.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 95, 28 March 1885, Page 3

THE DISPUTE IN THE TOBACCO TRADE.

Auckland, March 25. The dispute between the Auckland Tobacco Company and the cigar-makers shows no sign of settlement. The directors of the Company, at a meeting yesterday, endorsed the action of the manager, Mr A. Walsh. It was stated that the wages offered to the men are better than they can obtain in New South Wales. For manufacturing the commonest kind of cigar Mr Walsh offered them 30s per thousand, 27s 6d being the ruling wage in Australia. Mr Walsh denies that fthere has been much broken time. Only the usual holidays have been given, and the stoppage at stock-taking was two days. For one of these days the Company paid each of the men 10s, though they did not work for it. Mr Walsh denies that any of- the girls have struck. Nearly all the girls employed by the Company are apprentices, who commence as learners at 5s per week. The cigar- makers on strike wish to deny the statements of Mr Walsh relative to the points in dispute. They allege that they had abandoned all claim to overtime, and had declared their willingness to work at the former hours at 12£ per cent, reduction, which terms were refused. No cigarmaker ever made more than £3 12s a week in the factory here, the average wage being £2 10s, while some weeks they earned aa little as £1 8a and £1 12s A cigarettemaker did once earn £5 a week, but that does not concern them. As to the assertion that the reduction was proposed because of special contract, the men say that they heard of some particular work which certain of their number were to do, but the notice of reduction extended to others. The foreman, who got notice to leave, has been retained in the employment of the Company. In addition to two of the discharged cigaimakers leaving for Sydney yesterday, 'we are informed that two others leave for Melbourne tomorrow; and if an arrangement is not speedily arrived at, the whole of the hands will have left the colony.

The "Sydney Sportsman" of Wednesday last says the admirers of the New Zealand champion, Welcome Jack, will hear with regret that he seriously injured his shoulder while at exercise, and it is doubtful if he will be seen at his best for some time to come. Welcome Jack has been struck out of bath the Sydney CtapwidHawteburv > Attfaptro Handle^ ' *