Trade Affairs

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 161, 17 July 1886, Page 5

Trade Affairs

The Sydney brickmakers who have struck work for the eight-houts system mot, to the number of about fivo hundred, at the St. Peter's Town Hall. They formed themselves into a procession, and, headed by Mr J. Cook, general secretary of the Brickmakers' Union, visited several of the most important yards in the district. It appears that eleven masters so far have acceded to the demands of the men, and the procession comprised representatives of no fewer than twenty-two yards, which had been refused their demands. The route the procession took was through St. Peter's in to Newtown, thence to Marrickville, and it was very orderly throughout. When passing Mr Trabbict's dwelling-house, and again when opposite the works of Messrs Trabitt and Draper, who have conceded the eight-hcmi's.' system, the men gave vent to their feelings by cheering lustily. Labourers. Aspecial meeting ot the Wharf Labourers' Union was held in St. Bridget's Hall, Sydney. The secretary of the Brisbane Wharf Labourers' Union wrote, conveying to the Sydney Union a hearty vote of thanks on behalf his executive officers and the members of his society for the way this society had acted toward it when in trouble, and assuring the Sydney Union that it might rely upon the Brisbane Union to asaiet it in any difficulties that might arise in the future. He added that the dispute in Brisbane did not last long, for when the decision of his society had been made known its demands were acceded to. Speaking of the future he did not think they would have any more trouble. The same person applied for additional information concerning the proposed conference on the eubject of the federation of the wharf-labourers' organisations in the various colonies. The Brisbane men were in favour of the establishment of a Maritime Council, in which all the societies interested in the shipping trade should be represented. The information desired was ordered to be sent. British Items. The miners employed in the Furness mines of the Barrow Hematite Steel Company have struck work against an addition of two hours to the working day. The men offered to accepts per cent reduction, but the ofl'er was refused. It is expected that this strike will spread to other districts, as the question involves a breach of the working rules of the union. Several hundred hands are affected, —The Kidsgrove and Hare caatle Coal and Iron Works in the [North Staffordshire district are to oe closed, as the miners refused to accept a reduction of 10 per cent, demanded by the proprietors, The depressed state of foreign iron importa tions are given as a reason for this step, which affvets about 1,500 men. A Board of Conciliation. The eub-eonwitte from the conference between the Victorian Employers' Union and the Melbourne Trades Hall Council appointed to formulate the basis of the constitution of a permanent board of conciliation for the settlement of trade disputes, has completed a draft constitution, which, with the rules and by-laws, will be shortly submitted to the- full board.