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Te Aroha News, Volume VIII, Issue 485, 2 July 1890, Page 3

O’Donovan Rossa’s twenty years of banishment from Ireland will expire next year, and he will then make a visit to his native land.

Dr. Grace writes to the Wellington newspapers, offering to sell the tramways to the Union at a reasonable price. His contention all along has been that the business has never paid, and at an interview with the delegates he jocularly offered to “ toss them up for the lot.” In a letter to the “Post” Dr. Grace says:—“The Union shall hear no more from us, as we are now bound in honour and conscience to our non-unionist hands. We have behaved with absolute candour and straightforwardness to the Union during the whole negotiation, and know that we have earned the sympathy of many formerly hostile to us. We shall labour to extend the circle of our sympathisers, and shall, we trust, always behave honourably and fearlessly. There is plenty of room for two parties in this young colony., We desire merely iull enjoyment of our privileges as citizens, and if we are deprived of this, wo shall emigrate, as hundreds of others have done from want of practical sympathy and support.”

Yes ! It is certainly true. Ask any of your friends who have purchased there. Garlick and Cranwell have numerous uncsked for and very favourable commendations from country customers on their excellent packing of Furniture, Crockery, and Glass, &c. Ladies and gentlemen about to furnish should remember that Garlick and Cranwell’s is the Cheap Furnishing Warehouse of Aucklaivi. Furniture to suit all classes ; also Carpets, Floor Cloths and all Houbo Necesearies. If your new house is nearly finished, or you are going to get married, visit Garlick and Cranwell, Queen-street and Lorne-otroet, Auckland. Intending purohaiM®“«an have % qaWoouq «©b6 km,

DEPUTATION TO THE COMMISSIONERS. EIGHT HOURS REFUSED. LARGE STRIKE FEARED. Wellington, June 22. The interview between the Railway Commissioners and the Railway Servants’ Delegates was resumed at 3 o’clock on Saturday afternoon. Mr Hoban said he was sorry that they could not come to an understanding on the question of hours of labour, for if tho Society resorted to extreme measures, no one could foretell where it svould end. The men were determined to hold out for the eight hours’ system, and instead of costing the country £'30,000 or £40,000, it might ultimately cost much more than £IOO,OOO. He thought it was extremely unfortunate that over a dispute as to the hours per day, the Commissioners should force the men to extreme measures. If tho Commissioners would not concede eight hours, the delegates were only wasting time in arguing tho point, and although he regretted very much to have to say it, he must warn the Commissioners that the men were strongly supported, and if the Executive decided to adopt extreme measures he could unhesitatingly say that they would have the sympathy and support of the public of New Zealand as well as those of the House of Representatives. Commenting on tho replios given by the Commissioners, Mr Hoban said that whilst they had given a few small concessions, their replies on the whole were not what the delegates expected. He suggested that the Commissioners should allow the matter to be considered by a Board of Arbitrators, for as things were at present the Commissioners held the position ol judges and jury. In conclusion lie urged the Commissioners to agree to the suggestion and save the country the cost of extreme measures.

Mr Owen reminded the Commissioners that the Executive had three of the largest labour bodies in New Zealand at their backs, and if the delegates dared to agree to the Commissioners’ offer of sixty hours per week they would be looked upon as backsliders.

Mr Winter said that the Railway Employees' Society was a union body, and claimed to be recognised as such, if the delegates accepted the Commissioners’ proposition they would be acting in direct opposition to all labour organisations. Perhaps tho Commissioners thought the executive was afraid to adopt extreme measures, but he could assure them that if the demand for eight hours per day or fortyeight hours per week were not granted, active steps would be taken at once. The Executive would be urged on and supported by that powerful body—the Maritime Council.

Mr McKerrow protested that the Commissioners were entirely in accord with the eight hours system, but they discriminated between eight hours’ continuous and eight hours’ intermittent labour. He was pleased that the delegates had expressed themselves so freely, but he must remind them that the Commissioners had been entrusted by the country with the control of the Government property, and he did not think they could accept the responsibility of adding so much to the taxation of the country, and that was really what the demands of the Executive amounted to. The Commissioners could not go further than they had mentioned in their replies, and the concessions which they had already made would add several thousands to tho expenditure of the country. He considered the Commissioners had gone a long way towards meeting the Executive, and ho thought that the members of that body, as j-easonable men, would be able to see the great ditleronce between, continuous and intermittent labour.

Mr Hoban : Then you absolutely decline to allow eight hours per day or 48 per week intermittent work ?

Mr McKerrow : Certainly. Mr Hoban: Will you agree to refer the question to arbitration V Mr McKerrow : I think not. We have the responsibility and duty of managing the railways, and I think to refer the matter to arbitration would be to shirk our duty. Settlers are now crying out for reduction in freights, and I really do not see that we can fall in with all your suggestions. We have been trying to hold the balance between our employees and the settlers as fairly as possible. Mr Hoban pointed out that it was the employees who were in a great degree entitled to credit for tho large surplus which was shown last year. After further discussion, Mr Hoban said the Commissioners would have to take the consequences of their action, for he (Mr Hoban) had no doubt what the next stop of the Executive would be ; in fact, everything had been arranged, and they would soon be able to judge whether the Commissioners could stand the expense of blocking tho trade of the country.

Mr Owen said he deplored such a step, but at present he saw no way of avoiding it. Mr Hoban : Finally, are we to understand that you refuse to agree to arbitration ? MrMoKerrow: I explained that it was beyond our power to do so. We ourselves are the arbitrators. Wohave been appointed by Parliament, and if there are to be other arbitrators, and they decided against you, you have the threat of extreme measures in your pockets. Mr Hoban : Pardon me, I say, submit the question to arbitration, and if the arbitrators decide that ten hours’work on the part of the men is compatible with tho interests of the colony, we will stand by the decision.

Mr Winter remarked that in the whole House he did not believe there were three men who would oppose an extra grant for railways if it were needed. Mr Owen remarked that ten hours was so much ahead of the number of working hours in the colony that he was surprised at tho Commissioners insisting on it. Even at Home, the ten hours system was being swept away. Mr Hoban : Well, it is just a question of who will last longest, for the men are determined to fight to the bitter end. Further discussion took place on the piecework system and the employment of cadets, and ultimately the Commissioners fell in with the propositions advanced by Executive on both these questions. Mr Hoban then said be presumed the whole programme of the executive had been adopted with the exception of the hours of labour. Mr McKerrow said that was bo.

Mr Hoban regretted after so pleasant an interview that the delegates should leave in part hostile to the Commissioners. Mr McKerrow thought hostile was scarcely an applicable term, for after all it was merely a difference of opinion regarding the hours of labour. Mr Winter was very anxious that the matter should be arranged amicably, for they were not desirous of returning to Christchurch with an unfavourable report. Tho delegates were now willing to meet the Commissioners half-way, and would be agreeable to 54 hours per week, inclusive of the concessions already mentioned. Mr Owen strongly urged the Commissioners to accept this latter proposal, for the Executive did not wish to adopt extreme measures, except as a last resource. He

implored the Commissioners to agree to 54 hours, and thus refrain from driving tho men out on strike. Mr McKerrow said tho Commissioners would requiro a few days to consider tho offer, and calculate what effect it would have on the railway finances. They might be prepared with a reply on Wednesday. The delegates said in that case they would have to wait and receive the reply, for they had determined nob to return to Christchurch with a hostile report until every prospect of amicable settlement had failed. The conference adjourned at ten minutes to five. It was the intention of the delegates to leave by to-morrow’s steamer, but the turn affairs have taken has necessitated an alteration in their plane.