LABOUR MATTERS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 106, 2 May 1903, Page 3

LABOUR MATTERS.

PBB PBXSS ASSOCIATION. Melboubhe, May 1, Despite the secrecy of the railway men's meetings, it is alleged to be morally certain they will nfuse to comply with the Government ultimatum. Another statement is that the men will suggest to tbe Commissioner that instead of dealing with the whole of the executive officers of tie societies, one only be dismissed and treated as a test case. • The members of the railway societies have been notified that a levy will be made next piy day. It is probably intended ooly t ••> meat legal expanses. An ominous sign is that the Government has notified a number of pensioned engine drivers to held themselves in readiness for duty. The strike continues at the Outtrim Colliery, and work is proceeding by non-unionistP. At the Jumbunna Mine the unionists induced most of those who took their p'.aces to leave work. Assistance to strikers includes a New Zaa'aud contribution. Sydney, M»y 1. At a meeting of Homagers, the majority of the Newcastle oo'leries agreed to reduce the selling price of coal to 10s, and the hewing rate to 3s lOd. Notices to ths effect that the reduction will be enforced at the end of a fortnight will be posted in fifteen pits today. Four largest collieries, the Newcasie and Newcis le Wallsend Companies, J. A. Browo, and A. A. Compiny stand out of the agreement It is probable the miners wilt appeal to the Arbitration Court, on the ground that there is nolegi'imate trade necessity for reductions, la the meantime it is possible a c inference will ba arranged between the owners and the men to discuss tha situation. The Labour Council adopted a motion of sympathy with the Victorian railway men, and urged them not to back down. The Australian Workers' Union manifesto leav«s the shearing rates unchanged. Action to secure an award of tha Arbitration Court for settlement of the difficulty with tbe Pastoralis s' Union is foreshadowed. Received 2, 019 a.ra. Melbocbnk, May 1. The executive of the Locomotive Engine Drivers and Firemen's Asso- *- elation this afternoon forwaidel a letter to the Railway Commissioner in reply to au order to sever their connection with the .Trades Hall, or resign from tho Association, s'ating that as officore of the A siuition, th?y have no power to comply with the demand, and that it was for the Association and not for its executive officers to decide whether any del-gate shall be sent to the Trades Hall Council. "What you ask us to do is impossible." The letter goes on to state that "as far as * the second alternative is concerned it raises tha question of our right as free men to dispose of our time whea off duty. If we are under obligation to resign our positions in the Association because you tell us to, wo shall have to resign our offices in any benefit lodge or other bodies at your bidding. The Government has deprived us of our political privileges, and we deny you have any right to deprive us of our civil privilege?. We are ready and to obey all your lawful orders and all your lawful regulations. The question ultimately resolves itself into this: Have we, by refusing to resign, j as members of the executive of this association, under the circumstances infringed any lawful regulatiots for ord^r?' Unless the Government backs down, of which at prefent there is no sign, a railway lick-out appears i-evitable. The executive officers of the Daily Paid Employees Associati n have also replied, absolutely declining to comply with the Commissioners ultimatum, which they declare to be illegal and arbitrary. Received 2, 1 20 a.m. Sydne/, May 1. Notices of reduction have b>>ea duly post el at rhe Newcastle col'ieries. A meeting of the m n will be held tomorrow to discuss the situation.