WORK AND WAGES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 175, 17 August 1909, Page 2

WORK AND WAGES.

STRIKE AT OTIRA. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Oreyniouth, Monday. News is to hand from Otirn that all work is at a standstill there to-day. It appears that Mr. McLean, one of the contractors, demands from each -man a deposit of 10s' Od for lamps. The men objected to the decision, which -was onforced last night. Whe n the shift went for the lamps they were Tefused till the deposit was made. The mien then returned to their huts. The same thing occurred -with the day shift, and is likely to happen to the afternoon shift.

Otira is quiet. The men agreed to this course at a meeting which was attended by 120, and contend that as they are ready to go to work a lock-out exists. Mr. McLean is absent in Auckland. .

WATERSIDE WORKERS'■ CONFERENCE. ( Wellington, Monday. The Waterside Workers' Conference opened to-day. Complaint was made at the delay in calling the delegates together. Mr. D. McLaren, M.P., said he was prepared to admit that errors had been made, but errors would always be made in the running of a. combination of any bodies. At the same time errors had been made by unions. In June he was overloaded with work and fell into arrears, which no secretary should. lie became unwell; further, there was an absence of unanimity. On the motion of Mr. Jackson ((Ireyinoulli) and Mr. MeCann (Wellington)' the explanation of the general secretary was accepted. After discussion the motion was carried with one dissentient. Wellington, Last Niolit. 'Hie Waterside Workers' Conference resolved that the attention of the Goyernment be drawn to the inferior lighting of holds of ships working coal "and timber. A remit urging an amendment of the llarbo,. Boards Act so that all I work on wharves shall cense between j the hours of 10 ,p.m. and 7 a.m. n„ five days of the week and noon o-n Saturdays was rejected.