WORK AND WAGES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 320, 9 July 1912, Page 5

WORK AND WAGES.

THE LAST STRAW. By Telegraph —Press Association. Dunedin, Last Night. In conversation with a reporter a wellknown Dunedin coal mine proprietor, referring to the remarks made by some speakers at the meeting of the Kaitangata miners on Friday, said that it was quite possible for the miners allied to the Federation of Labor to bring about conditions of affairs that might startle even themselves. He stated thatthe coal mine owners were now a federated body throughout the Dominion, and they were getting absolutely tired of the everlasting unrest that was prevailing amongst the workers in various coal mines and the continued threats of the Labor leaders. Rather than stand much more in this direction the owners would ultimately take the bull by the horns and close down every mine in the Dominion until such time as reason prevailed and work could be carried on with ;some degree of security. He continued , that while members of the, federation ! were free to strike, since they were not now registered under the Arbitration Act | the employers also, if they deemed fit, [ were just as free to lock out. It was I quite on the cards, therefore, that the [ Federation of Workers, instead of I bringing about a local strike might have to face a general lock-out.

THE FLAX-WORKERS' UNION. Palmerston N., Last Night. At a special meeting of the FlaxWorkers Union, held at Tokomarn, it was decided not to nnke a levy in aid of the Waihi -or Reefton miner? as desired by the Federation of Labor, but to send subscription lists, to the mills instead. The federation had held that a levy was made automatically, because the flax-workers were affiliated to it, but they would not accept this view. At the general meeting, to be held on July 27. the application of a motion to cut away from the federation, as the dairv workers have done, will be con- ! sidered. |