LABOR MATTERS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 145, 6 November 1912, Page 5

LABOR MATTERS.

EIGHT HOURS DAY. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Sydney, November 5. At the eight-hour demonstration at Newcastle, after strong speeches, intermingled with cries of "Turn them out!" a resolution was adopted condemning the Government for not introducing an Eight Hours Bill. Mr. Beeby, Minister for Public Works, defended the Government, and announced that a Bill would be introduced at the earliest possible moment. Peter Bowling, referring to the trouble in the southern collieries over tffe discharge of a man by one of the companies, declared that the Government would have to' reinstate liim, or the unions would, no matter at what cost. SYDNEY WATER BOARD. Received 5, 8.50 p.m. Sydney, November 5. The Government's predicament and the shortage of money has produced a further wholesale sacking. Five hundred employees of the Water Board have been dismissed. The Board, which expended £BO,OOO in the past four months, has been informed that £75,000 will be available for the remaining eight months of the year, and possibly another 500 men will be dismissed. The necessary employees at present total 2000. Received 6, 12.40 a.m. Sydney, November 5. The secretary of the Water Board Employees' Union declares that if a thousand men are dismissed it will cause a revolution. Mr. McGowen, speaking in the As- > sembly, said he was unaware that the, men were dismissed owing to the strain of the finances.