WORK AND WAGES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 184, 21 December 1912, Page 5

WORK AND WAGES.

HOURS OF LABOR. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Xight. In connection with the arrangement entered into by the President of the Drapers Assistants' Union and the Employers with the concurrence of the Labor Department that employers should work till 11 p.m. to-morrow night, a deputation in protest waited on .Air. Massey, Minister of Labor, to-day. The deputation consisted of representatives of the Trades Council and the -secretary of the Drapers Employees' Union. The* deputation claimed that the proposed extension of the working hours was a gross infraction of the law. Mr. the arrangement was arrived at by the wish of both parties, but if the President of the Union was not entitled to speak as an executive officer (if the Union, and had no authority, then it was time that he was replaced. Mr. Cfoskery, secretary of the Union, said that before the President met the parties and made the arrangement he (Mr. Croskery) had protested against any proposed extension of hours. After "a long and somewhat sharp interview, Mr. Mas" sey closed the discussion by saying that he would communicate his decision to Mr. Lomas. who would hand it on to the Union, in the meantime he said, as the deputation was leaving the room, "I hope you gentlemen will settle your own differences amongst yourselvis before you come to me."

THE HUXTLY DISPUTE

Auckland, December 20.

Twenty miners who had refused to join the. new arbitration union were discharged from the Taupiri (Huntly). mines to-day. It is stated that some 40 others, not members of the union, arc still working in the mines. The decision has been taken quietly, and the town, i« all quiet. THE MAPOURIKA TROUBLE. ' Nelson, December 20. After being delayed'at Nelson wharf since yesterday at 3 p.m., the Union Company's coastal steamer MapourTka is timed to sail for Westport at 0 a.m.,tomorrow. Tt is understood that the Pateena is bringing two firemen from Wellington to complete the stokehold crew. The fireman Entwistle, whose refusal to work yesterday caused the firemen to hold the boat' up, was before the court this afternoon, charged with wilfully disobeying the captain's orders, failing without reasonable cause to join bis ship, mid being absent from his ship without lawful ' excuse. On the first charge accused was fined £2, in default 20 days' imprisonment; the second charge was dismissed, owing to a fault in the information; on the third charge accused ( was sentenced to seven days' imprisonment and ordered to forfeit two days' pay.