Labor Matters

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 187, 6 February 1914, Page 5

Labor Matters

.SIXHOUftSASi ,S M UVEUTISU3 -

SHIPPING Dirf<Ji.B»»., AMSEU. n ii'ii n . •,■ Cop wight By Cable—Press Assomti-fflß- '" ° Sydney, hHrmv ry (1 A .section- of the nn-k-i'li'uppt'** k I sewer-miners- engaged on public \w». ' have struck -for a six-hour ihiy. 'i\ employers firmly refuse to vary the c»- \ isting working award. It is expected; the trouble wilt spread to all the wosks-. The stop work meeting of Newcastle, vharfuicn decided to join the light against working overtime and did not work after live o'clock in the evening. Brisbane, February .1. The federated Waterside Workers' Union has ordered a stop-work meeting for Friday afternoon to consider this question of not working overtime aud other matters at issue with the shipowners. THE POSITION IN MEU'.DI'UNF.. Melbourne, February i>.

The Waterside Workers' Federation has issued instructions to its brunches that from Monday next no overtime is to be worked by any member. The hours will be from eight in the morning to livt at night and till noon on .Saturday. vShipping was disorganised yesterday owing to the wharfmen attending atopwork meetings. The Employers' Federation passed a resolution commending the, ship-owners for their stand against the exorbitant demands of the waterside workers, ami insisting that the dispute must be submitted to the Arbitration Court.

Tt is stated that a general feeling is abroad that the limit in these matters \\ai been reached, and if the men insist on having' an upheaval it is as well to have a large one and as early as possible. \ THE REASON OF THE CONTKIiI-N'CE WORKING FOR SOLIDARITY'. Received 5, I).!!.") p.m. Sydney, February 5. Mr. Grunt, secretary of the Labor League, replying to Mr. llolman's criticisms, says the remarks reported as made by Mr. Ilolman seem to incorrectly describe the position of the annual conference. It was convened for the purpose of giving expression to the political views of the organisation and crystallising the progress made during the past year, and giving directions fto the Ministry as to what the organ- ' isation requires during the coming year. Every delegate to the conference, quite irrespective of membership of league or union, may represent his equal voting power upon every question submitted for consideration. In coming to the decision approving the action of the executive iu refusiug the endorsement o' Mr. Page, the delegates were unquestionably actuated by a desire to maintain the solidarity of the' movement, just as Mr. Holiiian was, no doubt, when some years ago lie was largely instrumental in securing the adoption of the solidarity pledge. The conference tliis year upheld the decision of the special conference in lflll, when, after much consideration, it instructed the executive not to endorse any candidate opposed or failing to support the proposals to amend the. Federal Constitution. It was inevitable that at the annual conference, just as it wis inevitable in State Parliaments, some superfluous oratorial efforts would take place.