Labor Matters

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 191, 11 February 1914, Page 5

Labor Matters

j THE LABOR CONGRESS. •MILITARY TRAININGi OPPOSED. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright j Sydney, February 10. A determined effort was made by a j section of the Labor Conference to have j

compulsory training entirely abolished. Mr Watson, however, threw his weighty* influence on behalf of ihe compulsory lra.sis of the Defence Act, and the result was that a large majority supported the present system. In view of a number ol serious allegations that abuses had crept into the administration of the Act, tho conference decided to demand a Royal Commission of Enquiry.

THE WHARFMRNVS STRIKE. I'REMANTLE AND HOBART JOIN IN. Fremantle, February 10. A meeting of wharf lumpers decided, after ten minutes' discussion, to fall into line with the other States in declaring a lazy strike. Up to the present the men have been working under an agreement with the local shipowner without a grievance. Now one ba* been found which docs not break, the. agreement, but causes a breach between the men and the employers. Ilobart, February 10. The wharf laborers held a meeting on Friday and decided not to work overtime. This was put into effect yesterday, and all gangs working the Wimraera knocked off at 5 o'clock.

A FEW" MORE SURRENDERERS. TROUBLE THREATENS TO SPREAD. Received 10, 9.20 p.m. Sydney, February 10. I A few more butchers have conceded to the men's demands. On the other hand, the Retail Butchers' Association are seeking to induce the carcase butchers not to supply meat to such shops. | The trouble threatens to spread. A number of allied unions have expressed sympathy with the strikers. It is reported the/ engineers driving the refrigerating machinery have expressed their willingness to cease work if asked to do so.

TALLY CI.ER.Ks' DISPUTE. NON-UNION MEMBERS REFUSED A HEARING. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Yesterday. | The tally clerks' industrial dispute was before the Conciliation 'Council to- [ day, when a petition was presented to the Commissioner signed by forty nonnicmbers of the union seeking representation in thfc making of the award. The. Commissioner said he was unable to giant the request as the practice was to allow workers to be represented by a registered union. The employers' representative before the Council said the great majority of regularly employed clerks objected to the award, and were perfectly satisfied with the condition.?. No agreement was arrived at between and the dispute will go to the Arbitration Court, when the objectors to the union will have an opportunity of giving evidence.