LABOUR.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2356, 14 May 1892, Page 1

LABOUR.

London, May 10. A o-eueral dock strike is threatened. The Yorkshire miners are doubling their contributions in support of the Durham strikers. The Forest of Dean miners refuse to accept a reduction. The cotton-spinners have resumed work. May 11. The South Wales miners have decided against a weekly holiday. It is reported that the dock and riverside labourers in London will strike in j July, during the height of the tea season, | owing to an alleged evasion of the Mansion House agreement. Mr G. Shipton introduced an eight hours deputation to the Government, and stated that it was not desired to include trades which desired exemption. Lord Salisbury said that he gathered from the j deputation that they admitted there was | not any unanimity on the matter. He thought that much additional discussion was required before action could be taken which would embody the common wish. He doubted if legislation would prove easy or safe, and the belief that wages would remain unaltered was a most marvellous conviction. He said that consumption was certain to decrease, and employment must diminish. Mr Balfour said that it was rash to rely on Parliament to effect the objects of the deputation, which could be much better achieved by other methods. Mr John Burns was not one of those forming the deputation. Later. In reply to a deputation from the London Trades Council, re the eight hours system, the Premier said that he did not believe the reduction in hours would produce an increase in work or wages. It would be a tremendous experiment, risking the interests of the whole community, and would drive many employers to countries where a lower rate of wages was in force. He believed that any attempt to force the system into operation would injure the workmen most. The slower action of public opinion was preferable to invoking the aid of the law or ordering strikes. He admitted that sympathy with the movement was growing but employers would certainly defeat any immediate attempt to limit the hours by legislation. Mr Balfour concurred in Lord Salisbury's opinion. He thought that i an eight hours' law would not apply j equally to all conditions of labor, and would prove as crude a method of solving the difficulty as the use of strikes. Lord Salisbury, Mr Balfour, and Mr Goschon, also roceeived a deputation on the subject of commercial and rural labor. In the course of the interview the Premier mentioned that the Government J had arranged to confer with the United States on the silver question. THE RAINIHLL ANP VINDSOR London. May 10. In the event of a petition being lodged on behalf of Deeming the Privy Council will summon a conference of the Judges, and a short respite will become necessary while the decision is being arrived at. May 12. The solicitors believe that Deeming does not intend to appeal, or he would not have made a confession. Melbourne, May 11. An unseemly dispute has arisen between Mr Lyle (Deeming's counsel) and the gaol chaplain regarding the condemned man's confession. The former has complained to the sheriff, and in consequence the appeal to the Privy Council is likely to fall through. Deeming desires to give his head to Doctors Springthorpe and Fishbourne. who gave evidence at the trial as to acsused's sanity. May 12. The warrant for Deeming's execution has been signed. The Medical Association have made a request to the Government that Deeming's head should be handed to them for scientific research.