LABOUR, ETC.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2397, 10 September 1892, Page 1

LABOUR, ETC.

London, Sept. 7. The Social Congress desires to prohibit wives from working. The Trades Union Congress negatived the votes of censure proposed on Messrs Fenwick and 'Wilson, labor members, for their opposition to the miners’ eight hours, Mr Hodge, president of the Trades Union Congress, sitting at Glasgow advocates social and moral reforms, the establishment of counter attractions to the public house, model sanitary dwellings, additional recreations for the lower classes, and arbitration in trade disputes. He admitted that perfect equality of wealth is not attainable. He advocated the nationalisation of railways and land, but deprecated the extension of Sunday labor by the opening of museums and similar institutions. He advised the Unions to abstain from politcal intrigues. He was of opinion that a general eight hours'day would do very little towards equalising the products of labour. The question was in an embryo state, and he was not prepared to force the system on trades that objected to it. The suggested old age pension scheme of Mr Chamberlain was a snare for the unwary.

The strike among the salt workers has been compromised. The Trades Union Congress have approved of the reduction of the Parliamentary franchise to three months, the registration officer to be responsible for placing qualified persons on the register. A resolution was passed that hona fide co-operation ought to be extended in a productive and contributive sense. The Parliamentary Committee were instructed to prepare a scheme for independent labor representation, dealing specially with the financial difficulty. The Congress advised the abolition of sub-contract-ing in the Government Service. Paris, Sept. 7.

The Socialist Congress, sitting at Tours (capital of the Department of Indre et Loire) approved of the suggestion’that men and women should have equal political rights and equal wages. Washington, Sept. 6. The strike leaders have issued a notice to the miners at Coal Creek and Oliver to cease work. Sydney, Sept. 7, The miners of Broken Hill severely assaulted two men engaged by the Proprietary mine. Three assailants were arrested and committed for trial. One hundred more policemen were sent up from town to-night to assist the force already on the spot. Steamship owners not only intend to reduce seamen’s wages, but efforts are being made to reduce the overtime rates paid to wharf laborers.

It is understood that the Steamer Owners Association have resolved to reduce wages £1 per month, and that similar resolutions have been adopted by the Victorian and South Australian Associations,

A manifesto has been issued by the seamen urging them to insist on the maintenance of the existing rates. At a meeting of Broken Hill strikers speeches of a revolutionary character were made. There appears to be a growing dissension among the men. Sept. S. In addressing a meeting of strikers at Broken Hill several of the leaders hinted at an appeal to arms. Three Broken Hill strikers have been sentenced to three months’ imprisonment for assaulting free labourers. In consequence of a threat which lias been made to rush the Proprietary mine and drag out the men who are working, a large force of police, armed with Martini-Henry rilles, are guarding the approaches. Naitei:, Sept. 8. The second annual meeting of the Free Association of Employers and Workmen was held to-day. The report stated that the working members had increased to 2040. Situations were found during the year for 228 men, free of cost to them. Compensation amounting to ii RIM IDs had been uaid to members who had met with accidents while at work, though working members pay no subscription. The guarantee fund now stood at £ 13,820. It was decided to open branch registry ollices at inland townships, so that men need not come to Napier to ascertain where work can be had,