LABOUR, ETC.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2419, 1 November 1892, Page 1

LABOUR, ETC.

London, Oct. 27. In liis evidence before the Labor Commission the Registrar of Friendly Societes stated that the total investments of the working classes amounted to £218,000,000. Oct. 29. The Shipping Federation are forming a British Labor Exchange in London, with branches at all seaports. The object is to further the interests of free labour and all unskilled industries.

At the Labor Conference to-day, evidence was given in support of extra control over building societies committees, in order to prevent the overvaluation of the assets of the institutions.

Mr Chamberlain, in a letter in the Nineteenth Century, advocates the legal enforcement of shorter hours for miners and others engaged in dangerous employment; also the earlier closing of shops and the creation of tribunals for arbitrating in trade disputes. He further urges his old age pension scheme for deserving poor, the better housing of workmen, and that local councils should initiate steps to facilitate workmen becoming the owners of their dwellings. Mr Chamberlain also suggests legislation providing that employers should pay compensation for any injury to workmen if caused by the former’s neglect. Paws, Oct. 2S.

The Chamber of Deputies have refused to grant an amnesty to the Carmaux rioters, though the Government promised a pardon to to the miscreants if the strikers resumed work. Sydney, Oct. 26.

The Coal Lumpers’ Union have passed a resolution urging the Liberal and Democratic members of Parliament to oppose the granting ®f a subsidy or other concession to the Union Steamship Company of New Zealand, on the grounds that they compel their employees to join a sick and accident fund over which H have no control; that tlm emDlov ‘ ' are compelled to ■; . ? , y to no tnul- . state th ? on ! organisation and will not such organisation ; while the company’s works and head quarters are situated in another colony, thus giving little work to citizens who are called upon to contribute to the subsidy. Oct. 29. Addressing a meeting of miners at Broken Hill a recently-appointed Justice of the Peace urged the workers to get into power, seize the magistracy and put their own men on the Bench, so that they could get the verdicts they wished ; then, when they got gatling guns and troopers, they could, if the occasion returned, trample down ruthlessly the class which opposed them.

The trial of the Labor Defence Committee for unlawful conspiracy in connection with the strike of miners at Broken Bill has formed the all absorbing topic in the city, and intense interest ivas manifested in the result. Butcher was found not guilty and discharged. His Honor, in passing sentence on tiie others, said that he had a painful duty to perform, as it was a terrible thing to see men like the prisoners before a court or justice at all. Sleath and Fergusson were each sentenced to two years’ imprisonment, Hewitt, and Polkinghorne, each to eighteen months; Heberle, nine months: and Bennett three months. All the accused have hard labor.

In the case of assault against Unionists, there was one conviction and three acquittals. Unkles, for riotous behaviour, was sentenced to eight months' imprisonment. The prevailing opinion among the men at Broken Hill was that the members of the Labor Defence Commission would be acquitted, and the result has caused dismay, Oct. 30. A large mob attacked several free labourers at Broken Hill last night. The police arrested one of the offenders, whom the mob tried to rescue. During the fight four policemen were injured by stones and other missiles. Mass meetings were held in the Domain to-day, when petitions were signed, demanding the release of the members of Broken Hill Labour Defence Commission. A monster meeting is to be held on Tuesday for the same object. Christchurch, Oct. 2b. At a meeting of the Employers’ Association yesterday Mi* W. R.gouq, tho president delivered a lengthy address. He deplored the want of leaders of labor organisations who felt their enormous responsibility and were not anxious for self-glorification, and strongly advocated a system of urbi-

tration in all cases of dispute between employers and employed. He regretted that a workable bill dealing with that question had not been passed last session. He favored a system of profit sharing by a bonus on profits paid to labourers at the end of each year in proportion to the work done, a portion to be reserved as a sick and benevolent fund.