LABOUR, ETC.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2458, 31 January 1893, Page 1

LABOUR, ETC.

London, Jan. 2.7 Mr Llewellyn Smith has been appointed Commissioner of the Labor Department, recently formed by Mr Mundella, President of the Board of Trade. Renewed efforts to arrive at a compromise in the cotton strike have failed. The Labour Commission are opposed to making the eight hours’ law compulsory.

At Ashburton in the case of Williams v McMillan, an action for damages for breach of a verbal contract to employ plaintiff as a shearer, Mr Wray, R.M., decided on the nonsuit point that there was an implied promise to pay the usual He held that the engagement wa,a a defeasible contract, tpvifiiMbib »> J time, but that notice to, plawtift that ' the latter WM PvlUXtably for loss of time incurred through this neglect. Ho assessed the damage at forty shillings and costs. The decision governs several cases, and defendant was granted leave to appeal.

FRANCE. Paris, Jan. 27. M. Devele apologised to Count Hayos, Austrian Minister at Paris for the statements in the papers hinting that he was implicated in the Panama scandal. M. Andrieux created a sensation by declaring that M. Floquet ought to be in the dock alongside the others, beeause he supervised a division of the subsidies among the press. M. Franqueville has acquitted Roche, Arene, and Theveuet. The Chambes of Deputies by a majority of 121 granted a secret service fund to the Premier as necessary for the stability of the Republic. Jan. 28. M. Brisson objects to close the Panama Canal enquiry until Delahaye divulges the names of the 104 members of the Chamber of Deputies whom he alleged had received bribes. Dr Herz has been struck off the roll of the Legion of Honour. M. Franqueville recommends the prosecution of M.M. Baihaut (formerly Minister of Public Works), Sans Leroy, Blondin, Charles and Ferdinand De Lesseps, Fontaine, Cotter, and others, making fourteen in all. Four are directors of the company, and are charged with bribery ; the others, for receiving bribes. M. Franqueville has found true bills against Albert Grevy, brother of the exPresident of the Republic, Beral, Rouvier, Proust, Faucounery, Bevis and Renault.

The French Government concede to Canada the minimum tariff, receiving in return reduced duties on wines and other products.