LABOUR, ETC.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2519, 22 June 1893, Page 1

LABOUR, ETC.

Melbourne, June 19. In taking a ballot on the question of a reduction of wages, the seamen in each colony will speak with one voice on the proposal. It is expected that the result of the ballot will be known about the middle of the week. June 20. The ballot of the Seamen’s Union, on the question of the reduction of wages by the ship-owners, continues. It is not expected that the result of the intercolonial balloting will be known before Friday. Mr Guthrie, secretary of the Adelaide branch of the Seamen’s Union, is endeavouring to induce the ship-owners to appoint a conference with the men. Sydney, June 19. The secretary of the Associated Collieries has written to the secretary of the Northern Miners’ Association, asking for a conference at an early date to discuss questions affecting the coal trade, and especially the advisableuess of a reduction in price from January next. t a meeting of the steamship owners it was decided to follow the lead of the Melbourne owners with regard to reductions, but it was stated that simultaneous action was impossible owing to the differeuce in the currency of the articles. It is understood that the Union Steamship Company of New Zealand only apply the reductions to the Tasmanian trade, and not to the Now Zealand trade. Juue 20. The ballot taken of the seamen in port resulted in an unanimous refusal to accept the reductions. Wellington, June 20. A meeting of the unemployed was held at the door of the Government Buildings this morning. About one hundred were present. Resolutions were passed, urging the Government to push on public works so as to provide employment, and a deputation was appointed to wait on the Premier. The chairman who is known as “ Professor When, the phrenologist,” said that it was to be distinctly understood that no blame was cast on the Govermneut, which he considered the best in Australasia, but they were taking this means of lotting Ministers know the extent to which the want of the work reached. One of the speakers attacked the Labor Bureau, saying that it had. not scratched the surface. If the Government did not deal with the question the unemployed would deal with and settle them. His remarks did not meet with the favor of the assembled men, we loudly applauded Hi subsequent eulogy by the chairman cjthd Government, as the best ip, the colonies.