LABOUR, ETC.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2620, 13 February 1894, Page 1

LABOUR, ETC.

Sydney, Feb. 9. At the conference between the miners and the owners of the Stockton mines, the latter declined to reopen the proposal refused by the men, to accept a hewing r ,te of 4s 2d per ton with concessions on other rates. The owners informed the men that they could return to work at the rate of 3s 2d, which was the district rate, but they declined absolutely to discharge the firemen should the miners return. The Intercolonial Shearea’ Conference decided to instruct shearers to refuse employment through the Pastoralists’ Unions, or to take or give references. Tbe Shearers’ Conference contend that the pastoralists have committed a breach of agreement through the system adopted in engaging shearers. It is stated that the Shearers’ Union fund amounts to £II,OOO. Feb. 10. The Pastoralists state that there has been no alteration in the system of engaging shearers since the last conference, which affirmed “freedom of contract.” No information has been officially received regarding the action of the Shearers’ Conference, and therefore nothing will be done by the pastoralists, pending further developments. In the course of an interview, the president of the Shearers’ Conference asserted that the shearers were required to pay a deposit of £l, and submit a reference fron a previous employer as a condition for securing engagement. He accused the employers of sending down confidential reports, which, he believed, was an attempt to place on the black list men who take a prominent part in protecting the interests of their fellows. What the conference wanted was a direct engagement between shearers and sheep-owners. No objection, he said, was raised to working with nonunion men. The conference decided to amalgamate the Shearers’ Union with the General Labor Union. It was also expected that ail the bush uniona in Queensland would shortly be amalgamated into a General Union of all bush organisations throughout the colony. The Metropolitan Colliery, Southern District, has conceded Id per ton, which is likely to be satisfactory to the miners, who are now considering the offer. A meeting under the auspices of the Trades Council, to consider the unemployed question, carried a motion Urging the Government to issue a quarter of a million of negotiable Treasury notes, of which £35,000 should be expended in extending village settlements, and the remainder on reproductive works.