LABOUR, ETC.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2662, 22 May 1894, Page 3

LABOUR, ETC.

London, May 17. Mr Gillies, Agent-General for Victoria, considers Professor Morris’ appeal for funds to assist the Melbourne unemployed most unwise, and likely to do much harm to the colony. Many colonists are indignant at the action of the professor. The cab-owners assert that the drivers do not divulgp the amount of their daily recipts, and always retain ss, also that they sublet their cabs for a portion of the day. May 18. Two hundred cab-ownors, possessing 1500 cabs, have agreed to the Union terms. There is little inconvenience to the travelling public, notwithstanding that 9000 men are out on strike. The Miners Congress have approved of a legal 8 hours works in the mines. The Northumberland and Durham miners alone opposed the proposal, and denounced tho English Premier’s and Home Sporetary’s stupid advocacy of the Eight JtJo--Bill. ' urs - . May 19. rilo Tlnids, Commenting on Canadian affairs, says Australia is disposed to solve the labor question p,p principles involving negation oi sapreduess of contract, and stability of private property. Canada is very different. Berlin, May 18. In tho Reichstag the Minister of Agriculture assorted that tho tyranny of tho agitators was forcing a largo section or the workers to accept tho principle of eight hours, which they did not desire. Tiie Berlin d.■legates at tho Miners’ Confcrenue demand the prohibition of female labour in the mines.

May 19. llio Miiiui'.-i' Cuuforonc'j was stnriny throughout uwiuy to tlio jualuusy of tlio

continental unions at the British delegates representing more miners than all the rest. There is much impatience at the practical character of the British proposals and their masterful and scornful treatment of some of the French, Belgian, and German proposals. There was divergence on the subject of a living wage, and when it was evident that Great Britain would out-vote all the other delegates, there was great uproar, and there were cries that Great Britain dominated the Conference. Great confusion resulted, and the British delegates retired. The latter have now returned|home, after having been in conflict with the foreigners throughout the day. New York, May 18. Congress has approved of the liability of mine-owners to pay compensation in case of accidents in mines. British owners opposed the proposal. Coxey’s industrial army is causing trouble in various regions. One of his bands seized a train belonging to a Montana company, which subsequently became derailed, injuring eight persona. Brisbane, May 19. An important labor conference has opened to deal with the question of the reduction of shearers’ wages, and the new agreements insisted upon by the Pastoralists’ Union.

The subjoined motion will be discussed at the next meeting of the Wairarapa South County Council: —“ That this Council is of opinion that the present system of allowing large bodies of unemployed to roam about the country levying blackmail on settlers, should be discouraged and if possible stopped, and that a committee be appointed to arrange for the establishment of food and lodging depots at convenient distances in the country. That if necessary, an extra poor rate be struck to meet the cost.”

A large number of tailoresseo, who were recently discharged by the Kaiapoi Woollen Factory, have commenced a cooperative experiment. They have been granted the use of St. John’s Schoolroom, at Christchurch, and have set to work to make up a quantity of garments which will be disposed of at a sale of work*to be held shortly. About 30 men attended at the Timaru police station on Saturday to meet Mr Mackay, and learn what reply he had received from Wellington about bush land for settlement. He stated that land would bo allotted for 10 or 12, and that Mr Marchant, chief surveyor for|Canterbury, had been asked if could put any work in hand in his district for the remainder. Twentyseven men have given their numes as willing to become bush settlers.