LABOUR, ETC.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2783, 2 March 1895, Page 1

LABOUR, ETC.

Sydney, Feb. 28. ; The annual report of the Australian Workers’ Conference, referring to the recent shearing difficulties, says ;—“ We can unhesitatingly claim the victory. When the full list is made up it will be found that not more than 25 per cent, of the sheds shore under the new agreement. Practically the Pastoralists’ Union acknowledged itself beaten by its confessed inability to supply men. It was intended if successful hero, to carry the war into New Zealand, but the defeat of the Paatoralists’ Union on this side caused the Maorilaud splatters to give up the idea. Thus labor iu that colony was left alone. It is quite clear that the real object of the Paatoralists’ Union and the banks was to crush the men’s organisation, and then make up for it by a 50 per cent, reduction in wages.”

Wellington, Feb. 28. At the Wellington Trades and Labor Council meeting a letter was read from the Labor Department, stating that the Minister intended to alter the Master and Apprentices’ Bill, so that the term of probation for apprentices would be three mouths instead of one month, and that the amounts deducted from the salaries of apprentices, if lodgedin the bank shall not entail any expense of clerical labor on the master. The Council decided to use its best endeavours in forming a New Zealand Workers’ Union in Wellington. Mr Allan Ward was elected president for the year. The Wellington Times states that the Government intend taking energetic measures (o grapple effectually with the unemployed difficulty before the winter sets in.

A labor dispute has arisen at the Black Ball Coal mine, Brunuerton. On Saturday the truckers demanded a rise in wages. The managers declined, and paid them off on Monday morning. The managers met the men on Monday night and asked them to do the trucking. They would not consent, On Tuesday all hands received 14 days’ notice terminating their engagements, and the blacksmiths and enginemeu were informed that there would be no work until the mine waa again working. The men seem to fear labor is being cabled for from Sydney. The mine has been working badly, and would not average over half time. The wages are considered low compared with those paid at Brunnertou and Westport, At a public meeting convened by the Mayor at Rangiora on Wednesday night a motion was carried, That in view of the ever-recurring unemployed difficulty, this meeting would impress on the Minister of Lauds the importance of at once securing laud for settlement in this district and sub-dividing it into small allotments; that this meeting is of opinion that laud should be secured in close proximity to the borough, and to be not less than five acres for each allotment.”