AUSTRALIAN. [REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.] Melbourne, January 12.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2109, 14 January 1886, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN. [REUTERS TELEGRAMS.] Melbourne, January 12.

Tun dispute between the men employed in the flour mills and the masters still remains unsettled. The men are willing to agree to a reduction of 10 per cent, on all wages above £2 per week on condition that the hours be reduced to eight per day. The mill-owners have refused any concession, and if a settlement is not arrived at the men will go out on strike ou the Ist February. An informal meeting of the Liberals has been held. Mr Berry recommended Mr Deakin as best fitted for the leadership of the party. The Seamen's Union held their meeting last night to consider whether they should not follow the Labourers' Union by striking. There was a very large attendance. Eventually it was decided to write for information to the .Seamen's Unions of New South Wales, South Australia, Queensland, and New Zealand, and if a favourable reply was received from them, to strike in twenty-four hours. It is expected that if the seamen go out, the cooks and stewards will follow their example. Great hostility is being manifested towards the firm of Messrs Howard, Smith and Sons, whom they propose to boycott. Sailed, this afternoon: The Ringarooma, for the Bluff. Albaxy, January 12. The P. and 0. Co.'s Asia, with the London mails, arrived in King George's Sound this afternoon.

(Received Jan. 13th, noon.) Melbourne, January 13. The manager of the National Mortgage Agency Company of New Zealand reports on the local produce market as under : — Wheat, shipping, 3s lid to 4s, steady; barley, malting, 3s 3d to 3s 9d, quiet ; oats, New Zealand feed, 2s lid to 3s Id ; do. milling, 3s Id, better demand for all descriptions j oats, New Zealand, under bond, 2s 2d to 2s 4d.