AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 2815, 29 July 1890, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(liV KI,E(,'TKU! TKI.KUKAI'II. —COPYKIOIIT ) Mki.iuiL'RN'k, July 2(i. Tiik Government lias agreed to liud timber-cutting and stonebreaking for the unemployed. Sydnt.y, July 20. The Seamen's Union having agreed to modify the working hours in port by substituting twelve hours instead of eight, it niiiy lead to a settlement of the difficulty, The owners will forward a definite answer to-day. The Marine Officers' Association has determined to withdraw their requests at noon on Monday unless the owners agree to a conference in the meantime. July 27. The Shipowners' Association has written to the Seamen's Union to the effect than they find it impossible to accept any variation in the conditions now regulating work, and decline to accept the new rule providing that the number of hours of labour be eight in all pott--, bays, anil roadsteads, and that the sia watches on the days of arrival and departure be counted as portions of the eight hours. They arc willing to make concessions embracing an increase of overtime and pay for three extra holidays, and also for payment of wages at terminal ports. The seamen have replied that they will stand out for the principle of eight hours, and throw the onus of the strike on the owners. A. cable has been received, inviting the Australasian delegates to a conference, to be held at Glasgow in October, to confirm the eight hour principle. July 2S. Sheep-owners in the Germantown district have resolved to continue to ignore the .Shearers' Union, and squatters are rndcrtaking to deliver wool at the port of shipment. If ship owners declare their acceptance of the Seamen's Labour rules it will involve such a serious increase of expenditure as to virtually prohibit carrying on shipping business. The conference between the marine engineers and the owners is lixed for September. !Mi-:r,r.oi-n\K, July 2S. A mass meeting of the unemployed was held on Saturday, when speakers recommended the men to make work if the Government refuted to open relief works. It is proposed to hold a midnight meeting this week. liiusr. \ne, July - JS. The China Steam Navigation Company's steamer Changshe, which ran ashore on Kattray Island during a fog has been lloated oil'. lloiiAHT, July 211. In the House of Assembly, the I'ren.ier has given notice of motion that an address be presented to the Queen praying that Maetpiarrie Islands should be transferred to New Zealand instead of remaining a dependency of the colony of Tasmania.