LABOR TROUBLES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2146, 23 March 1908, Page 3

LABOR TROUBLES.

NEWCASTLE COAL COURT

STRONG REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT.

United Press Association —Copyright SYDNEY, Alareh 21.

The conference of coastal companies and wharf laborers was continued to-day. Prospects of a settlement are regarded hopefully. The South Bulli mining trouble has been amicably settled. When tho Newcastle Coal Court reassembled the president announced that the Court could no longer put up with the present position. It had waited three days for tho Pelaw Alain and Burwood pits to resume without result. Ho commented strongly on tho attitudo o-f tho Miners' Federation. Either they could not or would not enforce discipline on its members. It see lied to be ■ n organisation which was It-fi- at tho merev of its least responsible rneinbrs. ‘The wav the Federation acted at the bidding of the Company’s employes resembled a general who in tlio middle of battle had to go to tho drummer boy and ask him not- to upset his nlaiis. The flouting of tho Court was an affront to its self-res-pect, and ho would not stand it any •longer. Ho closed tho Court, but said he would not send in his. resignation immediately in order to give the parties time to consider tho position. The closing of the Court is regretted on both sides, and it is feared it will lead to a renewal and complication of tho trouble.

A QUESTION OF WAGES. Press Association. DUNEDIN, Alareh 21. Partly as a result of tlio recent award in the engineering trade and partly owing to tho slack season, a number of men employed in the agricultural department of Alessrs Reid and Gray’s implement works were discharged this week. It appears that previous to tho award, which came into force on Alonday, wages paid were Bs, 9s, and 10s per day, while the award -provides rov a -uniform rate of 11s. "The firm coukl not pay the rate awarded, -and about a dozen men were discharged. Their discharge necessitated tho paying off of seven others. Alembers of the firm named said the award effected Otago and Southland only, and provided for a higher rate than was paid in Christchurch, where the rates were 7s and 8s per dav, the result being that the firm was unable to compete with the manufacturers elsewhere. As stocks are fairly large, it would have been necessary, apart from the award, to pay of? some men.