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COLLIERY DISPUTES IN SOUTH…
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COLLIERY DISPUTES IN SOUTH WALES. THREE HUNDRED MEN LEAVE WORK AT EBBW VALE. On Monday morning the whole of the men n ^°yed at No. 1 pit, Victoria, Ebbw Vale, qjf^ering about 300, returned home in conse- i^1100 a dispute. It appears that the work- c one side of the pit has been given out on JftK *^e successful contractor being Mr. Williams, who was formerly in the employ company. This has caused considerable .satisfaction among the men. A mass meeting whole of the colliery workmen em- da ye<* t,n^er tiie company was held on Mon- J evening to consider the position. dav a m'e'etin^ °f ^T°- 1 pitmen heM on Mon- eVenin^ was reported that the manage- had stated their intention of allowing an' ^n Williams's contract to lie in abey- dis06, and, as this removed the matter in ^'■orv^' arra-nsements were made by which Was resumed on Tuesday morning. A DISPUTE NEAR MAESTEG. Ifer, w'l0-e of the employes at the Bryn Col- ceaf' near Maesteg, about 150 in number, °.UeSet* °Perations on Friday last, in conse- L of a disagreement as to the price to cutting co-il. The cclii-;ry is, prac- ljw, ane.tr onj. and at the outset arrange- were made as to the rate per ton up to y." thickness. The coal has now exceeded *h.e an(^ ^r' T*evr,on- acting on behalf of J}aJ^crkmen, met Mr. T. Jones, of the Lryn ^^aition Company, but they have failed to -to- the company's representative wishing an arbitrator.
'.;;,,", RISERS' FEDERATION.
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RISERS' FEDERATION. NHYMXEY VALLEY DISTRICT, Monthly meeting of the Rhymney Valley >3S South Wales J'Ji'ners' Federation at the Ivy Hotel, Pengam, on Monday. was a large attendance of delegates. The jiuj0lngwas presided over by Mr. Walter Lewis, the ^ose *n attendance were Me-:srs. Evan trea as> miners' agent; W. Powell, district tajy- er; and W. P. O'Shea, district secre- "*Wvi £ 150 was received in contributions, 7°rnv»+- Was largest sum since the the district.—Mr. Evan .stated88 in t^ie c°urse of his report ^at matters had been compara- during the month. The claims for S14 h a''Qn were fewer in number than usual, !?piove"a„V pleased to observe that the fclaijj. of the district were now meeting the Jhe win*1 a more friendly spirit than formerly. men Saunders, killed at New Ow £ ear Colliery, had been awarded by Judge CoUft s'tting as arbitrator at Tredegar County- Ut« f> ^s" claim °f the widow of the «ettje.avid Thomas Jones, Rhymney, had been 426s jo ou^ court, the widow receiving ^p to tv total claims paid in the district <73o 3Present were:—For death (four cases), (^sa^ement' £ 351 Is- 5d., or a total ^^leii 4s: Several cases of dispute were satisfactorily.—It was decided unani- the district should take part in Juir ^onstration to be held at Brynmawr on
;^AB0TTR DAYS FOR COLLIERS
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^AB0TTR DAYS FOR COLLIERS i FIXTURES GRAN'TED. of the owners' representatives on S^'the lng'scale committee was held on Monday t rk-hi °f the Coalowners' Association, be cha<Se' Cardiff. Sir W. T. Lewie occupied *3* tj,air' Among other business transacted Jfccpetg6 consideration of a letter from the < sli<v workmen's representatives on jjr ^S-scalo committee with reference to Se miners' holidays in July next.— *Wcte^re^ary ^r- W- Gascoyne Dalziel) was in- The v 10 reply to the following effect: — °nmouthshire and South Wales Coal- r ;■ owners' Association. lfrt Til Cardiff, 19th June, 1899. as Richards, secretary Workmen's Oiif.l'lfS6ntatives on the Sliding-scale Com- ^ar|-e' Beaufort. a meeting of the owners' repre- a f3, °n the sliding-scale committee held j^fiicati uKht forward the question of the ,tKe °n °f the workmen's representatives taVjC°nsent of the owners to the work- ^.Stg j the following general holidays: — J>tpict_ y» Rhondda, Aberdare, and Merthyr j t'ict. y> Monmouthshire and Dowlais Dis- j 8th ^ondu, Ogmore, and Garw District. .The 0v_ *^«stern D-strict. «, Bay representatives now instruct me deference to the request of the a«k sPec)alrepfe8entatives, they are willing on J°r- \)0ccasion to grant the holidays Ut such acquiescence is given on Ho as a pr ^rstanding that it is not to be %e? c?CcasiotfCe<*en*' *n the future, and that on th °c^tecj 'D-UBt the workmen at any Cnfi- ^'Stinof *ery take any holiday without Q 1 consent of the manager of the eÜding- Or of the owners' representatives on the oommiWee.—Yours faithfully. ■^d) W. GASCOYNE DALZIEL. Secretary.
Labour DISPUTES AT ''.-.-.,'-NEWPORT.
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Labour DISPUTES AT NEWPORT. THE BUILDING TRADE. 1 Mayor of Newport to bring 0 ades men engaged in the building ^O-^e disn„, r< ,so as to arrive at a settlement lien (r.ftri w at Present results in about *eUy, of all trades being thrown out v.04' ^lave Proved abortive. Several Partin ve t>een held, but apparently the ftjfkt, ways occurred on Monday ttlB erice the split took what looks like per- ahrt (,e°land0? tllfee Questions. The skilled j. the m- 5 an immediate advance in wages, nLjbe offered to give it on September Wfy_f8 asked that the rule re imported lav fc, j 01ld be referred to arbitration, tlrers (jp dfeclined; and. third and last. the and a rise from 51d per hour to Oh Was thpC ^^ters offered 5id., which they \^JleSe th I*a^e ^a'^ through the district, on °1?ht jFee *°iDta the two sides could not nto harmony, and the dispute goe3 ^ble by Probably be aggravated to mean tAtPIltE the importation of free labour. PAINTERS LEAVE THEIR »^>I«JA?LO™ENT- W had been at work at the Oj) ^achjnc.e Music-hall at Newport (now nday coniPletion) gave two hours' notice Sn(* their employment. Q«*STICARRLERS DISSATISFIED. 0jn °f hours of labour led to the e*and,T0rk °f ffangs of deal carriers at ra Dock.
." A.YMEN'S GRIEVANCES
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A.YMEN'S GRIEVANCES ^»rn THE CARDIFF BAIL- j cOlffPANY»S EMPLOYES. °f the employes of the Car- °Uld on H°mPany's men was held ait the 1 i*e tat to consider what steps t^°' see*n £ that the company have ift A Programme submitted by wCre It for better conditions of stated that the men were '°>l 11 in any other body of rail- J^tin and the following resolu- and carried.—"That this mass c^i }jav €r the time has arrived when it*0* o a reply from tho Cardiff Kail- a our Programme, and we in- SOo, Und «} Secretary to at once «eek an -ty that we abide by the ruling of oUpEW WlTH THE SECRETARY, the *e^resentatives saw the local sec- D Society of Railway of -ards). and endeavoured, in tjj' • to°f, the r. meagre and uninforming G>u,it f;rrt ,froni the meeting on Sun- t>i x,. n'm what the grievances of '•tV*n(>e Buhlif.erC' Tlle ^Porter pointed out 4 lWOUld desire to know the 4 VI, n°t am?w .matters really stood. Pt^h°:ised at present to go be- ^^etino. m ln tbo resolution arrived tl rePl'ed the secretary. t Programme contain?" 11 Ca,w ma". thai ,ay now*" was the reply, "bnt fy/ e^e?^e want ten hour8-" w^^rther. j cx,,ect our ^(,retary j Jjjjp Wn shortly to take up our 3 ™.NY WPBESSION. Uioi! statea railway men. In some raiiVJT, 6 men are better off than by °°mpanies, but the highest V)>, ir dmtrards are not 1uite so good *>e, *es are different from what IV ved i?'atelav °n Taff or Rhymney. ln6 t^e oLr^ there are about 300 men A»»a^e HerJiJ- Railway Company. states that, in review- o^tenth annaal report of the 'id Of tVl y °f Railway Servants, the 1857 It tTn S?ci€ty "?ives the whole \va the n0lj? lts readers that at the 5-328. T1?al membership of the ts °»ilv ge ProPortion of these 0ff the K P,ap€r' aS 40 648 of them t&ie at th<, s 111 1898. leaving the la«+ Cnd of the year "about ^ear the total income of ^0«n^hs> shovrs a! y £ 3.925, while the total nt ho lea. 4vncrease of £ 13,775—a loss in °rphar.^n £ 17,700 for the twelve '8e of ^,eceint_ fund shows a falling off ^1^1.171 ^'ch. together with the 8 °h th^Xpenditure' ma^es a total tba year.
-OTHER TRADES.
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OTHER TRADES. SHIP-REPAIRING DISPUTE AT CARDIFF. The threatened trouble in the ship-repairing I trade at Cardiff is at an end, and all danger of a strike has new been averted. The only point in dispute was with regard to the payment of labourers when engaged )11 spacial work. The employers insertei a clau.-c in'their rules that wh?n the mechanics with whom they were! working received extra. pay beyond what the soc iety's rules entitled them the labourers should receive "some" extra payment as well. The word "some" was objected to, und theemp'oyers have now consented to the labrurer: being paid on a pro rata basis with the mechanics. That is, they will be paid for th" sime number of hours as the mechanics themselves. The>« terms were submitted to a ma-s meeting of the men held at the St. David's-hall, Cirdiff, on Sunday, and, after they had been explained by the officers of the society, a resolution was adopted accepting the masters' cfter, believing that it would be to their advantage to do so. At the same time, they decided not to cease work. and left the ratification of the agreement in the hands of the officials, who are empowered to take whatever action they de-nn necessary. Mr. C. M. Stcnner. the secretary of the Labourers' Union, in conversation with a reporter after the meeting said the employers had met the men in a very fair spirit, and had done everything in their power to bring the difficulty to an end The treatmEnt they had received harl removed the suspjciqps of the officials, and he believed the men' had been dealt with very fairly. SETTLEMENT OF THE FIREMEN'S STRIKE AT DOWLAIS. The strike of the firemen employed at the engine boilers of the tin-bar mill, Old Works, Dowlais. has been amicably settled, and work throughout the department was resumed on Wednesday morning. By the terms agreed upon the men will be paid for the present at a fixed rate per diem, as heretofore, which will, however, be superseded by a tonnage rate as soon as can be conveniently arranged by the management. PENRHYN QUARRYMEN. A public meeting of the Penrhyn quarrymen was held on Friday night at the Cefnfaes Schoolroom, Bethesda, under the presidency of Mr. W. R. Evans, Bont-uchaf. There was a large attendance, and at the outset the Chair- man explained that the meeting, was one of a series which were being held in <he quarry dis- tricts to further the cause of the North Wales Quarrymen's Union. WAGON REPAIRERS' STRIKE AT CARDIFF. The strike in the wagon building trade at Cardiff shows no signs of settlement, but there are indications of collapse on the part of the men, who are gradually giving way and going back to work. Strike pay has besii distributed for several weeks, but the subscriptions from outside sources are coming in very slowly, and the men themselves are becoming dissatisfied. The employers state that the applications for re-engagement are becoming more numerous, and that the whole dispute will be at an end in the course of a few days. RATES OF PAYMENT IN DOCK- YARDS. The Admiralty are about to make an impor- tant departure from a long-sstablished system under which men employed on piecework in her Majesty's dockyards are dealt with in ths matter of their earnings. They are desirous that the men employed in the dockyards should be fully capable of ascertaining before they start a piece of work what the value of that work is to he; and new schemes have been devised with this view, concentration and per- car.tage modifications being abolished and the schemes expanded on such a comprehensive basis that each item of work is specifically defined and rated, it being also laid down that jobs of work not specified and rated shall not be any longer done upon an arbitrary rate of pay. BUILDING TRADE CONFERENCE. At a meeting of Trade Unionists connected with the building trade, held at Manchester on Monday, the basi.. of conference with the employers in the building trade was agreed upon. The leading proposals are the creation of district conciliation boards and the central conciliation board. The question of an inde- pendent chairman remains open.
THE COMPENSATION ACT.
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THE COMPENSATION ACT. WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION CASE AT SWANSEA. At Swansea County-court on Wednesday (before Judge Gwilym Williams) Mr. G.iscoig.i? Hawkes, on behalf of David Rees, formerly engaged as a collier, claimed from Mr. P. Richards, colliery proprietor, under the Work- men's Compensation Act.—His Honour made an order for the payment of 10s. 6d. a week to the plaintiff for the first six months and Is. a week afterwards, subject, of course, to the point of law not being raised by an appeal; his Honour practically finding for the defen- dant, because of the section of the Workmen's Compensation Act regarding the six months' notice not having been observed.
CONSULAR CLEARANCES.
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CONSULAR CLEARANCES. At the mon.ly meeting of the Cardiff Cham- ber of Commerce, held at the Exchange on Wednesday morning, the president (Mr. John Andrews) reported that he had received a letter from Mr. A. Mawson, president of the Shipowners' Association, suggesting that the chamber should appoint three representatives to meet an equal number of shipowners for the purpose of thoroughly going into the ques- tion of Consular clearances, official hours, non- official hours, charges, and difficulties in the way of giving clearances except on actual weights. He proposed that this suggestion should be acted upon, and Mr. J. A. Jones seconded. He thought there ought to be no difficulty in giving clearances on approximate quantities, and telegraphing the actual weight on the next day.—The motion was carried unanimously, and the president, Mr. J. A. Jones, and Mr. F. H. Lambert were appointed to represent the chamber.-A letter was read from the Board of Trade enclosing a report .from the Consul at San Francisco to the effect that by a tariff law which had come into force in July, 1897, a duty of 67 cents was payable in July, 1897, a duty of 67 cents was payable on anthracite coal and other coal containing less than 92 per cent. of fixed carbon. As a result, a cargo of anthracite coal from Swansea had been charged with duty. The duty did not affect Cardiff, but some of the members were interested in Swansea.—It was decided to subscribe E5 to the Decimal Association.
ALLEGED BURGLARIES IN T.t1.E…
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ALLEGED BURGLARIES IN T.t1.E SHONDDA. The Stipendiary and other magistrates sit- ting at Pontypridd on Wednesday heard a case in which Henry Dickson, collier, 44, Charlec-street, Pandy, was charged with breaking and entering the shop of Noel Mere- dith, grocer, Tonypandy, in September, 1897. —Supa-intepdent Cole explained that defen- dant absconded at the time, and had only recently been arreeted.-Evidencc aS to miss- ing several article* of goods from the shop wAs given by Meredith. He added that the back window of his shop had been opened, and to get to the window it was necessary to cross a wall 45ft. high.—Inspector Hoyle and Police-sergeant Thomas proved the arrest. Defendant to!d them he was very sorry he ran flway. He was tired of being about the country, and thought the police were always after him. He had come back to the Rhondda to give himself up.—Defen- dant was then committed for trial at the quarter sessions. Other charges of breaking and entering the shops of Joseph Jones, furniture dealer, Blaenclydach, and Frederick Shears, grocer Blaenclydach, in August and September, 1897, were heard against him.-He was com- mitted to take his trial at the quarter ses- sions on these cases also.
COUNTESS OF HUNTINGDON CONFERENCE…
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COUNTESS OF HUNTINGDON CON- FERENCE AT SWANSEA! The seventy-ninth annual conference of the Countess of Huntingdon Connexion through- out the country was held on Tuesday and Wed- nesday at the Swansea chapel of that body in St. Helen's-road—the only one in Wales. The chair was taken by the Rev. J. Forster (Chel- tenham) who was supported by the Rev, J T Cynon Davies, Spa Fields, London; the Rev J. B. Figgis, M.A., Brighton; the Rev. J Henerie Allen (Swansea chapel), together with the Revs. J. M. Saunders and T.;E.vans (Swan- sea).—The Chairman during the meeting remarked that the Swansea chapel was founded in 1813 because of the sacerdotal teaching of the clergy of that day, and he thought they would all say that there was as much need for testimony against sacerdotalism now as. then.-On Wednesday the president (the Rev. R. Nott Ebley) retired to make room for the Rev. James Foster (Chélten'baJ})). the new president.-A number of matters of inte- rest to the connexion were discussed by about 60 delegates from all over the country.
RELIEF TO COLLIERS ON 8TBT,KB
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RELIEF TO COLLIERS ON 8TBT,KB At the meeting of the Badwellty Board of Guardians held at Tredegar on Wednesday Mr. Shepard, clerk, read a communication from Messrs. Ward, Colborne, and Coulman. soli- citors, Newport, acting for the Ebbw Vale and Tredegar Iron and Coal Companies, the objectors to the payment by the guardians of outdoor relief to able-bodied men on strike, intimating that their clients had decided not to proceed further with the appeal to quarter sessions. They also agreed to pay all the costs incurred by the appellants. I
! WAGES IN THE TIN-PLATE TRADE.
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WAGES IN THE TIN-PLATE TRADE. MEETINGS OF THE MEN'S ASSOCIATION. The Tin-sheet and Millmen's Association, of which Mr. Thomas Phillips, Llar.elly, is secre- tary, asserts I itself on Saturday as a factor in the present tin-plate activity. A meeting wis held at the Bird-in-Hand Hotel to consider what steps should he taken to get back from the masters the concessions from the 1874 list of wages which have long been the rule. Mr. Henry Davies, president, occupied the chair. Mr. Thomas Philips. secretary, then made a statement to the meeting, embodying his views on the present position of matters. He said: Fellow-workmen,—We have met here to-day after the disappearance of the mo;t serious depression we have experienced for years, during which time you have suffsred immensely, but we are glad to find that at last a better time has set in. which I believe is going to he permanent, and to an extent that will justify action on the part of the men to re-gain some of the heavy concessions given to employers during the last nineteen months. These have been tantamount to a loss in wiges of about £ 20,000 to millmen only. The question upper- most in your minds to-day is, what steps sha.t be taken to re-gain such concessions that w 11 be fair to employers and employed?. I aru fully aware that the sitmtioil bristles with difficulties, but it is a situation that must lu grappled with, and not one that justifies us in awaiting events and see what the gods will give us. I am quite cognisant of the fact tha". the employers are making a laudable attempt to form an employers' association and to establish a board of conciliation, and I trust that they will succeed in doing so. I am certain that our association will do its best to assist in achieving such a result; then brutal strikes will cease to become weapons of-civilisa- tion.. There is one salutary lesson taught us by the present circumstances. It has always been the cry of the employers that if the price of plates went to a certain point- say, 10s. per box-and I have heard a lesser figure mentioned—that we should certainly lose our trade, and especially would this be so if there be any talk about wages. In the prevent circumstances, when other causes have combined to send up prices, there is no such talk as losing our trade. Reports prove that under the present high prices trade is better and more plentiful, and if circumstances have driven up prices to a certain extent, it is very evident that combined action under norma-, conditions between masters and men can stop prices going down to the ruinous point at which they have been during a time extending over fifteen months. True, the pr'ce of raw material is a factor in the present high prices of plates, and if the raw material has risen equal to the price of plates our position is a waiting one. Now, the whole situation hinges upon this one point. If it is proven that there is a fair margin of prcfit from the sale of tin- plates to-day, then the men should be con- sidered at once. Trade is improving, prices are better, and a great scarcity of men is expe- rienced; yet it is a significant fact that greater reductions prevail throughout the trade to-day than ever. This is an anomaly that requires explanation. The increase in trade for May over April is very substantial, and the prices are much better:- The quantity of black plates shipped in April was 5.997 tons Ditto May 11,900 An increase of 5,903 Tin-plates shipped in April was 20,136 tons Ditto May 21,557 An increase of 1,421 Galvanised sheets shipped in April 19.469 tons Ditto May 21,800 •. An increase of .— 2,331 „ Employers say that they have not had the advantage of the higher prices ruling, Because of bookings at low nrices, made previous to the improvement in prices. To a certain extent that is true, but I hope employers don't want us to believe that they are such dul.ard-i as to book six months ahead at the lowest prices, at a time when there were v;sib.e signs of an improvement setting in. The prices of raw material are higher to-dak than they were in February:— £ s. d. Steel bars higher by ) 0 7 6 per ton Block tin 15 ° Hot neck grease J ? « Palm oil 7 c « Standards 1 5 Coupling boxes 0 lp 0 „ Small castings 1 10 0 Rolis 15 0 Coal 0 10 Hardly any change has taken place in the prices of other material necessary. £ s. d. Employers received for shear- ing? in February 3 0 0 per ton. Ditto in May 3 7 0 An advantage of 0 7 0 Tin-plates, b.v., f.o.b. Swansea, were in February lOs. 9d. per box, and in May 12s. 6d. per box. There is no need for particularising what the net result amounts to. but things are a great deal better to-day. Therefore, what are we to do in the meantime? I want to be fair and reasonable. There is conciliation in the air, but we want it a bit closer, and I suggest that all the present reductions in the trade be lowered by one-half; where there is 10 per cent. reduction it should be lowered to 5 per cent.; where there is 15 per cent, it should be 7, per cent., and so forth. This will be fair to all the employers, because they would be left in the same relative position when going to the markets as they were in May. This change should take place from the 1st of August, and brought about either by a meeting of the employers' association or by deputations to the different offices, the r°nlie= 40 be received not later than Saturday, June 24. Considerable discussion ensued, and it was pointed out that soma definite course of action was most desirable. Millmen could not further temporise in the matter. Ultimately the following resolution was agreed to That we ask the employers to return half the present reductions from the 1874 Hot from August 1 next, and to give security that the full list price should lIe paid from September 1." Circulars will be issued accordingly to all employers whos" workmen were represented at the meeting, an adjournment being agreed upon till Saturday next to receive the replies.
THE STEEL SMELTERS' UNION.
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THE STEEL SMELTERS' UNION. An adjourned meeting of the Steel Smelters' Union, controlled by Mr. Hodge, also took place at the Bird-in-Hand Inn, Swansea, on Saturday evening. Mr. Hodge was not present, but Mr. M'Pherson, the organising secretary, was, and conferred further with the men as to the pros- pects of re-gaining the old wage-rate. Mr. M'Pherson had to leave soon after the meeting started. It will be remembered that the meeting adjourned last week in order tha.t the action of the masters as to the formation of a conciliation board might be noted. It was reported that the Masters' Association were taking action in the matter, which was to be discussed at a general meeting, and it was decided, therefore, to further adjourn the meeting. MEN'S LEADERS INVITED TO A CONFERENCE. At the weekly meeting of the Tin-plate Mas- ters' Association, held at Swansea. Exchange on Tuesday afternoon, the agitation for the recovery of the 1874 wage list was discussed. It was decided to invite Messrs. John Hodge, James Wignall, Ben Tillett, Hutchinson, and Thomas Phillips to meet the employers and discuss the situation at next Tuesday's meet- ing. RE-START OF THE CWMBWRLA TIN- HOUSE. On Tuesday afternoon an agreement was signed between Mr James Wignall, on behalf of the men, and Mr. Thomas, on behalf of Messrs. Richard Thomas and Co., under which the tin-house at the Cwmbwrla Works will re-start immediately. The ternas are 15 per cent. off the 1874 list, and until the Abercarn patents are introduced the men will worfc. on the old system. This arrangement will ulti- mately give employment to about 50 men, and, naturally, it has caused considerable satisfac- tion in the district.
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Thog. Harris, a hawker, living in Albert-row, Swansea, was fined 40s. and costs, or one month's imprisonment, by the Swansea magistrates on Wednesday for stealing three boxes of sweets, value 5s., from the I shop of, Mrs. Daniels, 27, College-street.
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POSTS C.B.Q. THE MOST EFFECTIVE CURE YET DIS. COVERED FOR GOUT AND RHEUMATISM. Chief-constable's Office. Horsham. January 25, 1899. Dear Sir,-I am in receipt of yuur letter of yesterday's date, and I have very much pleasure in informing you that, after tok "? v>ur "C.B.Q." tablets regularly for the last two months. I am thankful to say 1 am feehngquite free from muscular rheumatism and sciatica from which I had been suffering more or less for years. Like others. I also find that it, is an excef.er.t tonic, as I have gained in weight, and can eat and sleep better than I have done for years. Yon are quite at. hberty to make what U" you think fit of this letter, and I shall always recommend vour "C.B.Q." whenever I have the opportunity. I am, Sir. yours gratefully, THOMAS COOPER. Sopt. and Chief Clerk. NO COLCHICUM. CVLOMEL, OR MERCURY. IN TABLETS, 23. 9d. and 4s. 6d. Of Chemists, or Carriage Paid in United King- dom from A. M. POST (Ltd.), 96 and 98, Leadenhait-st.. E.C. — L2055-7
EARLY CLOSING AT CARDIFF.…
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EARLY CLOSING AT CARDIFF. STARTLING DEVELOPMENT. UNION FORESTALLED BY ME SSRS. HOWELL. ALL UNMARRIED EMPLOYES RECEIVE NOTICE. The decision of Messrs. Howell aud Co. and Messrs. D. Morgan and Co.. two of the principal Cardiff drapers, to keep their shops open until haif-p^sl seven during the summer months has brought about a situation which was not antici- pated by the National Union of Shop Assis- tants. Naturally, the extension of the working hours caused a good deal of dissatisfaction, and a strike was threatened by those employes who were affected. Mr. James Howell has, how- ever, forestalled any movement of that descrip- tion by giving a week's notice to all his unmarried male and female assistants. As might be expected, this prompt defensive move- ment caused something like consternation, and on Sunday the position was discussed at a meet- ing of the Union held at. Pontypridd. The meeting condemned the action of Messrs. Howell and Co., and promised to support the employes should the notice be enforced. It is to be regretted that the question should have reached such an acute phase, because there has been no stronger supporter of the early closing movement than Mr. James Howell. The fact of the matter is, that the Union of Shop Assistants have failed to bring other tradesmen into line with Messrs. Howell, Hall, and Morgan, the only three drapers who have consistently clcssd at seven o'clock for some years. Mr. Seccombe has received a good deal of attention from the Union, but they have absolutely failed to compel him to close before 7.30 or eight o'clock. Mr. Sec- combe explains in an interview which we pub- lish to-day that he is quite prepared to close at seven if other drapers will do the same, but he, naturally, objects to turning customers away and seeing them enter the premises of his competitors in business. If a strike or lock-out takes place the full members of the Union are entitled to receive 15s. per week, and the affiliated members 10s. What funds the Union possess we do not know, but when we state that out of the 500 members in Car- diff 380 are employed by Messrs. Howell and Messrs. D. Morgan it will be realised that a considerable weekly sum will be required to maintain those who are thrown out of employment through the dispute. The mar- ried employes of Messrs. Howell and Co., who are members of the Union, naturally find them- selves in a very awkward predicament. Accord- ing to Trades Union principles, they should throw in their lot with those who have received notice, but this would entail a great hardship, not only upon themselves personally but upon their families also. It is to be hoped that during the week some arrangement will be arrived at which will lead to an amicable settlement of the question. QUESTION DISCUSSED BY THE UNION. The early closing movement. amongst the Cardiff shop assistants was the subject of discussion at a meeting of the South Wales and Monmouthshire District Council of the National Union of Shop Assistants held at the Ca,m,briall Temperance Hotel, Ponty- pridd, on Sunday, with Mr. A. Pearce, president of the Cardiff Branch in the chair. Tlle question was opened by Mr. ,T. Spencer Jones (Cardiff), who moved: "That this council regrets to learn of the probable collapse of the early closing movement in Cardiff as a result of a reversion to longer hours by Messrs. Howell and Co. and Messrs. Morg-tn and Co., u,1d it is gratified with the determined stand made by the employes of the firms in question for a voice in the regulation of their hours of labour. The council heartily endorses the action of the Cardiff Branch in the matter, and pledges itself to extend all possible financial support to any member who may be affected as a result of the course adopted." Mr. Jones said it was not a matter which merelv affected Cardiff or even South Wales, but it was of vital importance to the National Union. For the last eight or nine years, since the arrange- ment was entered into to cfo$e at seven o'clock, the Cardiff branch had wprked hard to get a. uniform and general hour for closing in the town. The chief opponent was Mr. Seccombe, Queen-street, and their difficulties began when he came to Cardiff. Since then other trades- men who had no sympathy with early closing had taken courage, and Messrs. Howell and Co. and Messrs. Morgan and Co., the two principal drapery firms in the town, had taken exceptio" to the fact that the Queen-street dr apers kept i open when their establishments were closed. He did not think they ware justified in this, and could not understand why firms who, to a largo extent, had a monopoly in their par- ticular tr\d? should lose that dignity which one wo lid imagine their huge business would tend to create by taking notice of smaller firms. (Applause) He did not think he would be far wrong in saying that more customers were served inside their shop after closing time than wure served- all day in Mr. Seccombe's business. Th2 branch candid'y admitted that, it had failed in its efforts to get uniformity in the hours of closing. Of the 500 members of the Cardiff branch 303 were employed by Messrs. Howell and Morgan, and at a recent meeting they had condemned the action of those firms, and rather than submit to an extension of hours they had decided to leave the. service of their employers. (Ap-1 plause.) Having dealt with the money which would be paid the employes by the Union if they were out of employment, Mr. Jones said the members had adopted a firm attitude, and he hoped the press would publish it. in order to show that they meant business. He trusted it would help the employers to take a reason- able position in the matter, and wise counsel must prevail, but so far it had not been initiated on the other Side. He had that morn- ing heard from one of Messrs. Howell's employes that on Saturday night a huge notice was fixed in the dining-room of the house in- forming all unmarried male and female em- ployes that they were to leave the employ of the firm next Saturday, and an intimation was also given that all who desired to make application for employment could do so. This latter intimation Mr. Jones con- demned in no mild terms, and asked were they to allow individual bargaining in an establishment of that kind after the members had decided en masse to take definite action? (" No, no.") Any member so doing would not be a fit member of an organisation. (Applause.) The branch had no intention of bullying or threatening Messrs. Howell and Co. or Messrs. Morgan And Co. They did not want a strike, but iL would be the duty of the members of the Union to see that their colleagues in Cardiff should not suffer for the action they had taken. (Applause) Mr. G. B. Roberts (Pontypridd), secretary of the district council, seconded. He did not like the word "blackleg," but he thought the associar tion could do a great deal to stop assistants seeking employment at Cardiff until the mniter had been settled. Other delegates having spoken in favour,' the motion was carried unanimously. IMPORTANT MEETING OF SHOP ASSISTANTS. A crowded meeting of shop assistants. in which tho o employed by Messrs. Howell and Co. and Messrs Morgan and Co. largely pre- dominated, was held at Robertas-hall, St. Mary-strcet, Cardiff, on Monday evening to consider the action taken by Mr. Howell in dismissing all the unmarried male and fem lIe assistants. Mr. T. Spencer Jones wm voted to the chair, and most of the branch officials were present, as well as Mr. M'Pher- son, the general secretary of the Shop Assis- tants' Union. The proceedings were of an enthusiastic character, and marked by the utmost unanimity. The Chairman said he need not tell them that what had been termed a crisis had developed very rapidly during the last couple of days. He thought his first duty wa* to correct a few misapprehensions in connection with tnis agitation, and to refer more particu- larly to a letter which appeared in ths even- ing papers from Mr. Howell. The notice issued by Mr. Howell on Saturday n'ght had relieved them of what some people might term a good deal of responsibility in connection witb this movement. Mr. Howell had taken upon him-e'.r to force the issue in this matter. There was no intention to strike, and if there had been Buch an inten- tion it practically had-no meaning at present, because the probable strike had developed into an actual lock-out. (Applause.) He did not think anyone in the room could have any objection to the statements made by Mr. Howell in his letter. But Mr. Howell, like a good many other people, did not seem to clearly understand the situation. This was not an agitation of the officials of the branch, but it was the agitation of the members employed in Messrs. Howell's and Messrs. Mor- gan's establishments. (Applause.) Those mem- bers brought their grievances before the branch, 'lhey went so far as to say that un- less the conditions were altered they would be prepared, not to strike, but to leave their present situations and seek employment else- where. (Applause.) That was certainly not adopting a threatening or a bullying attitude. If one man had a right to do that, h" con- tended that one hundred or two hundred men had the right to do it, and the case was no w-.r"e tocanse the numbers had increised. That was really the position. It was not a. question of whether they were justified in asking Messrs. Howell and Messrs. Morgan to close, seeing that the Queen-street and other drapers were open. That was not the point at issue/ The members of the branch were entitled to the protection of the organisation, and if they were dissatisfied with the condi- tions of their employment, the- Union had no alternative but to support theipjn any legiti- mate demand they wished to make. (Cheers) They must put-on one sido tba fact that other drapers did not close. The assistants had stated that they were prepared to leave and go to London, Liverpool, and other places rather than submit to the conditions sought to be imposed. Such a stand was perfectly honourable and justifiable, and he believed that Mr. Howell, in issuing that notice was condemned not only by the branch, but by the public of Cardiff. (Cheers.) He fully recognised the gravity of the position, but it was for them to decide what action they would take. If they decided to go on under the condi- tions which it was sought to impose, he did not think anyone would blame them, because at the present time anything in the nature of a fight between employers and shop assistants in the distributive trade would be a most unequal one, owing to the fact that by with- holding a reference the employers could prevent them obtaining a living elsewhere. ("Shame.") He wished them to realise this fully. In con- clusion, he pointed out that Mr. Howell had taken the action he had even before the assis- tants themselves had decided what to do, and before any representation had been made to him as to what their grievances were. (Applause.) Mr. J. M'Pherson, after urging upon the meet- ing to be exceedingly qareful as to what they said and decided, said never before in the history of the organisation had such an issue been placed before them. (Hear, hear.) He proposed the following resolution:- "That this meeting expresses its surprise at the action of Messrs. Howell and Co. in issuing the notice dismissing a large section of their em- ployes before any formal statement of their grievances had been made by the Union, and as this notice offers individual re-engagements, it considers a deliberate attempt has been made to induce some to act dishonourably to their fellow-members. (Applause.) And, further, it urges all the employes affected by the notice not to request individual re-engage- ment until Messrs. Howell and Co. have given the branch, through a deputation, an oppor- tunity of discussing the position, with a view to an amicable settlement." (Applause.) This action on the part of Messrs. Howell and Co., he said, stripped the whole movement of the character of an early closing movement, and brought forward in a distinct manner this issue-Messrs. Howell and Co. said by the notice that the assistants were not to be allowed to have any voice in fixing their hours of labour. By issuing those notices they had raised a question which affected the whole Union. (Hear, hear.) He hoped no one bad sought individual re-engagement—(cheers)— because if the firm could get a suffi- cient number to guarantee the manage- ment of the business they could snap their fingers at the assistants. It appeared to him, however, that Messrs. Howell and Co. felt that if the entire body of assis- tants came out they couid not go on with their business, and whatever action was decided that night he hoped they would stick to it. If the worst came to the worst, the Union had no -option but to stand by them. (Cheers.) They could rely upon at least £2,000 to start with, and they could appeal to the Trades Unionists of the country, who were delighted that the shop assistants were beginning to have sufficient backbone to stand together and make the small demand they were making that night. (Cheers.) As self-respecting men and women, they would stick to the notice which Mr. Howell had given them, and then next week they must refuse to go on with their work. (Cheers.) Mr. W. H. Morris seconded the resolution. and said that if they stiffened their backs properly they were bound to come out on the right side. The Chairman, in putting the resolution, again urged them to weigh well the result of their action, and if they carried the resolution, he urged them to stick together and refuse to accept re-engagement until the firms affected had discussed the matter with the deputation to be appointed. The resolution was then put to the meeting, and carried unanimously. • Mr. E. Williams, a vice-president of the branch, then proposed the following resolu- tion:— "That this meeting respectfully requests Messrs. Howell and Co. and Messrs. Morgan and Co. to receive a deputation, consisting .)f Mr. M'Pherson, Mr. T. Spencer Jones, and Mr. E. Williams, to lay before them the grievances of their employes as submitted to the Union, and, failing satisfactory agreement, that the matter be referred to three arbitrators-one selected by the firms in question, one by the Union, and the third by mutual consent of the two former." He said that if Mr. Howell had not taken the action he had this matter would have been discussed on Tuesday night, and probably the same line of conduct followed. They hoped to gfet a reply: to this request by return of post, so that the question could be settled as early as possible. Mr. T. Francis seconded the resolution, and expressed the hope that the dispute would still be amicably settled. The resolution -was then put to the meeting, and carried without dissent. The Chairman then asked for instructions on behalf of the deputation, and it was decided that the gentlemen named be requested to press for seven o'clock closing. They did not make any new demand, but simply that they should revert to the Old system of closing at seven o'clock. m The Chairman proposed, with the utmost regret, the following resolution:- That this meeting expresses its surprise that Messrs. Howell and Co., in a foot- note appended to the collective notice dismissing their employes, should have threatened several whom they say are well known with instant dismissal without a reference. ('Shame.') It further considers such action most unjust, and desires to inform the public that the effect of dismissal without ar reference is to effectually prevent those dis- missed from obtaining employment elsewhere." He did not intend to make any fiery speech, but simply to make a milfi, but emphatic, pro- test against the action of Mr. Howell. The resolution was seconded by an assis- tant, and carried.. A vote of thanks was afterwards accorded to the chairman, who, in reply, requested the assistants to be even more assiduous in their duties during this week than ever. While they had. undoubtedly, certain rights, he urged them not to forget that they had certain obli- gations, and they should strive to perform their respective duties without complaint, in the hope that a peaceful settlement might be arrived at. The meeting then terminated. MR. HOWELL WILL RECEIVE A DEPUTATION. In accordance with the resolution passed at Monday night's meeting of shop assistants, a letter was sent to Mr. James Howell asking him to receive a deputation to discuss the present position of affairs. This letter was received in due course by Mr. Howell on Tuesday morning, and, after consideration, he told the chairman of the branch, Mr. A. Pearse, who is a carpet buyer in Mr. Howell's employ, and also the secretary of the Trades' Council, that he would meet a deputation on certain conditions. Hitherto negotiations had been conducted between him- self and Mr. Pearse, Mr. Spencer Jones, and Mr. Parr, and it was desirable that those mem- hers should meet him again. The discussion, however, must take place at the Town-hall, in the presence of the Mayor, two members of the Trades' Council, and the representatives of the press. It was explained that Mr. Parr, the local secretary, was away from home, and the probability i?.. therefore, that the general secretary of the Union (Mr. J. M'Pherson) will act m his place, DATE OF MEETING FIXED. The date of the meeting between' Messrs. James Howell and Morgan and the deputation appointed by the shop assistants has been fixed for Friday afternoon, at three o'clock, at the lown-hall. It is probable that the Union will include the local secretary in the place of one of the members selected on Monday evening, in accordance with Mr. Howell's wish. In the meantime the position of affairs will remain unaltered, but Mr. J. McPherson, the general secretary of the Union, will be re- quested to remain in Cardiff to await even- tualities. The conference will take place in the presence of the mayor, and Councillors Jenkins and Chappell will probably act on behalf of the Trades' Council. INTERVIEW WITH MR. HOWELL. Mr. Howell, in conversation with one of our representatives on Tuesday morning, stated that, notwithstanding the observations' of Mr. Spencer Jones, he was convinced that it was intended to bring about a. strike at his esta- blishment. and by acting as he had done he believed he had taken the best course, not only in his own interests, but in the interests of the assistants themselves. If the latter left voluntarily, it would be stated so in their refe- rences, but if they left in a body on strike that fact alone, he believed, would prevent them from obtaining employment elsewhere. He had had letters of sympathy from people he did not know and also applica- tions for situations The officials of the Shop Assistants' Union were trying to shift the ground of the dispute from early cloeing to an attack on their organisation, but this was not the cas*. It was a question of early closing and nothing else. Mr. Howell further added that he was prepared to meet tha deputation. but there must be no "hole, and corner" meetings. Whatever was done must be in the presence of responsible repre- sentatives of the public, so that the whole of the facts might' become known. LETTER FROM MR. JAMES HOWELL. Slt,-The present leaders of the National Union of Shop Assistants are, by their under- handed actions, endeavouring to make the public believe that I am opposed to early. closing, viz., at seven o'clock, hence the cause of this letter. I at once declare and challenge any member of the Union to prove that I have not at all times been in favour of shortening the hours of labour in shops, and have done more for the movement than all the assistants in Cardiff. In fact, nine years ago I sent all my men to a meeting in a coffee-tavern in St. Mary-street to vote in a body for the seven o'clock movement, which the meeting sup- ported, and it was carried ona-nimoosly. This "can be proved by many of my old employes. and I have repeatedly urged the present leaders
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CARDIFF OPPOSITION TO THE…
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CARDIFF OPPOSITION TO THE TELEPHONE rILL. The Cardiff Chamber of Commerce held their monthly meeting at the Exchange on Wednes- day morning, Mr. John Andrews, the president. occupying the chair.—-Mr. Andrews stated that he had written Mr. J. M. Maclean, M.P., asking him to support the views of the chamber on the telephone question, and that the hon. member had replied that he must support the Government Bill. Mr. Alfred Thomas. M.P. had written stating that he would support-the views of the chamber. The members would notice in the morning papers that the second reading of the Bill had been carried on the previous night, and they would he pleased to see that a great deal more opposition was 6hown than on the introduction of the mea,sure,
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At a special meeting of the Monmouth Towa Council on Wednesday, the mayor (Colonel J. Walwyn) presiding, a general district rate of 35. in the £ was approved. „
EARLY CLOSING AT CARDIFF.…
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to have processions in breaks, with bands, Ac., under police supervision or protection, and I have offered to pay and have paid for the breaks, but for the last two years little or nothing has been done for early closing until Messrs. Morgan and I agreed to keep open for half an hour longer during the fine weather, when the public could not be expected to come shopping in the afternoon owing to the exces- sive heat. This little change is the great cffcnce for which I am now persecuted. I have been told by the chairman or president of the Union, Mr. A. Pearse, who is in my employ as carpet buyer, that he endeavoured to persuade the committee not to pass any resolution with regard to the young people going out, but that it was carried by outside votes. With regard to early closing, my opinion is that it will never become general until we get an Act of Parliament, and I for one shall rejoice when it has been passed. Why should all the shops throughout the town, especially those in a main thoroughfare like Queen-street, keep open nightly until e;ght o'clock and after and we close at seven? Surely such firms as Messrs. David Evans and Co. (Limited), who are supported by and have Messrs. Solomon Andrews and Sons, as part- ners, can afford to close at seven o'clock. This firm I canvassed personally, and they promised to do so, and this I reported to Mr. Pearse. All we want is a measure of equality. Many may be surprised, and would ask why it was that I gave one week's notice to all my assistants ex- cepting married men. This was done because I was given to understand (in confidence) that a movement was on foot to arrange for a strike at my establishment. I at once determined to test the question by giving myself an oppor- tunity of explaining matters, and also that those who are opposed to my principles of trading may leave my employ with good characters.—I am, &c., JAMES HOWELL. P.S.—Since writing the above I have seen the report of Mr. Spencer-Jones's speech at Ponty- pridd, where he states that everything had been done. This I deny, ..and I have cften spoken to Mr. Pearse on the subject, warning him of the consequences. I have never objected to Mr. Seccombe, or any other shop, excepting Messrs. David Evans and Co. (Limited), and this I think the public will admit is right, well knowing the true pushing character, of my friend, Mr. Solomon Andrews. As Mx. Seccombe's name has been introduced I believe that had he been approached in a proper and gentlemanly manner he would now be one of the strongest supporters of early closing. WHAT THE OTHER SIDE SAYS. Mr. Spencer Jones, who was the chairman of Monday night's meeting of shop assistants, told our -representative that the question now in dispute originated amongst the assistants of Messrs. Howell and Morgan themselves. They came to the branA meeting and complained of the action of their employers, and asked the officials to take the matter up. The inten- tion of the latter was to see Mr. Howell and Messrs. Morgan in the matter, and in the meantime those who had grievances were requested to send in their names to the com- mittee. That committee was to meet, on Tuesday night n the ordinary course, but Mr. Howell took the initiative and posted the notice to all umparried assistants. Of course, this was in consequence of Mr. Howell learning that the assistants were signing the document referred to, and his action was now the source of all the trouble. He (Mr. Spencer Jones) would not dispute the fact that the employes said that, unless they could remedy the exist- ing state of affairs, they intended leaving, but it was not intended to have an organised strike. Nothing of the kind was even thought of. "How many people are affected by these notices?" "Oh. I should think about 150," said Mr. Jones, or probably a few more." The married men are exempted, and they number about 30. Of course, in the event of a lock-out, those who are members of the Union will be expected i to come out also, and if they are true to the Union they will do so. In his letter Mr.1 Howell says he has never objected to Mr. Seccombe or any other shop, except David Evans and Co. (Limited), keeping open. Mr. Seccombe gave us trouble before David Evans and Co. opened there, and whenever we have had communications with Mr. Howell the argument has been 'Seccombe. Seccombe, Seccombe,' right through. Mr. Seccombe him- self, in the interview published in Monday's issue of this paper, refers to negotiations between himself and the secretary. It is only fair, however, to say that his remarks do not refer to any present official of the Union. Further, none of Mr Seccombe's assistants are members of the Union now." WHAT MR. SECCOMBE SAYS. Mr. George A. Seccombe, the Queen-street draper, on being asked to explain his position on the subject of early closing readily con- sented to do so. "To a certain extent," he said. "there has been a duel between the Early Closing Association and myself ever since I came to Cardiff, seven or eight years ago. When I first commenced business here I was told that seven o'clock closing was the rule, and I did the same, but I soon found out that the other drapers in Queen-street did not close at seven. I then wrote to the. secretary, and told him that unless the others closed punc- tually I should keep open later myself. The outcome of the correspondence which then took place was that early closing in Queen- street was nominally, but not practically, in force. The general idea. was that seven o'clock closing prevailed, but, as a matter of fact, it was nearly eight before the shops were closed. I then told the secretary that I would not keep my place closed and see the customers trooping into other houses, and since that time I have kept open later than seven. On some nights I close at 7.45, at others at eight o'clock, and in the winter months I close at half-past seven. What annoyed me first of all was the secretary of the Early Closing Association, who came to me soon after I commenced business, and threatened me that if I did not close at the hour fixed by the association they would drive me out of the town. He said they had shut up bigger and more influential men than I was, and they would do the same to me. Well, the upshot of it was I refused to close at their hour, and I have since been the object of a great deal of unlawful attention. I have been inundated with circulars from various societies threatening to withdraw their support, and, as you know, there have been all sons of professions and hootings and that sort of thing. I have had my shop front pelted with rotten eggs, and crowds of young fellows have assembled night after night, not only dis- tributing bills, but using physical force in some instances to prevent customers going into the shop. There is not the slightest doubt they have done their worst, and in many cases 'hey have overstepped the bounds of the law. In fact, if I had been so disposed I could have taken action, but I considered, on the whole, that the attention I received was a good adver- isement." "Do you believe in the early closing move- ment. Mr. Seccombe?" "Yes, provided it is a general closing, the same as on Wednesday afternoon. But I want, not only the drapers in St. Mary-street and Queen-street to close, but the suburban •^hops as well.. My position is this, and I think you will find it perfectly logical: If Messrs. Howell and Morgan, who are men of very considerable means and influence, find that they cannot afford to close at I ieven while we in Queen-street keep open till half-past seven, how can we afford to close while the drapery establishments in Roath and Canton are keeping open till nine? As a matter of fact, the hour between half- past six and half-past seven is the busiest of the day. and we take more than double the money in that time than we do in any other hour." "Is this your own view, or are you sup- ported by the other Queen-street firms?" "It is not only my opinion, but I am sup- ported by the other drapers in the street. I believe they all keep open later than seven. and as long as they do so I shall do the same." "Are you prepared to close if other establish- ments agree?" "Yes. Notwithstanding the unfair treatment I have been subjected to. I am in sympathy with the Early Closing Association as a matter of principle, but my standpoint has been. and is still. that if Messrs. Howell and Morgan cannot afford to give us half an hour, we cannot affoid to give the outside drapers an hour or two hours, or, in other words, make them a present of the best hours of the day." "Do your assistants belong to the Union?" 'I think they do. but I know they are entirely satisfied with their position, and approve of my action.. Nearly the whole of my staff have been with me since came to Cardiff, and that, I think, speaks for itself. It is rarely anyone leaves me, except to get married." THE POSITION OF THE UNION. A member of the Shop Assistants' Union, after dealing with the .progress made by the association, writes as follows .—"For the past two years Messrs. Howell and Co. and Messrs. Morgan and Co. have complained of the unfair advantage reaped by their trade competitors in Queen-street, and they have ca more than one occasion threatened to revert to a later hour. This they have new put. into operation, being convinced that there is no possibility of obtaining the adhesion of Queen-street trades- men to the seven o'clock rule. The branch 9f the Union frankly admits the absolute failure of its efforts, and the assistants have bean definitelv told that if thav wish to retain the earlier hour they must adapt ordinary Trades Union methods, and demand a limitation of their hours of labour. This advice was sub- mitted in the form of a, resolution at thu private meeting held on Tuesday last, and wa.s adopted with remarkable unanimity. Of ttye 50) members in the Union, over 330-a re employed by Messrs. Howell and Messrs. Morgan, and most of these were present at the meeting in question. Only one dissentient was found to the course suggested, a fact which, if it means anything, means that unless the firms affected accede to the de-mand to be made for a return to seven o'clock, Cardiff will have the distinction of the first strike of shop a;.sistan, 5 recorded in this country. But it is to b* hoped that wise counsels will prevail on both sides. The officials are confident Gf a satisfactory arrangement, and disclaim any desire to adapt a threatening attitude tow,ards Messrs. Howell and Messrs. Morgan, whom they give credit for considerable Bupport iu the early closing movement. The position taken ,up by the local committee is this: Tha members of the branch continually protest against the gradual extension of their hours, and their-i)ro. tests have amounted to threats to cease their membership unless something is done to main- tain seven o'clock as the closing hour.- The committee reply by saying that everything has been done that can be done on the old lines, and that the members affected must now take the matter into their own hands, and say definitely whether they are prepared or not to revert to the old conditions. The members having given a decided 'No.' the Union has no option but to place its resources at their dis- posal in their legitimate demand for reasonable hours of work. A large number of young Indies employed by the firms in question are said to be very warm supporters of the course which has been adopted." TRADES' COUNCIL AND EARLY CLOSING. At a meeting of the executive committee of the Trades' Council held on Monday night. Mr. A. Pearse referred to the difficulty that had cropped up on the question of early closing, and it was decided that, in the event of an amicable settlement not being arrived at between Messrs. Howell and Morgan and their assistants, Messrs. J. Jenkins and Chappell should request the mayor to convene a meeting of tradesmen in order to come to a definite understanding on the question of early closing. MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE. 1> A meeting of the executive committee of the Cardiff branch of the National Shop Assis- tants' Union was held at the Central Hotel, Cardiff, on Tuesday evening, under the presi- dency of Mr. A. Pearse. There was a full attendance of members, Mr. J. M'Pherson, the general secretary being also present.—After a statement by Mr. Pearse in reference to his interviews with the mayor and Mr. Howell, the committee decided to adopt the suggestion of a conference instead of the deputation agreed upon by the members at their meeting on Monday night; and it was resolved that the following communication be sent to Messrs. Howell and Morgan: — "The committee of the Cardiff branch having carefully considered the fact that Messrs. Howell and Morgan, through Mr. Pearse. the president, had declined to receive the deputa- tion appointed by the public meeting on Monday night, it is resolve?, to inform Messrs. Howell and Morgan that this committee will agree to substitute the name of Mr. Parr in the place of Mr. Williams, who is willing to retire in favour of Mr. Parr, because the committee believe that Mr. Parr would have been selected had it not been intimated that he could not be present. In the case of Mr. Jones, his election was the deliberate selection of the meeting, and the committee decline to accept the respon- sibility of asking Mr. Jones to stand aside. The committee, however, accept the responsibility of agreeing to the request of Messrs. Howell and Morgan that Mr. Pearse should form one of the deputation on the condition that Mr. Jones is accepted by Messrs. Howell and Mor- gan." Mr. Pearse explained that Messrs. Howell and Morgan objected to the constitution of the deputation on the ground that Messrs. Jones and Williams were outside the trade. The other business was of a private character. MEETING OF BARRY BRANCH. At a meeting held on Tuesday evening of the executive of the Barry branch of the National Union of Shop Assistants, the fol- lowing resolution was unanimously passed — "That this meeting of the executive of the Barry branch endorse the action of the Car- diff branch in relation to Me,sr8. Howell and Messrs. Morgan, and pledge ourselves to sup- port them, morally and financially, and we hope that all members will stand frm to their principles.A copy of the resolution, s,gned by Mr. W. S. Lewis (chairman) and Mr. Ernest Honey (secretary), has been for-. warded to the Cardiff branch. —————