Dear Sir—At a meeting of the Otago and Southland Millers' Association held this afternoon, your letter of the 16th ult., was considered. I have been instructed to convey to you the result of the discussion which took place, and which is embodied in the following motion:—"That the Mill Employees' Union be informed in reply to their request for a conference to consider the eight hour system, that this Association cannot see that a conference would be of any benefit, as it is of opinion that it should be left to each millowner to work his mill and make arrangements with his employees as he thinks best. But that the Association is of opinion that it would be for the benefit of all concerned, if arrangements could be made by which all the mills in the Colony should commence work at 6 a.m. on Monday morning, and close down at 1 p.m. on Saturday afternoon."

Trusting that any arrangements that will be made may prove eminently satisfactory to both masters and men.