FRANCE.
Maoriland Worker, Rōrahi 4, Putanga 136, 12 Mahuru 1913, Page 8
Mō tēnei niupepa
FRANCE.
In its effort to put an end to the anti-military agitation the Government has adopted a new and desperate measure. They have had 12 trade unionists in Paris and a number in the provinces arrested on the plea that same have been guilty of serious offences in connection with the antimilitary demonstrations in the army. A round 12,000 of the 50,000 municipal workers have been promised improved conditions as regards their pensions for many years. At present these workers can claim a pension of between 600 and 700 francs per year. According to the new project the workers will receive a pension of 1250 francs; female workers 800 francs, at 55 years of age; men engaged in the flushing of drains, etc., to receive a pension upon reaching the 50th year. The carriage workers' strike broke up after lasting two weeks, as the employers showed no sign .of giving way as legards the granting of the free Saturday afternoon and increased wages. The free Saturday afternoon will still be attempted by the workers who will leave work altogether mid-day on Saturday and return the following Monday morning.
A conference of the trade unions affiliated to the Trade Union National Centre las taken place in Paris for the purpose of settling the question of district trades councils. It was decided to divide the whole land into a gvetrb number of districts, at the heads of which should be direct representatives of the National Centre. All organisations should be compelled to belong to the district unions. Upon the proposition of the metal workers, it was decided that the coming international conference of trade union national centres should dieal with the questions of the foreign workers in France, in view of the possible augmented influx which is expected consequent upon the new military law coming into force.
