SYDNEY AGITATORS

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 7494, 13 September 1920, Page 3

SYDNEY AGITATORS

Urge Extreme Action B.y TeloEraoh—Press Association—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association Rec Sept 13, morning

Sydney, Sept 12 The position of the iron trades over the demand for a forty-four hour week and no Saturday work is still uncertain. In some sections of the trade many men worked yesterday while in other sections the bulk of the employees absented themselves. The employers show a solid front in resisting the demands and declare their intention of closing down if the demands are persisted in. At a mass meeting of persons engaged in the trades involved speeches were made advocating following the example of the I Italian workers by taking over and running the shops. One speaker said : "If we are locked out we will work the shops and piy the bosses." More moderate speakers disclaimed extreme action and foreign methods The meeting adjourned till next Saturday, as it is impossible to declare :a policy straight out until negotiations with the Government over the question of shorter hours reach finality.