LABOUR UNREST.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16478, 22 March 1919, Page 9

LABOUR UNREST.

RAILWAYMEN'S "WAGES

(By Cable.—Press Afeociation.— Copyright.) (Australian and N.«*, Cnbl» Acsociation.) LONDON, March 20. It is reported that the Government is ■willing to permanently conccde the rail way m en's war advauccs. The'"Daily Express" says that- Mr Lloyd George informed Sir . J.. Thomas that the Government is introducing legislation to nationalise the railways without delay.

A NEW OFFER

(Received March 21st, 9.50 p.m.)

LONDON, March 20

The Railway Executive has made a new offer which the railwaymen are considering to-night. Mr Thomas promises that the sitting will last ail night. [A later message says the meeting adjourned without reaching a decision.]

Mr Bonar- Law stated in the House of Commons that tho Government had offered to tho raihvaymen guarantees that the existing wages and bonuses would bo maintained throughout 1919.

COST OF PROGRAMME.

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.? (Reutor'a Telegrams.)

(Received March 21st, 11.20 p.m.)

LONDON, March 21. The Press Bureau has issued a Board of Trade announcement that the average earnings of railwaymen in 1913 were 23s 6d weekly, and additions since February, 1915, totalled 33s weekly. The increased cost of operating the railways, due to war wages and the eighthour day, was £75,000,000 annually, plus £25,000,000, being the increase in the cost of materials. It is estimated that the cost of the new programme of tho railwaymcn's union, including the perpetuation of war wages, will be ii,t least £100,000,000 annually, or 200 per cent, over pre-war rates. The Government's offer, w.lien negotiations were resumed yesterday afternoon, included the establishment of a joint committee, representing the railway executive and tho two unions, to. deal with questions of pay and conditions of service as they arise. The Government's offer nssures the railwaymen of the continuance of the present earnings during the current year, instead of their having to face a gradual reduction of tho war wage as the cost of living falls. The offer will necessitate an increase of railway rates, but it is hoped that any further great. increase in passenger fares will bo unnecessary.

COAL COMMISSION

THREE REPORTS PRESENTED.

1 (Rculer's Telegrams.) (Received March 21st, 8.30 p.m.) March. 20. In the House of Commons, Mr Bonar Law outlined three reports of the ooal Commission. The first report, signed by the representatives of the miners and Labour, recommended the granting of _the full demands ,of the miners, including nartionalisation. . . , , Tho second report, signed: by the coalowners' representatives, recommcnd an immediate increase jn wages of Bd.per day, and a reduction of hours from eight to seven. The third report, signed by Mr Justice Sankey and employers not directly concerned in the coal industry, recommended an immediate advance in wages of 2s per day, two-thirds of tho men's full demands, a reduction of hours to seven from the middlo of - T uly. and, subject to tlio economic position of the /industry at tho end of 1920, to six hours three months later.

. GOVERNMENT'S DECISION

(Received March 21st, 10.45 p.m.)

LONDON

March 20.

Mr Bonar Law stated in the House of Commons that of the Coal Commission's three reports, the Government would adopt the spirit and letter of the one signed by Mr Justice Sankey and the three commissioners, which recommended an advance of 2a daily, a sevenhours' day immediately and a six-hours' day later. He said the' miners' leaders had never had such a chance and never would have such another. Any strike ■would bo against the community, and the Government would use all its resources to win.

Mr Bonar Law added:—Mr Justice Sankey points out that increased wages, invoived the distribution of, an additional £30,000,000 among the colliery workers, probably without raising pricos to the consumer. Furthermore, that the present system of ownership and working stands condemned, and .either nationalisation or a method of unification by national purchase or by joint control must bo substituted instead. The report recommends that the miners henceforth have an effective voice in the direction of the mines, and condemns tho housing in some districts as a reproach to our civilisation. It suggests the immediato collection of a penny per ton on all coal won, to 'J© applied to housing improvements. Tliif would yield £1,000,000 annually. The Government accepted Mi- Justice Sankey's roport, including the undertaking to report upon nationalisation by May 20 th and the proposal of the Commission to continue to sit and issuo interim reports dealing with improvement*. The Government agreed immediately to carry out the proposals contained in the report. Mr Bonar Law pointed out that this involved the continuance of coal control for two years. The estimated cost of the proposals was £43,000,000.' of which £30,000,000 was obtainable by limiting tho owners' profits to 14 d per ton, leaving a deficit of £13,000,000 to bo sccured by various anticipated economies. He emphasised that the Government had gone to the utmost limits, and would ficrht any strike, as such a struggle would havo only one ending, or there would be an end to government in the country.

COTTON OPERATIVES',, HOURS

(Received March 21st. 10.45 p.m.)

LONDON. March 20,

The conference of tlio spinning and manufacturing sections of the cotton, trade employers informed the operatives that they could not reduce tho hours from 55$ weekly to 44 and pay the existing wages. They suggest 494 hours. They point out the importance of the Japanese and Indian competition, and state that America's competition is also severe. The conference adjourned till April 10th.