LABOUR MATTERS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16703, 11 December 1919, Page 9

LABOUR MATTERS.

AMERICAN COAL STRIKE,

PROSPECTS OF SETTLEMENT,

{By Cib'.a—l'r«s Ajtaociation—^ C<sp ;')^V ) VAuiUiiiaa N.i. Ca-le WASHINGTON, December D. Tho Fuel Atuanusuanoa has drastic order* i«r mo conservation « coal. Many uiausiiie? are peUinUOv to operate onlv ior tuiee day* a ut v -' • -Manv auiiiscii;ent placiv. murt bhut a. li o'clock at night. a::d e!o-tnc advertisements must b'j shut down. »~>.iOj;s, w;.ie:.ouses, la.uii'ies, an' ofiive buildings must gro.iiiy, reduce their heat and light consumption. It, is pointed out that 1,10 strike w;ll pic.babiv bo .--eit.i j uur.tn a week the co.il .-tores are so ludiKe l tlia: measures are nooossiry. In Chicago tlio working uay has l»ecn reduced to six and a hah hour*, m oruer to conserve coal. The Railroad Administration has announced that the Imperator will not be allowed to sail to Halifax unless she unloads SCOO ton? of coal. Captain Russell was authorised to bunker L'oCO tons of coal, but loaded 7500 tons instead. Foreign vessels are not permitted to bunker coal at American ports on account of the coal strike.

An intimation that the mine workers had accepted President Wilson's terms for a settlement of the strike was issued, but White House oihcials now explain that this was premature, though acceptance is certain in view of the bitter weather throughout tho country, and tho suffering lrom tho coal shorta S®. It is understood that concessions have been mado to the miners. UNEMPLOYMENT. DECREASE IN BRITAIN. LONDON, Dvcombor S. Unemployment lias speedily declined for many weeks. Ninety per cent-, of the demobilised men have been al>sorbed. The onlv increases in unemployment havo been duo to tho iron moulders' stiiko. There is a marked improvement in London, Birmingham, and Glasgow. LONDON, December 8. Mr Lloyd George, replying to tlio Dischargwl Soldiers' and bailors' Federation. points out that the Treasury has definitely decided tluit the gratuities cannot be increased. Tho Government has done everything possible to assist demobilised men to obtain employment, and tho present position cannot be regarded as unsatisfactory. Out of 4,500.000 demobilised inon, 335,003 are receiving tho unemployment donation. It was recentlv stated in the llouso of Commons that Jo.ooo iron moulders aro still on strike, and it is estimated that 75,000 other workers aro rendered idle in consequence. Tlio ironimiulder.s' striko has boon dragging on for over two months. A cable in tho middle of Septeml>or stated that if tho strike lasted even a few days it would affect several important Allied trades, especially engineering and shipbuilding. It was alleged that tho ironworkers by striking broke the agreement between the engineering employees and 51 engineering nnd imnworking firms, under which i( wn.-i agreed that chances in wages in these trndes should .be dealt with nationally. Other trade unions ohsorved tho agreement loyally. The ironworkers maintained that they acted constitutionally by giving threr weeks' notico to terminate the agreement-. On tho other hand the employers nnd others maintained that the agreement could not constitutionally bo terminated in that manner. Sovornl responsible Lnbonr lenders, ineltiding Mr Arthur Henderson, M.P., opposed the striko. and it was also stated that many of t'no rank and file were luke-worm, or even hostile to it. OFFICERS IN POVERTY. LONDON, November 2-1. While over 1/0 por cent, of former soldiers and women war workers have returned to industrial occupations, there remain 20,000 former ofF.cers, including 12,000 in London, still unemployed. Tho King, Field-Marshal Haig, Ad- j tniral Lord Beatty, and Mr Lloyd Ooorge, wrote to the Lord' Mayor, supporting a meeting held at the Mansion House, at which business men wero urged to make a special effort to reemploy officers in clerical and other work, nnd thus givo them a chance of liroving thnt their war service liau areoly increased their efficiency. Sir Robert Home, Minister for Labour, said that many of them were rednccd to diro povdrty" THE GO-SLOW POLICY. MELBOURNE December 10. Tho Controller of Shipping states that unless tho go-slow tar-tics aro abandoned bv tho Townsville wntorsiders. all sailings for that port will be susDcnded.

A conference of agents of oversea vessels decir'ed that unless the watersiders abandon tho go-slow policy t-bey will suspend all work on their vosscls. ADELAIDE, December 10. As a result of tho men's go-slow policy while loading meat at the Government produce denot. the manager stopped all work until tbo men ogreo to resume at normal speed. GAS STRIKE SETTLED. MELBOURNE. December 10. It is announced that a conference has arrived nt a tentative basis of" settlement in tho gas strike. UNEMPLOYED EX-SOLDIERS. (Received December 11th, 1.30 a.m.) SYDNEY. December 10. A procession of uncmploved returned soldiers, with banners inscribed " Wo want work." " We want bread." "Down with profiteers," held n meeting nt tbo Trades Hill, ard afterwards proceeded to Parliament House. They wcro informed that the Chief Secretary was absent. They then dispersed. THE BREWERS' STRIKE. December 10th. 10.15 p.m.) SYDNEY, December 10. The brewers' strike continues. Both sides aro determined to hold out. The stocks of beer are practically exhausted. [Recently the Sydney brewery employees had their minimum wago increased from £3 10s per week to £4 : now they are demanding an additional 7s per week.] MUSICIANS' STRIKE ENDED. (Received December 10th. 10.15 p.m.) SYDNEY. December 10. Tho musicians' strike has ended. Tho strikers havo accepted the employers' terms, pending the decision of the Court.