LABOUR.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16732, 15 January 1920, Page 7

LABOUR.

BRITISH RAILWAYMEN. lßeut«'B Teleeraa*.; (Received January 14th, < 15 P I/ON DON, January 13. There will bo nn important interview this afternoon between Sir I'.ric Ged es. Minister of Transport, Sir Robert Home, Minister of Labour, and the eommittco of the railwaymen. Hio railwaymen's representatives n " 5 mitting tho conditions which led to o resolution of tho confercncc. Subsequently the position mn bo aiicussed at a meeting of the p a ' which has been postponed for this " inp, awaiting Mr Bonar Ij-iw s rot from Paris. ... , There appears to bo a conciliatory spirit on both sides, the railway do epat s expressing readiness to meet in Government a considerable way u tno latter manifest a disposition to re-open tho discussion. It is not anticipated that the Government will give way much on its main principles. Later.

Following the rnilwavmen's interview with Sir Eric Ooddes. tho Ministry of Transport has issued a statement that Mr J. IT. Thomas and other representatives of the National Fnion of Railwaymen ft'l'- explained their reasons for rejection of tno offer. Sir Erie Ooddes promised to lav the mafier before Cabinet immediately, and arranged to meet the railwavmon's representatives to-morrow afternoon to announce tho Government's answer. LONDON, January 3. The Government's now offer to the railwnymon is the result of protracted negotiations. The increase in the bonus from 33s to 33q means that tho ordinary porters will £3 weekly, compared with 2?s before the war, with general proportional increases. > The acTeement provides for revision in September on the basis of the cost of living, hut there is to bo no reduction below doublo the pre-war wages.

MARINE ENGINEERS' STRIKE. MR HUGHES TO DECT7>E. BfELBOURNE. January 14. Tho conference of marino engineers and shipowners decided to submit the men's claims to Mr Hushes for decision. [Already many unions in Victoria more or less directly nssociaiecl with waterfront work are feeling tho effects of tho engineers' strike. It is estimated that nearly 3000 workers, including 1500 wharf labourers, .500 seamen, 130 mcmbors of tho Fuel and Fodder Ur.ion, and carters, drivers, and others, :irn idlo. Union officials aro apprehensive of widespread unemployment if the strike continues, necessitating tho revival of the relief committees established during tho seamen's striko.]

A FUTILE CONFERENCE. (Rocoived aJnuary 15th, 1.20 a.m.) MELBOURNE, January 14. Tho Conference of tho shipowners with tho Marino Engineers, with a view to a settlement of tho striko proved futilo.

Tho Shipping Controller informed Mr Hughes that tho engineers declined to compromise on their original demands. Mr Huphes then spent two hours in a talk with tho members of tho Engineers' Executive, but all efforts to an agreement failed. The representatives learo for their homes to-night, and tho striko continues