LABOUR MATTERS.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18368, 29 April 1925, Page 9

LABOUR MATTERS.

RAILWAYMEN'S DEMANDS. A CRISIS THREATENED. JBJ CABLE- -PBKS3 ASSOCIATIOS—COPTSIOHT.) (KBTJTKI'S TBLEQBAIIS.)

LONDON, April 27.

Mr Dobbie, president of the National Union of Kaihvaymen, speaking at Hacknall, predicted an early crisis and an unparalleled situation in the railway world. Ho said that the men would present to the companies the first programme of minimum conditions ever demanded, including claims on behalf of all railway workers in Great Britain. He further predicted that tho companies would reject tho programme.

The companies, he said, complained that they would havo to pay dividends out of reserve funds, but it was hotter to pay wages out of tho reserve than to pay dividends to those who did not work.

SEAMEN'S UNION.

ACTION FOR DEREGISTRATION.

(ATTSTBALIAS? AM) K.Z. CABLX A880CIATI0S.)

SYDNEY, April 28

In consequence of the hold-up of tho Levuka much inconvenience has been caused tho passengers numbering 250.

It is stated tliat tho action of the seamen is intended, as a retaliation for tho proceedings against Jacob Johannscn on a charge of counselling certain people to strike, Johannsen, who was acting-seeretary of the Seamen's Union, pleaded not guilty, and the hearing was adjournod until May Ist. Tho action arose out of tho holding up of tho steamer. Levuka on a former occasion. Au application for the dcregistration of tho Seamen's Union has bee* mado to the Arbitration Court, Melbourne, on tho ground that tho Union refused to supply a crew for tho steamor Eromanga at Sydney. Other grounds are also stated.

THE BUILDING INDUSTRY.

(austkaliak and k.z. cabli association.)

LONDON, April 27,

Tho Court of Enquiry investigating the causes of threatened disputes in connexion with tho construction of steel houses reported that tho fear that the adoption of such a scheme would unduly compete with the recognised building industry was groundless since tho enormous need of houses cannot be made up in many years, whatever scheme is adopted. Tho report generally concludes that "the scheme for steel honses marks a serious attempt, conceived along scientific lines, to organise productive power to meet an urgent need.