LABOUR DISPUTES.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 11110, 6 May 1911, Page 5

LABOUR DISPUTES.

ALLEGED REIGN OF TERROR

By TelccraDU—Press Association— Oopyrtebt Adelaide, May 5.

A deputation, representing tho Renmark fruitgrowers, waited on the Chief Secretary. (Mr. Wallis), to ask for protection in connection with tho strike there.

The deputation stated that a reign of terror existed. They alleged that crimes, including tho burning of buildings, tho poisoning of water-troughs, and tho shooting of a watchman, had boon committed.

Tho proceedings were stormy, the Government being freely accused of shirking its duty, because it was afraid of a trades hall, threat mado, to tho effect that unless Bio Government gave assistance the people would be compelled to tako the law into their own hands.

Tho Minister claimed that tho Government bad doro its best. If it was proved that more police wero wanted, they would bo sent. STRIKES V. ARBITRATION. Sydnoy, May 5. The Labour Council discussed the question whether industrial disputes should bo settled by compulsory arbitration or by a strike. After a keen debate tho council decided by seventy-seven votes to thirtythree in favour of arbitration. Tho opponents of arbitration fought strongly against surrendering tlio right to strike, claiming that arbitration had not proved an effective weapon.

Tlio supporters of arbitration dubbed strikes as barbarous, inhuman, and primitive. No strike, they argued, could succeed with tho imperfect union organisation of to-day, ABOLITION OF WAGES BOARDS. Brisbane, May 5. A' deputation from the Trades and Labour Council complained to the Minister for Public Works (Mr. Barnes) with regard to tho operation of tho Wages Boards. . Ono speaker declared that thcro was an organised effort throughout Australia to "down unionism." The Minister said he did not think it would be in tho interests of tho community to abolish Wages Boards.