LABOUR UNREST.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1234, 16 September 1911, Page 5

LABOUR UNREST.

BRITISH RAILWAY DISCONTENT. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, September H. Tlio Executive of the Amalgamated Society of Hallway Servants is sitting daily to consider the difficulty which has arisen owing to some of tlio companies contending that tile recent agreement only covers the interpretation of the existing, award, and does not cover the hours and wages definitely fixed by such awards until 1914. Jlaiiy sectional. meetings of railway employees during the week passed resolutions threatening another strike unless higher wages and shorter hours are granted. THE STRIKE COMMISSION. EMPLOYERS' SIDE OF THE CASE. London, September 14. Before the Strike Commission, the caso for the companies has opened. Tho assistant manager of the London North-Western Company stated the unions only represented 27 per cent, of tho railway men. Tho most 6erious aspect of the caso was the demand recognition. If granted it would mean a lowering of tho standard of discipline. The chief factor in the rccent unrest was tho extravagant hopes fostered by tho unions. The companies had accepted a conciliation scheme in order to secure a prolonged peace.

LIMITING THE OUTPUT. (Hec. September 15, 9.15 p.m.) London, September 15. The assistant manager of tlio London and North-Western Railway, continuing his evidence, admitted that there had been some delay in the creation of the conciliation boards. This was duo to the companies desiring to understand the working of the scheme before starting the machinery. A section of the men had been educated into referring everything to the Conciliation Board instead of to 'the directors. ' With reference to the cost of tho scheme, his company had offered to bear tho cost, but the Railwavmen's Society refused. Tho unions demanded tho abolition of bonuses in order to limit the individual output, thus depriving the men of from two shillings to five shillings weekly. Tho witness suggested abolishing the Central Board, thus increasing tho importance of tho sectional boards. He also favoured tho annual appointment of permanent arbitrators.

POST OFFICE DISAFFECTION. London, September 11. Disaffection among the postal officials in the provinces is widespread. It has been aggravated by tho reported lowering of wages in a thousand offices. . FRENCH DOCKYARD DISPUTE. Paris, September li. . The dockyard men at Brest announco that they ivill prevent tho launch of. tho battleship Jean Bart until a rise in wages is granted them. THE LITHGOW RIOTS. . ' Sydney, September 15. At tho Police Court, seven men were charged with participating in the recent Lithgow riots! They were committed for trial. Two others, charged witli interfering jvitli witnesses, we're fined. The Government proposo to prosecute Mr.' Hoskins and bis manager over the striko. WHEAT HANDLERS' DISPUTE.' Sydney, September 15. Owing to tbo wlieat handlers' trouble meat shipments are being diverted to Melbourne. A MINERS' UNION FINED. (Rec. September 16, 1 a.m.) . Perth, SeptomboT 15. The Collie Miners' Union has been held responsible for a strike kesping the mine idle for three days, and has been fined •CGO.