LABOR PROBLEMS

Evening Star, Issue 16994, 17 March 1919, Page 6

LABOR PROBLEMS

THE COAL COMMISSION. INQUIRY NEARLY OVER. MINERS’ HAZARDOUS LIFE. Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, March 15. Mr Justice Sankey states that the Coal 1 Commission’s report will be presented on March 20. ! Giving evidence before the Coal ComI mission, Mr William St raker, secretary of I lire Northumberland (Mines Assoomt-ion, ■ said it was useless to ask the minora to retrain from striking unless the nationalisation of the coal mines was approved, niving tho minors joint control. Mr ; Stinker suecested that- a council of five 1 representatives appointed by the Ministry of Mines and five by tho miners bo empowered to open and work the mines, and toll and distribute the coal. Mr Robertson (chairman of the Scottish Union of Mine Workers) told the Coal Commission that mining was deadlier than ever. There were 1,240 fatalities in the United Kingdom for the decade ending 1916; r.!«p 158.852 non-fatal accidents during 1914. and over 3,250,0 CX) seriously injured in the last 20 years. J March 16 Members of the Mines Comm.Vion were greatlv improved with Mr Robertson’s evidence relating to appalling housing, especially in Scotland, and the necessity for the State providing proper homes. He stated that 20 per cent of the population of Wisbaw lived -a houses nt one room ; 2.763 lived in upwards of five in one room; 1.237 in upwards of six in one room. Numbers were compelled to share beds with consumptives EAILWAYMEN MILITANT. LONDON, March 15. Tho Railwr.ynicn’s Conference passed a resolution refusing a compromise on the national programme, and instructed the executive to inform the Government to that effect- in tho strongest terms. It is understood that the companies offered to make the war increases permanent. The union executive will consider the situation on March 20. Labor’s Triple Alliance confer on March 21. FARM -WORKERS’ DEMANDS. LONDON. March 15. The Agricultural Wages B.jartl failed to settle the Acncalturai Laborers’ Union demands for 2Cs increase weekly. Tho farmers offered ss. q The union officials assert that the position is grave, and demand an inquiry similar to the Coal Commission. ’They liavo summoned a national coutererco for April 12. POLICEMEN’S GRIEVANCES. LONDON, March 15. Cabinet decided not to recognise the Police Union, hut to endeavor to improve the constitution of the men's representative committee. INTERNATIONALISM. WASHINGTON, March 16. The International Labor Commission recommended holding the first Labor Conference at Washington. i CRISIS THIS WEEK. | NATIONALISATION OR NOT? I LONDON, March 16. I (Received March 17, at 9 a.m.) j Mr Elov-d George is closely watching the Labor crisis, and will possibly return to : London on Friday. i Mr Thomas, rs-ilwaymen’s secretary, _in 1 an interview, said: “While lam hoping for the best, the situation looks black. ; The miners and railway-men will insist on tho Government recognising the principle of the nationalisation of mines and railways. SUBURBAN TRAM STRIKE. MELBOURNE. March 17 I (Received March 17, at 10.15 a.m.) ( Owing to a strike among the employees | of tho Prahran and Malvern, Tramway j Trust SCO men are idle. j