“SOLID” LABOUR

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 June 1922, Page 5

“SOLID” LABOUR

DISORDER AT CONFERENCE.

McGIRR’S CHARGES SHELVED

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. SYDNEY, June 18. The New South Wales Labour Conference has concluded. The last sitting saw some disorderly scenes, arising put of Mr McGirr’s charges against his fellow members in the late Ministry. The report of the committee inquiring into the charges was in favour of Mr McGirr, but the majority of those present were opposed to him. Amid wild disorder as to charges and counter-charges, the conference eventually threw overboard a motion to adopt the report and passed an amendment to refer the whole matter to the incoming Executive. When the President was able to obtain a hearing, he declared the conference closed, and said the result of its labour had been that, labour in the future would be more solid, and a better understand will exist amongst its ranks. Labour prospects for the Federal elections were far brighter than they were for the late State elections.

CHARGES DISPROVED. I I Recd. 1 p.m. SYDNEY, June 19. ! Denials are given to the earlier re--1 ports that the Labour Conference Com- ! mittee’s finding favoured McGirr. It is now stated that his charges were ’ unsubstantiated, and that the four Ministers voted against continuance of tho basic wage, and also that the cau- , cus voted against it. Other charges made by McGirr also were not proven. The report states that the committee exhaustively inquired into the allegation that Premier Storey was inclined to form a coalition with the Nationalists, and unhesitatingly declares there is not the slightest justification for tho charges, which is a grave slander on a man universally respected. The committee added : The dispute occurred during a time of great stress when McGirr probablv tl.<nmht his colleagues were not acting rightly. The committee recommended that strong measures should lie taken to avoid similar disputes in future. SMUTS’S CABLEGRAM. EFFECT ON ELECTIONS. CAPETOWN, Juno 17. In the Union Assembly a question was put to General Smuts by Mr Waterston (Labour Leader) as to why he had sent a cable about the Rand trouble to-Mr W. A. Tlolman (ex-New South Wales Premier), during the New South Wales election. General Smuts said Air Holman, who was a friend of Lis had telegraphed that the revolution was one of the main issues of tho New South Wales elections, and asking what the situation was. He (Smuts) had sent a cablegram in reply. It was almost as colourless a statement of tho situation as could possibly be imagined. A Nationalist member: ‘‘lt had a verv disastrous effect!” General Smuts: “I do not think the disastrous effect was duo to my wire, hut to tho revolution, ami In fl.o collapse of the revolution. That must have had a tremendous effect on Australia, and on every other country. People all over the world wore closely watching those grave hannoinngs. When they saw that tho strike was working up to a revolution, with heavv bloodshed like a war, and noted how tho Union Government dealt with tho situation, in the end, no doubt ’’t made a great impression. That was what must have impressed the electors of Now South Wales, but not my colourless cablegram. Air Sampson (Labour) : That is not tho oninion there! General Smuts: T certainly never thought to bring about the o-ravp tor that befol tho New South Wales Labour Party.” (Laughter) QUEENSLAND RURAL WORKERS. BRISBANE, June 18. The Arbitration Court has reduced the wages of station hands on cattle stations by 10/- per week; those of jackeroos by 7/-; and of youths and females by 5/-. The Judge stated that in December the Court had to reduce the wages 7/-, and had based them on a minimum of £3 per week and keep. Since then, the cattle industry has gone from bad to worse, and the present reduction had to come.

AMERICAN RAILWAYMEN.

NEW YORK, June 17.

The United States Railway Board at Chicago announced a reduction of the wages of railway clerks, signalmen and stationary firemen, ranging from to six cents an hour. It will result in an annual reduction of 27,000,000 dollars in pay. Twelve hundred thousand employees are affected. The Cincinnati Unions affected by the Labour Board’ previous wage reduction have announced a strike vote wiR be taken.

FREEZERS’ STRIKE

(Special to “Star”).

CHRISTCHURCH, June 18.

Apparently the position in the freezing workers’ strike in Canterbury is that the companies are waiting for the Union to move, and the Union is waiting for a move from the companies. The situation is rather Gilbertian, as the men, with the exception of a proportion of the butchers, soundly condemn the strike and blame their Do- , minion organisation for precipitating the trouble. The Canterbury Union executive will have its hands full to keep the men in check unless an early move is made for a resumption of work. There are indications that the strike is not at all popular with other ectionsi of labour throughout the Dominion. There is evidence to show that the employers look to rural interests to come to their aid if necessary, and assist to open the works, and a direct appeal to free labour is not unlikely.