WORK AND WAGES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXII, Issue 15715, 7 September 1911, Page 7

WORK AND WAGES.

RAILWAY TROUBLE IN AUSTRIA. United Props Association— By —ecliio Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, September 5. Five hundred delegates of railwaymen’s organisations from ail parts of Austria met in Vienna and favoured a demand for 20 per cent increase in wages, owing to the general rise in the cost of living. Some of the speakers foreshadowed a general strike similar to that in Britain, blit a final general meeting of tho employees decided to submit the demand to the Government, without any threats of n strike. FRENCH STRIKE RIOT. A message from Paris says that the weavers on striko at llallium attacked a mill employing strike-breakers, several of whom were severely injured. Gendarmes charged tho rioters, injuring a scoro. HARDLY TREATED. Mr Thomas Burt, M.P., in a circular addressed to the Northumberland miners, says that be feels that the North-Eastern Railway Company was hardly treated in the strike. Tho great initial mistake was in giving only one day’s ultimatum, and not allowing time for negotiations. THE OSBORNE JUDGMENT. The Trades Unions’ Congress decided not to accept tho Government’s Bill arising out of the Osborne judgment, unless it is amended to embody a complete reversal of the judgment. LABOUR TRIBUNALS. Mr W. P. Reeves, at the British Association meeting, urged the establishment of State tribunals similar to those in Now Zealand, for settling strikes. ILLINOIS CENTRAL RAILWAYMEN A New York message says that the president of tho Illinois Central railway has refused to meet tho employees, who demand the recognition of tho unions, and a strike is imminent. STRIKE AT BRISTOL. Tho majority of tho lockgate men at Bristol and Avonmouth struck because other men did not join tho trade unions. (Received September 6,. 9.15 p.m.) LONDON, September 5. Tho dock striko at Bristol has boon settled, the non-unionists joining the union THE WELSH RIOTS. Forty-six colliers and their wives were sentenced to terms of imprisonment ranging from twenty-eight to ninety days, for rioting at Tredegar. Tho prosecution said the rioting was duo to a desire for loot, and not to antiSemitism. THE LABOUR CONGRESS. LONDON, September 5. There was a scene at tho Labour Congress over tho presence of a Board of Trade delegate. A warm debate ensued on a motion protesting against tho patronage of tho Government, which bludgeoned them, and placed tho military at tho service of tho railway magnates. Tho motion was negatived by a largo majority, but a resolution was carried protesting against Mr Winston Churchill’s policy, and demanding an inquiry regarding alleged military and police excesses in tho recent strike.

There was a demonstration at the Trades Union Congress, particularly against Mr Shackleton and Mr Cummings. Moderate speakers defended their presence.

(Received September 7, 12.30 a.m.) LONDON, September 6. The Trado "Union Congress instructed the Parliamentary Committee to urge Parliament to nationalise the railways.

Mr Shaw, representative of tho Northern Weavers’ Union, was cheered on reminding tho Congress of previous resolutions in favour of a Ministry of Labour, adding that the presence for the first time of a Home Office representative was entirely apart from any Government Act dealing with the strike.

A resolution condemning tho invitation to Mr Shackloton and Mr Cummings was defeated by a large majority.

Professor S. J. Chapman foreshadowed an era of strikes in Britain and serious industrial disturbances for threo or four yeat-3. He suggested strengthening the Board of Trade’s powers, mailing intervention usual and rendering strikes and lock-outs impossiblo until an official had l heard the efrider.ee of both sides and ondcavoured to effect a settlement.

THE CLYDE SHIPPING TRUST. LONDON, September 5.

Mr Raeburn, vice-chairman of tho Clyde Shipping Trust, in a speech at Glasgow said that if the power to strike wero admitted, power to abstain fixmi striking must bo regarded as sacred. Employers bad tho remedy. Sympathetic strikes could closo all works and bring ships to their moorings.

THE LITHGOW STRIKE. SYDNEY, September 6,

The position at Litligow is quiet. Both parties aro determined. Mr M’Gcwen lias asked both sides to meet him to-morrow to discuss tho situation with a view to arranging a settlement.

EMPLOYERS’ FEDERATION.

SPEECH BY THE PRESIDENT. MELBOURNE, September 6. At tho annual meeting of tho Emil o; ers I deration, it was stated that there had been seventy-six main - and twelve subsidiary strikes in Australia for the year ended Juno 30. Tho president declared that unless the Labour party was better advised it might do irreparable damage to the country. Employers iv eio harassed in every conceivable diiection. Great efforts aro now being made to place thorn in subjection to tlie Union bosses, and they have strenuously resisted.

[Pen Press Association.] WELLINGTON, September G. Applications for exemotions from the boilermakers’ award by tho Wellington Harbour Board, the Union biream Ship Company and the builders employed iii structural stc-cl works were strongly opposed by tho ironmasters reprosentativo before the Arbitration Court today. Mr Jusuce Sim criticised the ahuso of tho preference system Tho ironmasters contend that the Union Company is entering into competition

with private employers by repairing steamers. Regular builders were undertaking in stool-frame structures work hitherto done by legitimate engineers. Unless tho tendency was checked tho engineering trade would lie freed with ruin. The Court reserved its decision on the application ior exemption.

CANTERBURY LABOURERS’ UNTON.

A meeting of the Canterbury Labourers’ Union was held at the Trades Hall on Tuesday evening, Mr E. «J. Howard presiding. A grievance in connection with tho dismissal of certain men from the tramway construction works was discussed, and the president and secretary wero appointed to interview the general manager in. connection with this matter. Tlie following resolution was unanimously adopted:—“That t-nis Union expresses its sympathy with the Tramway Employees’ Union and trusts that the efforts to have* their grievances redressed will be successful; that the Labourers’ Union pledges itself to do all in it's power to assist its fellowunion ists to attain tho desired result, and that the. Union offers the services of the president, Mr FI. J. Howard, as a speaker at the public meeting that is being convened by tho Tramway Employees’ Union.” The matter of tlio removal of the cabs from tho Triang.e was discussed a.id the following rpso.u* fcion was carried : Thai this h nion expresses its sympathy with five efforts of the cabmen to retain their cabstands and condemns the,action ot Councillors Hunter. Burgo.vne and \Y. iff Smith for voting in tho City Council to remove them from the Triangle.” A notice of motion was tabled m the direction of holding weekly meetings instead of fortnightly, also a notice of addition to rules to more clearly define “ membership.”