WORK AND WAGES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 15862, 27 February 1912, Page 7

WORK AND WAGES.

A LABOUR RIOT. . United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. VANCOUVER, February 25. At Lawrence, Massachusetts, the foreign residents were roused by the police taking children, whose parents were imprisoned in connection with a strike, to the police station. Riotous scenes ensued, and tho militia were called out. There was a fierce affray and a number of arrests were mado. BROKEN HILL HOTEL EMPLOYEES. SYDNEY, February 26. The hotel employees at Broken Hill have struok, excepting those at four hotels and three workmen’s clubs, which are paying the Union log. The hotels aye all closed, excepting one bar, which tho proprietors manage. (Received February 27, 12.55 a.m.) Several hundred employees at Broken Hill hotels and restaurants struck in support of a new log, shorter hours and improved wages. FIREMEN ON STRIKE. ADELAIDE, February-26. The firemen on all the permanent staffs throughout tho State have struck. The Board has made arrangements to man three appliances with volunteers at tho Metropolitan station, and the suburban stations will be proportionately provided. The volunteers were subjected to a hostile demonstration by the strikers, who are picketing the stations, which the polico are guarding. Four alarms were received and the volunteers responded well, but all proved to be false. Tho Fire Brigades’ Board has ordered the managers of all plaoes of public entertainment to appoint men from their staffs to attend to the .fire appliances. The business firms regard the situation \as serious. In the event of a big outbreak it would be impossible with tho depleted staffs to cope with the fire. (Received February 27, 12.55 a.m.) The firemen’s strike is still .unsettled. Both sidos are firm. The Fire Brigades’ Board reports that plenty of volunteers are offering. Applicants approaching stations are accosted by exfiremen pickets and many are induced to change their minds. A movement is afoot among mayors to mediate. The Government will have nothing to do with the matter beyond giving moral support to the Board, which is confident of its ability to carry on and afford tho necessary protection to property.

The City Council discussed the situation. and negatived a resolution condemning tho Board; for locking dut the firemen.

TIMABU HOTEL EMPLOYEES. [Per Press Association.] TIMAItU, February 26. The Conciliation Council sat liero today to arrange the dispute between tho hotelkeepers and tho hotel employees. Tho latter havo a union with headquarters at Christchurch, and tho employers here desired that a separate union should be formed for Timaru, as it was inconvenient to deal with Christchurch. Tho result was a modification of the preference clause to avoid or lessen inoonvenieneo. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr Triggs, tho Commissioned, for the satisfactory way in which he had handled the matter.

ARBITRATION COURT. [Per Press Association.] DUNEDIN, February 26.

_The Arbitration Court will sit at Now Plymouth on March 4, at Christchurch on March 11, at Wellington on March 18, at Napier on March 27, at Wanganui on March 60, and at Palmerston North on April 2. In Wellington applications will be made for increased wages and improved conditions for bootmakers and woollen workers, and for dominion awards. Tho Court will also he asked by the merchants’ assistants to form a basis for grouping the various occupations embraced in the reference.