LABOR'S UNREST.

Mataura Ensign, 30 January 1912, Page 6

LABOR'S UNREST.

Ti-3E COTTD;-3 THQIiBLE. : unions' opiVttcxs. ' j <)T Ki.rn-rßlf. YW.B-K.MS!.-- '"i'YRIGHT ) run nyrrr'.i. »»v™ |'--""ti , ki>; I LONDON. Jan. 29. I The General Federation <;* Traders I Unions in its' ';iiartrrly roport proiosis ! asrainsi the general lock-out which the] '•ctton cv.vploye v .s hnrled every thro the ' labor movement made tewards better j and conditions. This was a I mcup.ee tn trades unionism. If owners, were justified in this then trade unions were justified in striking over the whole country when an employe]- discharged a man for being a trade unionist. Unions were not likely to adopt this policy, as it would compel them to strike in some counties weekly. THE BRITISH COAL-MINERS. A HOPEFUL CONFERENCE. LONDON, Jan. 29. Coal owners and miners are considering the joint committees' reports and the chances of reaching a compromise are considered hopeful. A pamphlet issued by the miners states that the average profit on the ordinary shares of 92 leading coal companies has been 9.6 peiN centum annually for a period of 13 years. BRISBANE TRAMWAYMEN.

HELP FROM SYDNEY. SYDNEY, Jan. 29. The Tramway Employees' Union has voted £IOO to the Brisbane strikers and has authorised a levy on members till the trouble is ended. COMBINED UNION MANIFESTO. BRISBANE, Jan. 29. The Executive of the combined unions has issued a manifesto calling upon workers to do all in their power to fully provide for hospitals and benevolent institutions and not to interfere with the measures usually taken to safeguard the public, such as sanitation, but all other work wherein the 42 unions represented engage must cease work on Tuesday. PREPARING FOR TROUBLE. BRISBANE, Jan. 29. The tramway manager claims that the power-house is again fully manned and working smoothly. He has not replied to the men's letter suggesting a conference. Business houses are laying in extra supplies, fearing a general strike. Ministers are concerned at the outlook and have interviewed both sides. WELLINGTON TRAM TROUBLE. PEE UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION. WELLINGTON, Jan. 29. The executive of the tramway employees meets to-day to consider what action should be taken as a result of last week's ballot. The acting-Mayor doubts whether the men will strike when it comes to the pinch. On the other hand the men seem determined to carry out the effects of the ballot, and are confident of success. A prominent union official states that what is desired is the hearing of the grievance by a. judicial tribunal presided over by a magistrate, they to abide by the decision. The New Zealand Federation of Labor circulated a red and black paper on Saturday exhorting the men to "stand solid," and assuring them of the support of the Federation. It is understood that the civic are making all possible arrangements to maintain the service in the event of an emergency. It has been said that £1 5s a day has been offered for motormen and £1 a day for conductors, with a guarantee of five years' work. ' A DENIAL. WELLINGTON, Jan. 29. The Deputy-Mayor (Mr John Smith) denies that overtures have been made to certain employers in other departments to replace motormeu and conductors, if a strike takes place, at £1 5s per day for motormeu and £1 per day for conductors, with a five years' agreement.