LABOUR UNREST.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVII, Issue XLVII, 9 March 1912, Page 5

LABOUR UNREST.

THE SUSKBND TROUBLE. GENERAL STRIKE POSSIPjLE. (United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, March 8. It is understood that th e intentions of the Labour Federation were to some extent announced to-day at a meeting oi tlia Tramway Union. A reporter obtained information to the effect that the president and vice-president of the federation, ifie president of the General Labourers' Union, and .Mr, Scott Bennett (Socialist), addressed meetings, the course of their remarks it is understood they madg it clear that they are •engaged in a campaign of organisation of all unions affiliated or connected with the Federation in the Dominion, and yrhen this is finished, if the Federation is "not recognised by the employers to the extent of granting a conference, the goner \vill sound for a general strike, which if complete, will involve 1700 or 1800 men. AN AUCKLAND PROTEST. AUCKLAND, This Day. The Auckland Brewers*. Wine and Spirit Merchants', and Aerated Water Union resolved to strongly protest against the atcitude of trie rep- . resentatives of the Auckland CityCouncil and outside local bodies towards the Federation of Labour in their refusal to meet the officials of the Federationj and further, against the alliance ibetween the representatives of the citizens of Auckland and organised capital as against organised labour; and against the public funds being used in the interests of one class of the community as. against the other class.

AMALGAMATED RAILWAYMEN. WELLINGTON, March 8. The Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants' biennial conference in Wellington has concluded. Resolutions were adopted- expressing Ikeen appreciation of the able manner in which, the duties connected with the Society's management during the past two years had been performed by the retiring president (Mr. W. A. Veitch), and the -executive council, also the gene-ral-secretary, Mr. M. J. Mack, and the editor of the Society's journal, Mr. C. E. \V heeler. The newly-elected executive council met to-day. Mr. P. Gaines (Balclutha) •was appointed vice-president. Arrangements were completed for taking a ballot of the members to decide whether the A.S.R.S. shall join the unity scheme of Labour organisation propounded by Professor Mills. This scheme in the opinion of the conference, is the best put forward as a basis for general co-opera-tion of workers to secure their desires <by political or other methods. The Society will be represented at a conference of labour delegates to be held at Easter to finally shape the scheme. AMERICAN STRIKE. FATAL RIOTS. CHILDREN IN FACTORIES. (Received March 9. 8.5 a.m.) | WASHINGTON, March 8. j The House Committee on Rules re- j commended an investigation into the American Woollen Company as a result of a strike at Lawrence involving thousands of workmen and culminating in fatal -xiots. The opponents of the company declared that children were obliged to work in factories under disgraceful conditions. PRECAUTIONS IN GERMANY. (Received March 9. 8.45 a.m.) ! BERLIN, March 8. Gendarmes are strengthening the coal districts to protect nOn-strikers .in the event of a strike. Troops have b&n sent to several centres. THREAT TO STRIKE ON MONDAY. (Received March 9. 11-45 a.m.) BERLIN. Friday. The Government has conferred with the miners. It is understood that the leaders urged the Government to cause the mine owners to make -binding a promise to increase wages, otherwise a strike will be declared on Monday. The movement is spreading to Upper Silesia, where the unions are demanding 15 per cent, increase. THE NEWCASTLE MINERS. NO DRASTIC ACTION AT PRESENT SYMPATHY WITH BRITISH MINERS. (Received 10.15 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. The president of the Newcastle Conciliation Committ-e has called a special meeting u-:day. : The delegates to the Boar<J of the Miners' Federation met and discussed the situation. It is considered a satisfactory feature that they have not decided on any drastic action, at least for the present. There is a concensus of opinion amongst members that the delegate to the Board favours a ballot before- anything in the nature of a general strike 16 decided upon. A special meeting of_ the Aberdare Lodge decided that seeing that there is a great upheaval in Britain, clearly nointing to the existence of a class struggle, thev behoved that if the miners in Britain are beaten it will have a tendency to lower the standaid of living in Australia. Therefoie it was resolved that the de'.egate to the Board discuss resolutions that there be no coal produced for any member of the Federation for a port outside Australia. It was further resolved to ask miners in other districts to take similar action, also lumpers -and trimmers : that a demand be made for the abolition of the afternoon shift before March 14; and for a minimum wage of lis a dav. lne miners nledgrd th-msrlves to assist their fellow workers in Britain. The proprietors ar e determined not to change their attitude roEcaroint; the afternoon shift.