LABOUR TROUBLES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15238, 27 February 1913, Page 7

LABOUR TROUBLES.

*€OAL MINERS' THREATEN TO STRIKE. - • j AGAINST , THREE SHIFTS. NO NATIONAL STOPPAGE. INSUFFICIENT FUNDS. Cj Telegraph Press Association — Copyright (Received February 26, 11.30 p.m.) London, February 26. The Northumberland miners have asked the Miners' Federation executive what support. it is prepared to give in the event of then ballot resulting in- favour of a strike against the three shifts . system which is the outcome of the Eight Hours Act. Mr. Straker, secretary of the Miners' Association, declares that a national strike is out of the question as the funds are depleted. The federation might, however, he says, give sufficient support to keep the Northumberland men on strike.

Three thousand miners at the collieries at Skelmersdale (Lancashire) have given notice that they will igo out on strike if the non-unionist miners at work do not join the federation. .

MIDLAND RAILWAY DISPUTE.

ANOTHER ONE-MAN CASE.

HINT OF GENERAL STRIKE.

London, February 25.

The Pall Mall Gazette is urging the .Midland Railway Company to enter into negotiations with the Railwaymen's Union concerning the case of the guard Richardson who was dismissed because he refused to take a verbal order from a higher official to take a heavier load than his engine was permitted by the regulations to draw.

Mr. Williams, the secretary of the union, speaking with regard to the threat of the men to go on strike if Richardson is not reinstated, says the crisis is serious. i , ; •., An overwhelming number, of men, he says, demand that Richardson's case be made a test one. Mr. Williams is of opinion that if there be a strike it will inevitably involve all the railways in the country. .