LABOUR IN AUSTRALIA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17450, 21 April 1920, Page 7

LABOUR IN AUSTRALIA.

DEMANDS MENACE INDUSTRY. COAL MARKETS LOST. A. and N.Z. SYDNEY. April 20. Dr. Robertson, mining engineer, giving evidence before the Coal Commission, expressed the opinion that in view of the almost complete loss of oversea markets a further reduction of working hours would be fatal to the collieries. Owing to the reduction of hours and senseless stoppages the Australian collieries would presently be dependent for their trade on the requirements of Australia and New Zealand only. The Federal Government would give the coal owners no encouragement. They supplied their warships with coal from New Zealand of no better quality than Australian. The merit of tnis coal seemed to be that it cost four times as much as Australian. At no time in history has the position of the Australian collieries been more perilous. LIMITATION OF HOURS. EMPLOYERS' UNION SUGGESTED. A. and N.Z. ADELAIDE. April £0 At the annual conference of the Chambers of Commerce the president, in his address, stated that, although wages had increased by 90 to 100 per cent, since 1911, the efficient value of the wage had increased by less than 5 per cent. The only remedy for this was increased production. The almost universal attempt to limit the hours of work afforded employers an opportunity for strong opposition which should not be allowed to pass. An employers' union would be shown more respect than the individual employer. The address also urged the removal of war restrictions. UNEMPLOYMENT IN SYDNEY. THE DROUGHT AND STRIKES. A. and N.Z. SYDNEY. April 20. There are between 6000 and 8000 unemployed in Sydney as a result of the drought and strikes. Factory employees are demanding a forty-hours' working week of five days, without reduction in wages. The Employers' Federation reiterates its intention to oppose any reduction in working hours. BROKEN HILL STRIKE. ' EMPLOYERS MAKE AN OFFER. A. and N.Z. SYDNEY. April 20. Broken Hill mine owners have offered the employees, who b»ve been on strike for nearly twelve months, an increase in wages of 2s a day, improved working conditions, the establishment of a co-opera-tive store to supply necessaries at cost price, and a reduction of working hours.