INDUSTRIAL STRIFE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7976, 6 December 1911, Page 7

INDUSTRIAL STRIFE

VOLUNTEER POLICE

STATEMENT BY HOME SECRETARY.

By Teletrraph—Press Association —Copvriffbl-

(Reoeiyed December o, 9.25 p.m.) LONDON, December o.

Mr R. McKenna, Secretary for Home Affairs, promised to consider a suggestion to issue an explanation of tho status of the responsible police compared with that of the proposed volunteer force. He added, in reply to a question, that nobody is entitled to assume police functions, although it is the duty of all citizens to assist in maintaining the law. The volunteer force had no powers different from those of ordinary citizens.

SYDNEY WHARF LABOURERS. SYDNEY; December 4.

The special board which has been constituted to deal with the wharf labourers’ dispute has commenced its sittings.

Counsel for the inter-State steamship owners contended that the existing conditions were not being observed by tho men, and there were no claims before the board in a legal way. He announced that ho intended to fight tho matter step by step. Judge Scholes, president of the board, overruled tho objections, and said that he intended to sit until tho work was done, and proceeded to a consideration of the claims.

A BONE OF CONTENTION REMOVED.

(Received December 6, 0.15 a.m.) ■ SYDNEY, December 5.

The shipowners and the wharf labourers have agreed that the tea hour shall be from 5 to 6 p.m., work to bo resumed at 6. This has been a big bone of contention. The only thing now requiring settlement is the question of pay \ and overtime.

MERCHANT SERVICE GUILD CASE

SYDNEY, December 5,

Mr Justice Higgins has commenced the hearing of the Merchant Service Guild case, a claim, for better conditions and wages for masters and officers of inter-State steamers.

Several companies have already signed agreements, and their names have been struck out.