WORLD OF LABOUR

New Zealand Times, Volume XLV, Issue 10432, 10 November 1919, Page 5

WORLD OF LABOUR

SETTLING DISPUTES PROVISIONS OF BRITISH INDUSTRIAL COURTS BILL. THE WAGES QUESTION. By TolCTaph—Press Asjociation—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received November 9, 5.6 p.m.) LONDON, November 6. Sir R. S. Homo (Minister for Labour), in moving the second rending of tho Industrial Courts Bill establishing a permanent Industrial Court and Couit of Inquiry, and also providing that it be illegal to lower -wages before September, 19-JO, admitted that persistent State interference with regard to wages would lead to disaster, but trade conditions were still most abnormal. Stability was necessary; nothing affected trade like uncertainty. The Government was abandoning the clauses enforcing compulsory arbitration, which the trade unions considered an infringement on their rights. The Government aimed at systoniatising wages, encouraging settlements by arbitration, and avoiding strikes.' It was believed the bill would create a better atmosphere regarding industrial relations. There were 853 disputes decided during the past year, and there were only three strikes against awards. BILL DEBATED. (Received November 9, 11.8 p.m.) LONDON, November 6. In tho debate, Mr J. R. Clynes said that the Labour party would have preferred a. simple measure guaranteeing the continuance of the present wages. Instead of this, tho Government proposed far-reaching and permanent innovations. The Government had dono nothing to solve the unemployment difficulty. Tho Labour party shared in the desire for industrial peace. This was proved by tho prevention of the extension of, and the. successful efforts to settle, tho railway strike. Unemployment pay ought to he abolished. It would bo better to pay workmen 60s weekly for some work, even if it was not fully earned, than 30s for idleness. Mr Remer moved the rejection of a patchwork bill calculated to foster in-. dustrial war.'' Sir Donald Mack-.n regarded tho industrial courts as a jseful development of State intervention in groat disputes. Tho bill was read a second time.

FAR-REACHING DECISION. INCREASED WAGES FOR IRON AND STEEL WORKERS. (Received November 9, 5.5 p.m.) DONDON, November 6. The Interim Court of Arbitration has delivered a far-reaching decision affecting the wages of forty-eeven trade unions concerned in the engineering, iron, and steel trades., who have been granted a 5s -weekly increase, "based on the present and prospective increase in the cost of living. The increased cost compared with, that before the war was, on October Ist, 120 per cent,, and on November let it was estimated at 130 per cent. The court anticipated a further increase during the winter. The decision affects a million workonsi Extra wages amount to thirteen millions annually. It is expected that other unions will demand similar increases, causing a. further increase in the cost of living, thus initiating renewed wages demands.

IRONMOULDERS NEED FUNDS. (Received November 9, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, November 5. The ironmouldars are appealing to trade -unionists for funds. The moulders have sot aside £300,000 for strike pay, and have practically exhausted kindred trades. The angry moulders, In their appeal, declared that the interests of their members were not consulted when the strike was initiated. AMERICA'S TRIALS INDUSTRIAL AUTOCRACY INTOLERABLE. Aontrttilan and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received November 9, 5.5 p.m.) WASHINGTON, November 8. The Senate Committee which is investigating the steel strike considers that attempts by Labour or Capital to establish industrial autocracy in the United States are unallowable. Strikes are apparently the only way Labour can obtain its just demands, but strikes are barbarous. The Government ought to establish a Mediation Board on the lines of the War Board, with the object of preventing industrial disputes. Tho committee favoured com*>ukory investigation, but did not favour compulsory arbitration leaving tho outcomo to public opinion. EFFORT TO END COAL TROUBLE. WASHINGTON November 7. The Department of Justice will urgo the Federal Court at Indianapolis tp igsue a, mandamus commanding the miners' officials to call off the strike. It is understood that tho officials will be guilty of contempt of court, and liablo to imprisonment if they refuse^ It is estimated that the -6"oal strike has reduced the nation's fuel two-thirds. Only American vessels will roceivo bunker coal at United States ports.

A GOVERNMENT ORDER. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received November 9. 5.5 p.m.) WASHINGTON. November 8. ' The Government has ordered the strike leaders to annul the coal strike. (Uecoivod November 0, 11.6 p.m.) WASHINGTON, November 8. A message from Indianapolis states that the Court has ordered the united mine-workers to withdraw from ttio strike.. The order refused to hoar arguments upon the men's right to strike to securo their demands. DYNAMITERS BUSY. WASHINGTON, November 7. Cabinet has refused to annul flio injunction against the coal-miners' strike. Dynamiting outrages are common in MonongahcUi river district.

I ANARCHIST ELEMENT. (Received November 9, 11.5 p.m.) WASHINGTON, November 8. The Senate Committee investigating tho strike alleges that there is behind tho strike considerable anarchist and I.W.W. element. Mr Foster, strike secretary, ant. leader of tho radical element, is unsparingly condemned. The cause ot the strike is stated to bo tho American Federation of Labour s desire to organise the steel industry on a trades union basis. THE GREAT CONGRESS GERMANY WILL NOT BE REPRESENTED. Ani-tmHan anrt N.Z. Oablf Association. (Received November 9, 5.5 p.m.) BERLIN, November 8. Owing to their inability to secure early passages, German delegates will not attend the Labour Congress. (Received November 8, 5.5 p.m.) WASHINGTON, November. 7. Austria, whilo interested, refuses to send delegates to the International Labour Conference.