LABOUR UNREST

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17547, 12 February 1919, Page 5

LABOUR UNREST

ADDRESS TO RESTIVE RAILWAYMEN.

SECRETARY'S "HORSE SENSE."

Proas Aaoociatico—Bt 'JVlcgraph— Copyright.

, , LONDON, February 10. Mr Thomas, M.P., railwayman's secretory, addressed the raihvaymen in London. He denounced the extremist demand that Parliament should be ignored as a reactionary body. If, he said, the conntry wanted a different House, it should have elected one in December. It would be madness to attempt to reverse the verdict by industrial action. The railwaymen could paralyse the community, but the State -was more important than any trade union There were extremists who would Urge hurling an ultimatum at the Government during the forthcoming negotiations on the-ground that demobilisation of the railwayman in the army was necessary in order to render an eight-hour day effective; but the army's necessities must be placed first. He wouM demand without delay in the House of Commons that tho Government should redeem its promise of instituting social reforms. "If," lie added, "the Government fail to redeem , em > J otl can apply your own remedy, but not before."

RESUMING WORK.

RATLWAYMEN" AND WAITERS

LONDON, February 8. ihe members of the National Union of Kailwaymen approved of the settlement, and it is expected that the tubes will immediately resume traffic. Trie railway companies have lost £42,000 in fares, n*- waiters are to resume work on Monday (February 9), the employers havconsented to confeider conditions. lA ™l. dydo strikers have distributed lyjjUUU copies of a manifesto urging their fellow-unionists in the United Kingdom to support them. They are also organisinc women s committees. . GLASGOW BAKERS STILL WORKING. . DAMPING THE ARDOUR OF STRIKERS. ' LONDON, February 9. lne Glasgow bakers have decided to remain at work. It is expected that their decision will damp the ardour of the strikers, and a general resumption of work y™ o piddle of the week is hoped for. The National Executive of the Electrical Trade Union met at Manchester, and decided to ballot on a 40-hour week; also i^.i°?^ er the engineering and shipbuilding trades concerning the grievances attaching to a 47-hour week.

CLYDE. STRIKE LEADERARRESTED. _ LONDON, February 10. Hopkins, secretary of the Clyde Engineers, has been arrested and charged -with inciting to riot. The Amalgamated Executive on February 5 deposed Hopkins from the secretaryship.—A. and N.Z. Cable. SITUATION AT DUBLIN BALLOT TO BE TAKEN. DUBLIN, February 10. The Labour Congress decided to take a decision of 100 unions on the (juestion of a 44-hour -week with a 150 per cent, increase_ on pre-war wages. A significant resolution of sympathy was passed -with the Belfast strikers, and an appeal made for subscriptions for their support.—Times.

AUSTRALIAN SHIPPING.

FURTHER TROUBLE BREWING.

SYDNEY, February 11. Eight Interstate steamers are idle in Sydney, Newcastle, and Brisbane. Their crews axe demanding increased wages and insurance when visiting infected ports. Members of the Waterside Workers' Federation have not applied for work, owing to the epidemic. The men engaged in loading wheat oil six vessels at Darling Island havVs struck, demanding an increase from Is 9d to 2s per hour.

AMERICAN RAILWAYMEN.

A BIG ORGANISATION.

STATE OWNERSHIP URGED.

WASHINGTON, February 7. The men's leaders have organised the railway employees throughout the United States, numbering two million men. They will propose a plan for Government ownership of railways and for' their joint operation by the employees and the Government.

LW.W. EST UNITED STATES,

DEPORTATION OF LEADERS.

CHICAGO, February 10. Fifty I.W.W. leaders have been deported, and others aro following. The Government are planning to. break'up this organisation and its activities throughout the United States. ROME PRINTERS' STRIKE. ROME, February 9. . Owing to tho employers' refusal to grant increased wages and an eight-hour day a general strike of printers has begun. Only the official Socialist organ is beins: raublished. —A. and N.Z. Cable. »

PERTH TRAMWAYS STRIKE. PERTH, Februarv 11. The tramway earnings decreased by £22,000 owing to the recent strike.

GLASGOW AMALGAMATED UNIONS.

MASS MEETINGS DEMANDS.

LONDON, February 9. (Received Feb. 11, at 5.5 p.m.) A mass meeting of the amalgamated unions, held at Glasgow, carried a resolution condemning the action of tho authorities, demanding a public inquiry, and the release of the strike leaders.—Renter.