INDUSTRIAL AFFAIRS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18171, 16 February 1921, Page 5

INDUSTRIAL AFFAIRS

THE RAND STRIKE. MEN RETURNING TO WORK. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright CAPETOWN, February 14. The Engineers and Mine Workers’ Unions balloted against & strike. It is officially notified that all n.embers, excepting those employed in the Langlaato mine, are to reurn to work to-morrow. — Reuter. THE SHIPPING DISPUTE. ‘ STEVEDORES ACCEPT OWNERS’ OFFER. MELBOURNE, February 15. The Port Phillip stevedores accepted the shipowners’ offer by 854 votes to 11. The terms provide, for the payment of ( an extra 6d per hour on holidays and Sundays. SEAMEN ANXIOUS TO RESUME'. SYDNEY, February 15. (Received Feb. 15, at 10.55 p.m.) The teamen met at the Trades Hall and discussed the strike situation, the tone of the meeting being to force the Government to bring about a settlement. At the conclusion of the meeting it was officially announced that the men are anxious to resume work. As the result of the hold-up phenomenal losses have been Incurred in all branches of the wholesale trade, as since the stewards struck there has been practically no exporting. While the interstate trade has suffered badly, the export of fruit' to New Zealand has also been largely interfered with. BASIC WAGE IN QUEENSLAND. BRISBANE, February 16. (Received Feb. 15, at 11.40 p.m.) The Arbitration Court has fixed the basic wage at £4 5s for males and £2 3s for females. UNEMPLOYED IN SYDNEY. A DISORDERLY DEMONSTRATION. SYDNEY, February 15. (Received Feb. 15, at 11.40 p.m.) A procession of 600 unemployed marched to the Chief Secretary’s office, where, after a disorderly scene, in which the panel of a door was splintered, the police caused the withdrawal of the crowd into the park opposite. Soon afterwards violent stonethrowing was indulged in, one policeman being injured. During the height of the disturbance the Governor, who was en route to a meeting of the Executive Council, attempted’ to enter the building. He was recognised* and surrounded by a howling mob asking for work. After he had addressed them, promising to use his influence in their behalf, the crowd dispersed. FORTY-FOUR HOUR WEEK QUESTION. DECLARED POLICY OF THE STATE. SYDNEY, February 15. (Received Feb. 15, at 10.55 p.m.) Mr Justice Beeby, of the Industrial Court, who is inquiring into the 44-hour week question, said he thought he would be justified in accepting as a declared policy of the State 44 hours’ work per week as the definite adoption of a higher industrial standard. The onus would be on the employers to prove that the adoption would be prejudicial to industry, and in cases where employees wished to emphasise their claim that a change was desirable for the well-being of the employees, the onus would be upon the employees to establish the faqts.