LANCASHIRE CRISIS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20800, 20 August 1929, Page 9

LANCASHIRE CRISIS

THE COURT OF ARBITRATION. MR JUSTICE SWIFT CHAIRMAN. (British Official Wireless.) (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) RUGBY, August 17. (Received August 19, at 5.5 p.m.) Mr Justice Rigby Swift, who is to be independent chairman of the Court of Arbitration set up under the settlement terms of a Lancashire cotton lockout, is a judge in the King’s Bench Division, is himself a Lancashire man with an intimate knowledge of the cotton industry. In a message regarding the cotton settlement, the Prime Minister expressed the hope that an arbiti ation award will be given without undue delay and be loyally accepted by both sides, stating his belief that the cotton industry required a far more co-operative organisaThe Prime Minister adds: “ The inquiry into the cotton industry which the Government has just set up must now be pushed ahead as quickly as possible so that the temporary accommodation which will follow arbitration may he used as an opportunity for both sides and all sections in the cotton industry to get together to face facts and to overcome them.” WOOL AND TEXTILE UNIONS. ‘ ARBITRATION FAVOURED. LONDON, August 19. (Received August 19, at 10 p.m.) The Executive Committee of the Wool and Textile Trade Unions rejected the offer by their own representatives on the Industrial Council to accept a 7i per cent, reduction in wages. They authorised the delegates to meet the employers, who are demanding a 10 per cent, reduction, and offer arbitration.— Australian Press Association.