INDUSTRIAL UNREST.

Otago Witness, Issue 3398, 30 April 1919, Page 15

INDUSTRIAL UNREST.

(By Cable.) GLASGOW RIOTERS. LONDON, April 19. The trial of the 12 men who were connected -with the Glasgow riots has concluded. Shinwell was sentenced to five months' imprisonment; Gallagher, Murray, and M'Artney to three" months; others, including Kirkwood, were found not guilty. LIMERICK STRIKE. LONDON, April 25. It is believed that the Limerick strike is settled as the result of a conference of the strike leaders with the Mayor and the Bishop. GOING TO THE ROOT OF THE MATTER. LONDON, April 25. There was a heated debate at the Coal Commission, when Mr Sir L. G. Chiozza Money, and others representing the "miners, threatened to withdraw as a protest against Mr Leslie Scott intervening on behalf of the royalty owners. Subsequently Mr Justice Sankey agreed to Mr Sniillie's proposal to subpsena Lords Bute, Dunraven, Northumberland, Durham, Londonderry, and others in order to examine titles and investigate the incomes from royalties. Objection was raised that it would require a pantechnicon to carry Lord Durham's titles.

ARGENTINE LABOUR, WASHINGTON, April 26. . New York >., despatches from Buenos Ayres states that industrial unionists are agitating for the adoption of laws similar to those in Australia for the protection of the workers in the Argentine. A SPANISH STRIKE. MADRID, April 20. A general strike of telegraphists, tele : phonists, and postal employees has disorganised communications throughout the country. The strikers demand the resignation of Senator Lacierva, one of the Ministers. MINERS' TROUBLE EN AUSTRALIA. SYDNEY, April 22. The Coal Commission opened its inquiry to-day. The miners were not represented, and the commission adjourned till Monday. April 23. The coal miners at Cossnock struck as a protest against ir number of employees coming home from influenza-infected towns. Although the miners are using the influenza excuse to cease work, it is believed the action is due to State intervention in the coal crisis. Most of the miners in Maitland and Newcastle are idle, arid it is expected that the southern miners will follow suit. Owing to the State Government appointing the Coal Commission, the proprietors have decided not to proceed with the ratification of the agreement reached at the Melbourne conference, although the Miners' Federation have accepted it. April 24. Thirteen mines are idle in the northern district, and the position is grave. A big upheaval is "expected. April 25. Six thousand northern miners are now idle. April 27. The position as regards the New South Wales ooal trouble is unchanged. The Federal Government has summoned the colliery proprietors to Melbourne to meet Mr Watt (Acting Prime Minister) to discuss the position. April 28. The speakers at a meeting of members of the Miners' Federation in the Maitland district assured the miners that the stoppages which occurred were entirely due to influenza. The Coal Commission resumed to day. The employees were again unrepresented. Mr Watt has definitely arranged a conference with the New South Wales colliery proprietors on Wednesday to discuss . the agreement which the miners have already accepted. A mass meeting of Cessnock miners decided not to resume work until the town Is completely isolated. STRIKE OF CARPENTERS. SYDNEY, April 24. The carpenters* strike at Broken Hill has spread to Port Pirie, where the carE enters employed by the Associated melters have struck. STRIKE AT FREMANTLE. FREMANTLE, April 25. The lumpers' dispute is not yet settled, and feeling is running high. Two hundred police are camped at the wharf. Agitators are urging direct action to obtain food. VICTORIA LABOUR PARTY. MELBOURNE, April 22. The Labour Party lias carried a motion to the effect that the objective of the party be the peaceful overthrow of the capitalist system and the substitution of the collective ownership by the people by collec-tively-used means of production, distribution, and exchange; also the maintenance and extension of fraternal relations with the people of all countries.

FREEZING WORKS EMPLOYEES. CHRISTCHURCH, April 26. It is announced in Christchurch that the negotiations between the associated meat companies of New Zealand and the New Zealand Freezing Works and Related Trades Industrial Association of Workers have resulted . in a definite agreement as to wages and general conditions. The departments affected cover the whole of the companies' employees except the engineers and those engaged in other trades. Although the old

awards have not in some cases expired, the agreement as regards wages takes effect as from April 7 last. The alterations in wages and general conditions mean substantial improvement to the workers, particularly to the lower-paid workers. The new agreement has been made for two years, and will coma into force as regards general conditions on August 31, 1919. _ On making inquiries from the representatives of the workers, it was ascertained that the manner in which thoy were met has given satisfaction, and that the negotiations were characterised by the best feeling on both sides.

The following firms in Canterbury are bound by the agreement:—N.Z. Refrigerating Company, Canterbury Frozen Meat and Dairy Produco Export Company, Thomas Bortnwick and Sons, and the North Canterbury Sheep Farmers' Co-operative Freezing, ' Export, and Agency Company.

WATERSIDE WORKERS. CHRISTCHURCH, April 26 A secret ballot is being taken to-day by the Lyttelton waterside workers on the question of accepting the employers' offer of an increase of 2d per hour.