LABOUR UNREST

Otago Witness, Issue 3443, 9 March 1920, Page 18

LABOUR UNREST

(By Cable.) SOUTH WALES MINERS' STRIKE. LONDON, March 1. Over 43,000 tin workers in South Wales have been rendered idle by a strike in consequence of the claim of 19,000'men to a 40 per cent, increase in wages, owing to the high price of tin plates. INCREASE IN WAGES. LONDON, March 1. The Minister of Labour announces that the estimated increase' in the wages paid in Great Britain since 1914 averaged 130 per cent, and the United States 90 per cent, in the case of men and 70 per cent, in the case of women. LIGHTNING .STRIKE THREATENED. LONDON, March 3. A lightning strike at two days' notice is-threatened by 175,000 transport workers to enforce the demand for an extra 10s weekly. A joint committee of the Road Transport Industry considered the demand and was unable to agree, so the National Transport Workers' Federation determined on an immediate strike if the federated societies are willing. This action involves the holding up of docks and railways. The last advance of 4s was given in August to bring the wage to 34s above the pre-war figure. Carters, motormen, and garage and stable workers are affected. The masters claim that the Ministry of Labour should make wages awards obligatory on all employers in the industry. FRENCH RAILWAY STRIKE. AGREEMENT~ARRIVED AT. PARIS, February 26. The railway strike has become general. The Government is protecting the lines and organising motor and other services. The strike threatens to render the Lyons Fair, at which the dominions are largely represented, a failure. February 27. The railway strikers have thrown off the mask. They admit that the strike is the beginning of a general Soviet movement to demand the nationalisation of railways, which will become the real crux of the situation. The strike is not yet general. Many employees in Paris are ignoring the leadership of the fanatics. It is significant that the General Federation of Labour withholds recognition of the strike. The French Government is taking steps to secure the victualling of Paris and of the country. The Government has given instructions that all perishable commodities lying in the goods yards must be sold quickly, and the unsoid surplus is to be distributed gratis. There is great excitement in trades union circles over the arrest of five leaders of the Railway Union. March 1. The Government anticipates an early failure of an intensely unpopular strike and the acceptance of arbitration by the union. Former combatants with a membership of 440,000 have offered M. Millerand their services. March 2. It is announced that negotiations between M. Millerand and the National Federation of Railwaymen resulted in an understanding which will end the strike. The strike collapsed owing to the lack of police support. The settlement provides that there shad be no victimisation, and that trades union rights shall be respected, and that the new scale of wages will operate forthwith. The mobilisation order has been cancelled. RAND DISPUTE SETTLED. JOHANNESBURG, Febraury 29. The Crown Mine trouble has been settled. The Mine Workers' Union Executive decided that it could not victimise anyone because of his political opinions. Following a native meeting at Verdetorpe the natives stoned the police and the South African Mounted Rifles who came to their rescue. Later the natives stoned white civilians. Conflicts followed wherein the whites, using; rifles and revolvers, killed two natives. Police patrols cleared the streets with batons, and quietness was restored. CAPETOWN, March 1. Two of the natives who were injured in the riots at Johannesburg died, making four deaths. Between 60 and 70 natives have been sent to hospital: also seven of the white police and one civilian. PRETORIA, March 1. Eight natives were killed in the rioting following the native meeting at Vrededorp to consider strike questions, and many were injured. Europeans are much excited, and demand the removal of the natives. JAPAN'S LABOUR, TROUBLES. LONDON, March 1. The Daily Mail savs that serious Labour troubles have broken out in Japan. The situation is causing considerable uneasiness. ! AUSTRALIAN DISPUTES. SYDNEY, March 1. A meeting of the Bricklayers' Union decided to > refuse in future to work on Saturday. March 4. Six large Maitland coai mines have been

rendered idle owing to a dispute between the shiftmen, deputies, and shoe firers. PREVENTION OF STRIKES. SYDNEY, March 2. The committee appointed by the New South Wales Labour Council to draw up a scheme for the prevention of strikes has reported recommending the appointment of a Disputes Committee, which would be empowered to investigate a strike and decide if it was justified or if the time was opportune for striking. If the committee's decision is disobeyed the striking trade union will not receive assistance. The council also recommends that any, union shall give notice to the Labour Council before striking. The Miners' Federation is demanding a 30-hour working week.