INDUSTRIAL AFFAIRS

Otago Witness, Issue 3488, 18 January 1921, Page 16

INDUSTRIAL AFFAIRS

MUCH PARTIAL UNEMPLOYMENT. LONDON, January 10. It is estimated that the partially unemployed in Great Britain number many thousands. In Birmingham and Bradford there are each 50,000, in Nottingham 20,000, in Leeds 16,000, in Sheffield and Edinburgh 8000, while Lancashire and Cheshire aggregate 4000. In London the Boards of Guardians are distributing relief at the rate of £1,000,000 yearly, and the provincial cities are undertaking road schemes. Some of the Lancashire operatives’ associations have been forced to suspend benefit payments on account of lack of funds. WORK AND WAGES REDUCED. LONDON, January'l6. The employees at the Portsmouth doc-c yard have received riotice of seven hours less work weekly and a corresponding reduction in wages. Those wishing to leave must take this as a week’s notice of discharge.. ECHO OF FRENCH RAILWAY STRIKE. PARIS, January 13. The court fined the leaders of ths General Federation of Labour, holding that it was an illegal organisation and ordering its dissolution. The proceedings were the outcome of the railway strike March, 1920. January 14. The judgment dissolving the Confederation of Labour is likely to have important consequences. The committee has published its intention to act outside, and says that no national Government could permit the existence of another which under pretence of trade unionism, was established by a minority of agitators, and contrasts the federation's war services with the new revolutionary policy based on a network of alliances with powerful foreign trade unions which have espoused internationalism. The Government is bound to support the demonstrated resistance of the working classes against the confederation’s policy and to assist the stimulation of labour activities within legal limits. A member of the Executive Council of the confederation declared that the oTgam sation would continue its operations, especially as 4500 affiliated unions con tinued to exist. UNEMPLOYMENT INCREASING PARIS, January 14. Unemployment in France is increasing. 'Many factories have been closed owing to the high prices of raw materials and the difficulties of finance. Many ships are held up at Nantes and Marseilles, and the ports are practically doing no work WEST AUSTRALIAN STRIKE SETTLED. PERTH, January 15. The railway strike has been settled by the intervention of Archbishop Riley. The differences were referred to the Arbitration Court. There will be no victimisation. January 16. The railway and tramway men have gone back to work, and the services are gradually resuming. Business, which was largely at a standstill since the strike began, is again normal. The terms of the settlement are that one side concedes the recognition of the eight-hour principle, with higher wages for night work. All the strikers are to be reinstated and time lost is not to be counted as a break In service. The other side agrees to the sub mission of all other points in dispute to the Arbitration Court. IJNEMPLOYMENT GROWING. SYDNEY, January 13. The unemployment problem is growing more acute. It is estimated that there are 18,000 persons workless throughout the State, and more are arriving weekly from other States. UNIONS’ HELPFUL PROPOSAL. ADELAIDE, January 14. The combined unions concerned in the Wallaroo and Moonta Mining and Smelt ing Company is suggesting to the employers that they wiil accept minimum wages for the present in order to keep the mines going, the company subsequently making up the difference when the mines are paying, plus interest. A MINING DISPUTE. MELBOURNE, January 14. Mr Justice Higgins announces that the miners at Wonthaggi and Morwell must return to work before an award can be made. He gave miners’ representatives an assurance that an award will be issued immediately. SOCIALISATION OF INDUSTRY. MELBOURNE, January 14. The Federal Executive of the Labour Party is convening a conference of unions in Melbourne in June to prepare ways and means to advance the interests of the masses, probably by the socialisation of industry.

TRANSI'OV/ WORKERS’ STRIKE. MELBOURNE, January 14. The conference of Transport Workeis sought a conference with the shipowners, promising to send the men back to work. The owners refused, insisting on the unconditional resumption of work. SYDNEY, January 14. The shipping companies are retrenching their clerical staffs. It is uncertain whether this i 3 the result of the strike or of the shipping slump.