INDUSTRIAL AFFAIRS

Otago Witness, Issue 3494, 22 February 1921, Page 16

INDUSTRIAL AFFAIRS

VOLUNTARY DECREASE OF PAY. LONDON, February 19. One hundred and forty employees, representing 95 per cent, of the labour of a Lancashire firm of embossers and finishers, have requested a reduction of 10 per cent in their wages, invoicing a surrender of from 2s 6d to 15s weekly, and expressing the hope that the offer will be accepted, as the present high cost of living exists primarily owing to the high cost of production ; also, hoping that the example will be followed throughout the country in orde’’ to decrease the cost of living. The company, in accepting the offer, announced that the charges for finishing will be reduced 10 per cent, to firms undertaking tc give their customers the benefit of the reduction. A number of Birmingham boilermakers have also agreed to a reduction of 10 per cent, in order to enable tile trade to cope with foreign competition. The trouble arising out, of the reduction of wages is spreading in France. A Paris correspondent reports that the textile workers in Rouhaix and Tourcoing decided on a general strike on Monday next owing to the decision of the employers to reduce wages, which are higher than in the textile centres of France. (•(>XFEREXCE THREATENS DRASTIC ST KPS. LONDON. February 19. The South Wales Miners’ Conference has passed a resolution that if the Government refuses to put into operation the Labour Party’s unemployment policy drastic steps will be taken within a foitnnrht. THE RANI) STRIKE. CAPETOWN. February 14. The Engineers and Mine Workers’ Unions balloted against "a strike. It is officialiv notified that all members, excepting those employed in 'he Langlaate mine, are to return to work to-morrow. February 15. .Most oi the strikers in the mines have resumed work, and a majority of the mines are working normally. it is estimated that the miners lost £30,000 m wages. February 18. After 19 days' strike the miners at the Consolidated mine at Langlaagte are resinning. The dispute is to be submitted to a Board of Reference on Tuesday.

1 INDIAN LABOURERS ON STRIKE. SUVA, February 16. Indian labourers in the Ba and Tavua 1 cane districts struck, demanding higher 1 wages. There were no disturbances. OWNERS AND WATERSIDE W OR K ER S ’ A GRE EM E N T. MELBOURNE, February 14. A mass meeting of stevedores by an overwhelming majority decided to ratify the terms provisionally agreed upon by the Steamship Owners’ Federation and the executive of the Waterside Workers’ Federation, which provides for the payment of 2s 9d an hour ordinary time, 3s 9d overtime till midnight, and 4s 6d after midnight. February 15. The Port Phillip stevedores accepted tne shipowners’ offer by 854 votes to 11. The terms provide for the payment of an extra 6d per hour on holidays and Sundays. THE SEAMEN’S DISPUTE. SYDNEY, February 14. Mr Walsh has officially announced that the seamen decline to give the assurances sought, but that they were prepared to re sume work on the conditions prevailing prior to the stewards’ strike. It is anticipated that some development is likely to occur at a mass meeting of seamen on . Tuesday. j “ February 15. | The seamen met at the Trades Hall and discussed the strike situation, the tone of the meeting being to force the GovernI merit to bring about a settlement. At 1 the conclusion of the meeting it was offiI cially announced that the men are anxious ’ to resume work. As the result of the i 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 j export of fruit to New Zealand has also j been largely interfered with. February 16. | The Trades Hall estimates that tire shipping hold-up so far has cost the workers of Xpiv South Wales £692,000. MELBOURNE, February 18. A compulsory conference in connection ■with the shipping strike has opened, but no finality lias been reached. The Victorian Amateur Turf Club has : decided to abandon its autumn meeting, I and has fixed the meeting for March 12. February 20. The All Australia Union Conference is discussing a suggestion that tire whole of the transport unions on land and se,v should make common cause and stop trail# port operations j BASIC WAGE IN QUEENSLAND. BRISBANE, February 15. j The Arbitration Court has fixed the basic wage at £4 5s for males and £2 3s for : females. UNEMPLOYED IN SYDNEY. SYDNEY, February 15. A procession of 600 unemployed marched to the Chief Secretary’s office, where, after

f a disorderly scene, in which the panel of a. door was splintered, the , police caused I the withdrawal of the crowd into the park ofiposite. 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. February 18. The Labour Council passed a resolution of protest against the action of Mr Dooley (Chief Secretary) in employing the police against the unemployed demonstrations. The council calls upon him to resign. February 19 It is estimated that there are 60,000 unemployed in the commonwealth, including 30,000 in New South Wales. I FORTY-FOUR HOUR WEEK QUESTION. SYDNEY, February 15. i 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 adopi tion would be prejudicial to industry, and in cases where employees wished to emphasise their claim that a change was de- | sirable for the. well-being of the employees, tlie onus would be upon the employees to i establish the facts. SUGGESTED LABOUR SLOGAN. MELBOURNE, February 14. I At the All Australia Union Conference on February 17 it is anticipated that certain union officials will propose that Vic- ' toria be made the cockpit of the shipping dispute, and that miners and trimmers be asked to take action to prevent coal reach- ■ ing Victoria. This may involve the Rail I wav Union. Mr Holloway, secretary of the' Trades Hall Council, says that in view of the attitude of the employers the feeling is growing that the new slogan should he ■* Mines to the miners and ships to the seamen.”