LABOUR MATTERS

Southland Times, Issue 14370, 17 March 1910, Page 6

LABOUR MATTERS

Tlfß PHILADELPHIA STRIKE

Pre«B AanooUtton.— CopjrlS&b

NEW YORK,

Alarcli IT>

The Philadelphia strikers have issued a proclamation calling on all working men in the country to withdraw their deposits from the banks. The strikers have two millions sterling banked in Philadelphia alone.

IHE U. S. EIREMEN.

GOVERNMENT WILL AIEDIATE,

NEW' YORK, March 15

The American railway firemen's demand for the control of promotions has been rejected. The Federal Government has consented to mediate- in the American fiiejnen’s strike.

HOTEL EMPLOYEES,

CONCILIATION FAILS.

(Per United Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, Alarcli 16. To-day a meeting of the Conciliation Council was held to discuss the demands of the hotel employees. Air P. Halley, Conciliation Commissioner, presided and , the Assessors were Messrs McFarland, Dwyer, and Beveridge (employers), and E. J. Carey, E. Alark, and T. Helyer (employees), The main questions of hours, wages, and preference were unsettled. Upon these points the employers’ representative desired opportunity to .confer with members of -the trade. Air Beveridge said that when the matters at issue were placed before the members of the Executive of the Licensed Victuallers’ Association and other members of the trade It was at once ap- ' parent that not one third of them would agree to the demands as to hours, wages and preference. The matters were fully discussed and thoroughly gone Into; but he regretted to state that the “trade” could not see its way clear to accept any of the demands set forth, as the Union was pledged by its objects to strive for a six day week of 4S hours for all male workers and a six day .week of 42 hours for all female workers In the trade, as such would mean the ruin of every employer engaged in the business. Any agreement arrived at could be of only a temporao character. The employers could not see thei* way to assist' In bringing about such an undesirable state of affairs. Mr T. Long, representing the workers, gaid that the attitude taken up by the employers was not in accordance with the terms laid dowm in the Conciliation Act. They were making no attempt at conciliation. They merely said:- "No; we decline to discuss -the ■ matter any further; we are* going to the Court.” But if the matter was going to the wourt then there would be a repetition >f the old-time bitterness. Some effort should have been made to settle this dispute. It was useless for both workers and employers to be everlastingly bickering seeing,,that the trade relied upon the workers) at the local poll. This was an unjustifiable position for the employers to take up. There would be such a howl set up throughout the length and breadth of the country over this that the hotelkeepers would be very sorry for the way they had acted. .1 Mr Beveridge: These are threats. In effect it means that you will remember us at the polls. If this is what you want then the sooner we know where we are the better., You are asking the notel employees to vote against their own living. How can you ask us to be mneiliatory? We have given you our reasons why we are asking for the award oji the Court as It- at present stands. Since that award was made we have had a very bad time, and the outlook Is not too bright: but on top of that you ask for 10D per cent, increase In wages and shorter hours. These demands you subsequently modified; but you still ask for a very large Increase of pay and shorter hours. If the conditions were fair when the award • was made,, and the trade was prosperous Hhey sljpuld be fair to-day now that times are bad. ’ The 'Chairman remarked that there were a number of points on which the parties had agreed. Air Beveridge: But a large number of (he employers would not sign it. The employers’ assessors came to the Counsll giving it to be understood that they represented the trade. ■ The Chairman said he'could only re;er the matter to the Court; but he bejeved the Court would refer it back to him again.