WORK AND WAGES

Southland Times, Issue 18619, 18 August 1919, Page 5

WORK AND WAGES

THE SEAMEN’S STRIKE. A HITCH IN SYDNEY. DECISION TO RESUME RESCINDED. (By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) SYDNEY, August 17. Received August 17, 5.5 p.m. At the mass meeting of seamen it was decided to rescind all the previous resolutions and the meeting unanimously agreed not to resufne until further notice. The seamen are awaiting a definite statement from Senator Millen. The latest developments have caused consternation among shipowners, many of whom had made all preparations to despatch steamers to-morrow. COAL RESTRICTIONS AND UNEMPLOYMENT. MELBOURNE, August 16. The Government is re-imposing all coal restrictions from to-day. Ten thousand workers will thus be rendered idle. TROUBLE IN NEW YORK. A RAILWAY STRIKE CALLED. NEW YORK, August 17. Received August 18, 12.55 a.m. The operating employees of the’New York subway and elevated lines decided to strike on August 17, because the traction companies refused a forty per cent, wage increase. The city authorities are prepared to operate omnibuses, lorries and motor cars to furnish citizens with transportation. WINNIPEG STRIKE. SOME RUSSIANS DEPORTED. OTTAWA, August 14. Received August 17, 5.5" p.m. The Immigration authorities have ordered the deportation from Vancouver and Winnipeg of Russians accused of attempting to overthrow the Government, rob banks and commit sabotage in connection with the recent strikes. THE POLICE STRIKE. LIVERPOOL LABOUR LEADERS’ THREAT. LONDON, August 15. Received August 17, 5.5 p.m. Labour leaders at Liverpool, representing all trades, unanimously decided to demand the reinstatement of the police strikers, otherwise there will be a general stoppage of all workers in Liverpool on Wednesday for three days. The leaders threaten that their action will be the prelude of a further stoppage. THE DOCKERS’ DENIAL. •LONDON, August 15. Received August 17, 5.5 p.m.

The executive of the Liverpool dockers repudiate the report that a strike was ordered in support of the police strike and declare that the men were ordered to await official instructions.

AFFAIRS IN NEW ZEALAND. TO SAFEGUARD WVTERSIDE WORKERS. INSPECTOR OF GEAR TO BE APPOINTED. (By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright.) WELLINGTON, August IG. Replying to a deputation of watersiders to-day the Hon. M. Wilford stated that Cabinet had authorised him to appoint seven inspectors of gear for New Zealand. He proposed to appoint two at Auckland, two at Wellington, one at Lyttelton and two at Dunedin. He also agreed with the suggestion that ropes should be standardised. The new regulations would apply to hulks and Harbour Board gear. SOUTHLAND AND OTAGO CHEESE MANAGERS’ UNION. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Southland and Otago Cheese Managers’ Union was held on Friday in the secretary’s office. There was a good attendance of members, the president (Mr A. Harper) being in the chair. The annual report of the executive stated that in spite of adverse circumstances the membership had been fully maintained, while the financial position, as shown by the balance-sheet, cannot be considered other than satisfactory. The receipts for the year were £l7l 13s 3d, as against £134 12s Id for the previous year—an increase of £37 Is 2d. “In common with the rest of the community,” the executive’s report continues, “we rejoice that the hideous conflict which has desolated the greater part of the civilised world during the last five years has been brought to a close. The return of peace has already brought back to us a number of our members who had left us to take part in the titanic and tragic struggle, and we expect the early return of many more. They may be assured of a hearty welcome as they reach us. In this connection it may not be out of place to mention a little incident that shows the pleasant camaraderie that exists among ouf members. The manager of one of our local factories, a

single man, went forward to “do his little bit,” and his place as manager was taken and held for three years by another of our Union, a married man. Immediately on the return of the soldier, the one who had held his job voluntarily surrendered it to him. It is incidents such as this that help to cement us closer together. Both deserve our honour, each had done what he believed to be his highest duty, though in different ways. “We regret that the recent epidemic claimed two of our members among its many victims: Hugh Bryce, of Menzies Ferry, and A. Herbert, of Grove Bush.

“A number of breaches of the award were reported during the year. Some were merely technical, and presented no difficulty in adjustment. Some few were, however, more serious, but your executive is pleased to be able to state that all were amicably settled. In one case a manager was dismissed through a misunderstanding between him and the directorate of his factory. Our secretary approached the directors and as a result of his conference with them, a perfect understanding was effected and the manager was re-instated, while the chances of similar friction in the future were reduced to vanishing point. During the year our secretary has visited almost all the factories between Waitaki and the Waiau—the extreme limits of our district. The results of these visits were distinctly beneficial in various ways. Many disputes were settled, and much information given on doubtful matters connected with our award and other things, thus preventing much friction and trouble. On the whole the organising work of the year was very satisfactory, and emphasises the necessity of constant activity on our part.

“As you are all aware a conference was recently held with our employers. It was hoped that an equitable working agreement would be effected, especially os our demands were very slightly in excess of the terms of our last award. Our chief object in seeking the conference was merely to fix terms; the date at which they should become operative could have been a matter of arrangement The conference, however, proved abortive, the employers absolutely refusing to discuss some of the clauses which we regarded as most importnt, with the result that we were compelled to file a case for the Conciliation Council. This will be heard on August 19, when we hope that an amicable and equitable settlement will be effected, since, though we feel that our demands are only just, it is no part of our wish to promote unnecessary discord, or to disturb the friendly relations that have hitherto, for the most part, existed between 6ur employers and ourselves.”

The report was adopted. A motion of condolence was passed to the relatives of those members who had lost their lives during the epidemic and also to one manager who had recently lost hia wife.

The following executive was elected; — President, Mr A. Harper (Woodlands); vicepresident, Mr John Sayers (Edendale); committee: Messrs W. Wythe (Brydone), Frank Taylor (Tuturau), D. M. McDonald (Mataura), D. McQueen (Kennington), A. Ross (Wyndham), G. Dixon (Mataura Island), R. Brett (Seaward Downs), W. Bagrie (Glenham) and R. Spence (Otago representative) .