The Wages War.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 13, 31 August 1911, Page 5

The Wages War.

EVIDENCE BEFORE THE COMMISSION. By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. United Press Association. London, August 'U'.. ASr Fox, on behalf of tki.♦ Engine r-' <;nl i' hvmeu’s Society, testified leiure tiie commission that hundreds of cases of irritation arose over the condition of the service outside the purview of ti'e conciliation scheme. Ho inslaucod lines, and sa’d the men were oi ten punished unjustil'uddy and were not allowed to prove their innocence. I'hry had no means of redress. Conciliation was an absolute failure, not dealing with questions vitally affecting the men. Recognition of the

unions was necessary to prevent strikes. He suggested a tribunal of two representatives each of the masters and men, w ith an independent chairman to settle disputes when local efforts have failed. Ho was prepared to concede that workmen breaking an honourable agreement should not receive financial assistance, hut declined to give a direct reply whether those carrying cut the award should be protected from interferance by those opposing it. Mr Louth, secretary of the General Railway Workers’ Union, complained of the growth of casuals and the reduction of permanent workers resulting. The companies’ concessions only\ applied to permanents. Owing to the absence of recognition, the unions lost their influence early in their efforts la keep the men working in the late strike. An objectioaal feature about the Conciliation Board was the lengthy periods of awards preventing an application for increased wages, however much the companies prospered. , Other witnesses favoured a Board of Trade umpire, with two assessors representing masters and men, with a preference for separate boards. ‘‘JITSTIFIABLE HOMICIDE.’’ London, August 150. There is trouble on the Great Eastern railway, chiefly with acting drivers, who found that during the strike others had been promoted to their positions. Considerable loot has been recovered at Rhynmcy, and a number of arrests were made. At the inquest on the Llanelly riot victims, Major Stuart testified that he gave the people ample warning. He regretted the necessity of performing a painful duty. A verdict of justifiable homicide was returned. TO-DAY’S MESSAGES.

(Received 31, 9.20 a.m.) London, August 30. Mr White, secretary on the men’s side of the Midland Conciliation Board, testified at the Railway Commission that the men were unfairly treated after sending him information for -submission to the Board.

The Foreign Office states that no British diplomatist was responsible for the interview published by the “None Freie Prssse.” The Lower Rhondda Mines’ manifesto regarding a minimum wage was issued after the South Wales Minors’ Federation executive declined a national strike. Its issue was due to the executive being divided within itself, the moderates under “Mahon” having considerable difficulty in restraining the extremists. A manifesto had been issued asking branches to send delegates to a meeting on Saturday, with definite instructions-.

The Miners’ Federation of Britain will discuss in October tiie propriety of a national British coal strike in .December in support of a minimum wage. Unrest regarding non-unionists is spreading to Derby and Nottingham colliers. The trades union has authorised the men at one pit to give a fortnight’s notice of their intention to strike unless non-unionists aro discharged. Several big companies are already declining to engage non-unionists.

STIRRING SPEECH BY MR LLOYD-GEORGE. (Received 31, 11.50 a.m.) London, August 30. Mr Lloyd-George, laying the foundation stone of a church at Neath, said a great wave of impatience with economic conditions prevailed. It was imperative that the churches should undertake an improvement in the people's material welfare. Ananias made a false property return in order to reduce his contributions to the community, and there were many men of this type to-day. Multitudes, in spite of their grinding toil, did not earn enough to keep body and sold together, while others who “toiled not, neither did they spin” possessed a superabundance. He bad been accused of setting class against class. If it was a criminal offence to call attention to the existing inequalities, all he could say was the social conditions called for an immediate readjustment. He advised the well-to-do to try and keep their families on a pittance like millions of workers; it would cure thorn of the sin of un- ( hai ital'lencss. The nation had just emerged from what might have .been a catastrophe. If they neglected .the lesson, the next struggle might be infinitely worse.