INDUSTRIAL UNREST.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 23, 10 January 1912, Page 5

INDUSTRIAL UNREST.

ADMIRALTY PERTURBED

(]}y Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (United Press Association.) London, January 9. In view of a possible strike the Admiralty is arranging for a heavy stock of Welsh coal. DISCHARGE NOTE SYSTEM.

Loudon, January 9. A conference of the Shipbuilders Federation and the Workmen’s Federation was held at Carlisle. It was mutually agreed to discuss the discharge notes system on the 18th, provided tho strike is resumed. POSTMEN FORMULATE DEMANDS. London, January 9. The Postmen’s Federation formulated demands for submission to a select committee. They include an eight hours day, increased recognition of tho unions, a wages standard based on the cost of living, and restoration of civil rights. NON-UNIONISM. London, January 9. A mass meeting at Accrington adopted a resolution declaring that while the operatives shoiild bo members of a union, the question of nonunionists should not be made tuc cause of a strike. Tho meeting requested the leaders to secure a settlement. LOCK-OUT THREATENED. . London, January 9. Tho Bradford masters resolved upon ■i lock-out, unless the woolcombers resume on Wednesday. Also they will not renew the agreement to labour through the operatives’ union, and assert that a year’s trial proved a failure. Henceforth they will requite unionists and non-unionists to work together. A QUESTION OF PRINCIPLE.

London, January 9. Mr Thomas, chairman of the Cambreian Combine collieries, declared that recent efforts to effect peace by compromise bad been sot_ aside, and now the struggle was coming to a critical stage. He wished to make it clear that the masters considered outside intervention undesirable, and were going to manage their own affairs. It was inadvisable that the Board of Trade should interfere. It was not a matter for arbitration, as the question of principle was involved. RAILWAY MEN GO OUT. Perth, January 9. Owing to the refusal of the Railway Commissioner to grant the demand of the engineers and ironworkers employed by the Department for an increase, they have ceased work. About a thousand are out so far. Transit and signal employees are unaffected. (Received 10, 9.25 a.m.) t ..Perth, January 10. w . The agreement between the Society of Engineers and the Commissioner of Railways expired in November. Since then the, officials ,of the society .have been negotiating for, an, increase of twb shillings a day. The claim is based on the increased cost bf living and the fact that increases have been granted to the locomotive enginedrivers. The Commissioners offered an advance of sixpence, which was promptly declined. The men waited on the Minister for Railways, who declined to take the matter of the hands of the Commissioner. The men decided to stop away from work in order, to attend daily’conferences, praptically amounting to a strike. Those affected are engine-fitters,'turners, iron-moulders, and blacksmiths employed at the Midland Junction workshops at Fremantle and Kalgoorlie. No immediate dislocation of railways is feared, although the strike will seriously interfere with the building of new rolling stock. ACTORS BECOME “WORKERS.” (Received 10, 9.50 a.m.) Melbourne, January 10. The Actors’ Union have decided to affiliate with the Trades Hall. N.S.W. RABBIT TRAPPERS. (Received 10, 9.50 a.m.) , Sydney, Januray 10. The rabbit trappers’ strike is steadily spreading.

OPPOSED TO THE STRIKE. (Received 10, 10.40 a.m.) London, January 9. John Wilson, M.P. for Durham, states that lie is opposed to the strike, it being a brutal method of settling a matter. It would be a calamity to the whole community in addition to the coal trade. MELBOURNE WATERSTDERS. (Received 10, 9.50 a.m.) Melbourne, January 10. It is stated unofficially that the wharf labourers’ demand for increased wages has been granted with certain conditions. A mass meeting was held to-day to consider the position. WELLINGTON TRAM TROUBLE. (Per Press Association.) Wellington, January 9. At an adjourned to-night, the City Council further considered the case of Inspector Fuller, of the tramways department. Fuller was present with Mr Herdman, his counsel. The representatives of the Tramway Employees’ Union were also present, but declined to take any part in the proceedings if counsel wore permitted to remain. They urged that Fuller ought to be able to defend himself. The Council decided to adhere to a urevious decision to allow Fuller to have legal assistance, whereupon the union representatives withdrew, and the inquiry proceeded in their absence. Fuller made a statement in reply to the charges formulated by the union, Mr. Herdman putting the leading questions from time to time, with a view to assisting therein. After hearing the statement the Council adjourned the proceedings until the 25th. inst., when, at the ordinary meeting of the Council, Cr. Shirtcliff o will move to rescind the resolution passed at last ordinary meeting to transfer Fuller from the ticket inspectorship to some other employment in the Council’s service. To the meantime Fuller remains on duty as inspector.