INDUSTRIAL UNREST.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 38, 9 February 1912, Page 6

INDUSTRIAL UNREST.

LITTLE CHANGE IN THE POSI-

TION AT BRISBANE.

RAILWAY MEN RESUME,

(By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (United Press Association.*

Brisbane, February 8. There is little change in the strike position. The chief event is, that the whole of the employees of the Ipswich railway shops rosjumed work this morning. The Minister for Hallways was present, and congriitnlated the men on using, common-sense. The Premier, in an interview, said he was negotiating for the charter of vessels to bring foodstuffs from southern ports. If any tradesman wanted protection to land or move goods ho could have it. The strikers were not going to hold him up. The Government was ready at , every point, though tho trouble would soon hoover.

Badger, manager of the tramways, reports that he is receiving several threatening, letters. It is rumoured that friction between t,he moderates and extremists on the Strike Committee culminated in two i of the prominent loaders exchanging blows. The strike leaders show no decline of confidence, and aro pleased with the way in which funds are rolling in. The steamer Pi Ibarra was held up at tiro Mac Kay wharf, the labourers and crew declining to unload. The consignees, their staff and a number of others, including the Mayor, unloaded the cargo. ' A .meeting at Charters Towers declared in favour of resuming. They will probably start on Monday. EMPLOYEES’ PROTEST. Sydney, February 8. Interruptions on the wires are delaying Brisbane strike news. A meeting of the New South Wales Employers’ Federation adopted a resolution approving of the Queensland Federation’s firm and just attitude in the industrial upheaval, and condemning Mr Fisher for refusing military aid. It was decided to adopt a measure to strengthen the employers’ organisations. BOYCOTTING HOTELS. Brisbane, Ijebruary 8. Hotels have re-opened, hut the strike leaders have advised the men not to patronise them. - ; ; \ BRITISH COAL MINERS. London, February’ 3. The conference .between mine-own-ers and miners has dead* lock. The owners admitleel the principle of a fair wage, and offered special consideration for abnormal places, but declined to recognise the individual minimum wage.

The miners asserted that a settlement was impossible unless the minimum wage was conceded. Mr Asquith’s efforts to settle the Glasgow dockers’ trouble have proved abortive, and the men mi tied to fight. PROPOSED GENERAL STRIKE. (Received 9, 9.5 a.m.) Melbourne, February 9. A meeting of- the Federal Executive of the Tramway Employees’ Association will be held on Tuesday to arrange a ballot on the question of a general strike of tramway employees in Australia. WHARF LABOURERS, RESUME. Newcastle, February 8. The wharf labourers have resumed, ponding a conference. t STRIKE LEADERS INCREASINGLY ACTIVE. (Received 9, 9.5 a.m.) Brisbane, February 9. The strike committee is displaying increased activity. The trend of the latest proposals throws’ the burden of the fight on the unions concerned in the main arteries of trade and will gradually resolve a general strike into a sectional strike, involving seamen, waterside workers, and coal miners. Unionists returning to work are to contribute to the fund to keep those mentioned on strike indefinitely. This is a counter-proposal to extending; the trouble throughput Australia. Ample funds are coming forward from other states, There is every prospect of a prolonged struggle. The employers are showing unprecedented firmness regarding who they re-employ.

The “Daily Mail” has decided net to take compositors who arc associated with the Trades Hall. They invited men to form a separate union. At an employers’ meeting on Wednesday the master butchers stated that their men had returned to work of their own volition. The. strike committee h'ad replied by calling them out again, and now all were out. A meat famine is threatcnecL Practically a full tram .service is running. The manager slates that the only* thing to interfere now will he the exhausting of the coal supplies. Inquiries have already been commenced in Japan with a view to importing coal to Brisbane. As vessels arrive seamen are (’ailed out. They are considered one of the principal factors in the light and the committee hope through their agency to completely paralyse trade.

meat workers dissatisfied. Wellington, February 8. A conference took place to-day between representatives of the employees of the Wellington Meat Export Company and the Gear Meat Company and employers, to consider matters in dispute. The Hon, C. M. Luke,

M.L.G., presided. The meiwire objecting to hours worked, and seek to minimise this by insisting the overtime rates should lie paid beyond an eight hours’ day. The union directly concerned is one that has come into existence since the small trouble

among assistants at the Wellington Moat Export Company’s yards at Xgahanranga. Its title so far 'iS “The Freezing 'Workers’ I nion.” After a discussion lasting the greater part of the day the s men offered' to compromise on time and a quarter for overtime. inis was rejected liy the company :s representatives, and it is threatened that a strike will take place at both works to-morrow. About 800 men are affected. FLAXMTLL WORKERS’ DEMANDS. Palmerston, February S. A meeting of the Manawatn Flax Millers’ Association was "held to-day. The resolutions carried at the halfyearly meeting of the Employees’ Onion regarding complaints of the swamp hands were considered, and it was decided to inform the union that i general meeting of millers would be held at Foxton on Monday next. ike lecision tiaen arrived at would be conveyed to the union later. MEAT WORKERS CO OUT. Wellington, February 9. About 800 men employed at ‘the Tear Meat Works, Petone, went on j trike this morning. The same course was adopted by nearly as many men it the Wellington Meat Export,Co.’s ■works at Xgahanranga. It is understood that the chief point at issue is the payment of overtime rates.