INDUSTRIAL UNREST.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 66, 13 March 1912, Page 5

INDUSTRIAL UNREST.

THE ENGLISH COAL STRIKE

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

London, March 12

The estimate of the number rendered idle by the strike should include 203,700 surface workers, which makes the total now out of work 1,499,860. In South Males the owners, while not abating their opposition to the minimum wage, have agreed to lie ro-

piesonted at the conference, and it is expected that the exentive of the Miners’ Federation will meet the coalownors to-dav,

Stephen "Walsh, a Commoner, speaking at Wigan, condemned the pamj»l let eireuhiX'. 'i in South Wales on February 27. advocating ■‘irritation” strikes.

lie said the.; every genuine trades unionist was willing to give a fair day < work foi a fair day’s pay. The men wore non’ being advised to shirk their work and make the working o the mines unprofitable. That was a foul and dishonourable policy. The pamphlet explained the organ; sation’s methods, which included tho so-called “irritation” strikes, wherein the men reduced their output during working hours until the profit disap pearod, when the shareholders ivoUh he forced to relinquish the mines which would then be carried on ii. the interests of the workers, win would efiose their own managers, a nr. thus bo rid of the industrial’ “slav, driving.!’ - ■ A' ’ ■" • The Lancashire and Cheshire Miners’ Federation has paid out £30,000 to: the first week’s benefits.

Many firm's, particularly in the engineering trade in Lancashire, are using the municipal electricity in order to keep their machinery going. Mr Markham, a Commoner, speaking, at Mansfield, advised the men t;; stand firm for the minimum wage, which would only cost the owners 4d to 4-J-d per ton. Welsh and Scratch owners, he said, must be forced to give the minimum /by Act of Parliament.

One hundred and fifty-seven Unionists, 72 Liberals, and 10 Nationalists Lave signed a memorial to the Premier, asking him to appoint a Royal Commission to enquire into the possibilities of co-partnership. The Labour Party refused to sign, fearing that co-partnership would undermine trades unions. Bankers are cautious, about advancing money to miners’ unions even on approved security, without ample margin. One institution refused to advance £150,000 against exchequer bonds, but the money was obtained elsewhere.

The Premier, questioned in the House of Commons! said that the Government had noted with satisfaction that many of the masters, instead of discouraging the men, are providing part time employment. Albert Stanley, agent Cannock Chase Miners’ Association, disputed Mr Ramsay MacDonald’ s - references to the Premier. Everything that had been done redounded to the Premier’s credit..

THE MINIMUM WAGE

(Received 13, 9.20 a.m.) London, March 12

Several newspapers, commenting on the minors’ exclusion of the principle of the minimum wage from the discussion at the Conference, point out that the Premier and sixty-five per cent, of the owners have already accepted it.

BINDING AGREEMENT SOUGHT

(Received 13, 10.30 a.m.) London, March 12.

The coal owners’ and miners’ executives conferred with the Premier, Mr Buxton and Sir G. Askwith. The Welsh owners decline to cancel the 1900 agreement unless the Government guarantee that tiie next- one will ho stpictly observed. FRENCH MINERS. Paris, March 12. Seventy per cent, of the French miners have struck. WORK RESUMED. (Received 13, 10.30 a.m.) Paris, March 12. The miners have resumed.

G ERMALN STRIKERS ARRESTED

Berlin, March 12. Thirty-five per cent, of the Germans have struck. Women and children at Essen assembled at the pitheads and prevented many from descending.

The strike funds amount to £300,000, sufficient for a fortnight’s strike pay.

There lias been a collision between the police and dOO strikers at Essen, seven strikers being sabred.

There have been many arrests. One of the non-strikers who was attacked lost both eves.

IMPRISONMENT OK STRIKERS

Capetown, March 12

In the Assembly, Patrick Duncan moved an adjournment to discuss the prison treatment of Whitaker and Morant, who were arrested in connection with the Johannesburg tramway strike, were afterwards released, and scoured damages against the governor of Johannesburg gaol, because they were treated as convicted prisoners. There was much comment owing to Mr Hertzog, Minister of Justice, justifying the Departmental action on the ground of the emergency of the situation. Mr Potlia, Prime Minister, treated the matter as a mere attempt to make party capital