WORK AND WAGES.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 83, 15 April 1913, Page 5

WORK AND WAGES.

THE GENERAL STRIKE

THE BATTLE BEGUN. [By Electric Telegraph—Copyright, [United Press Association j Brussels, April 13. The general strike began in a motor-factory and ironworks at Antwerp. Troops have been ordered to guard the collieries and factories, and to operate the gas and electric plants. There is already compulsory universal suffrage, but the workers seek the removal of the plural system, under which the propertied and educated closes enjoyed three and two votes each respectively. THREATENED DOCK STRIKE. London, April 13. The fitters at Portsmouth dockyard refused to work overtime, and demand an increase in wages. The authorities anticipate serious inconvenience. THE BELGIAN APPEAL. (Received 11.10 a.m.) London, April 14. British trade unions are apathetic towards the Belgian appeal because it is strictly political. SERIOUS STATE OF AFFAIRS. Brussels, April 14.. Four hundred thousand have struck and business is in a chaotic condition. The public services are working normally. Fifty thousand troops are under arms. The telegraph wires were cut in several places. Coal mines are almost completely stopped. A STRIKE AT GORE. [Per Press Association.] Wellington, April 14. The Gore freezing chamber hands, slaughtermen’s assistants, and rabbit packers struck at the Mataura Freezing Works on Saturday, the trouble being over free labor butchers being put on to unload coal. The unionists consider that preference should give them casual labor. Delegates are conferring with the company to-day. FREEZERS’ STRIKE SETTLED. Wellington, April 14. The strike at the freezing works has been settled, and the men have returned to work. / DRIVERS’ CONFERENCE. Christchurch, April 14. At the Drivers’ Federation Conference a uniform set of rules, to apply to all unions affiliated, was adopted. It was resoolved; “That the Drivers’ Federation Executive convene a conference of representatives of all organisations engaged in transport work, prepared to initiate a transport workers’ department, or federation, on Saturday, June 28, at Wellington.” The date was fixed upon, to enable representatives of transport workers’ organisations to discuss the proposition prior to the meeting of the Unity Congress. The drivers’ conference has concluded. By eight votes to six it was resolved, on tli© motion of Mr G. Inglis, seconded by Mr J. Purtell, that a vote of censure be passed upon the workers’ representative on the Arbitration Court, Mr J. A. McCullough, for his failure to publicly register an emphatic protest against the action of the Court in inflicting upon drivers the necessity, under the award, of working eight hours per week on the necessary attendance upon their horses for nothing. It also decided to recommend members of affiliate unions to refuse to work with uonUnionists and to purchase goods only from those firms who employ unionists in the manufacture and distribution of their goods.