LABOUR.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 15119, 13 August 1913, Page 7

LABOUR.

UPHEAVAL IN ITALY. MILAN STRONGLY GARRISONED.; Press.;Association—Hj ROME, August 11. Syndicalist meetings throughout- -the country decided to support a, general strike if ntjcessnry. The majority of the forking classes do not favour the syndicalists, but axe forced to absta/n~from work owing to the minority resorting to violent coercive methods. Many. masters preferred t closing the factories rather than expose them to attacks. An overwhelming force of troops, including "artillery, hold the strategic points in. Milan, isolating the strikers in the workmen's quarters. Five hundred arrests that were made in Milan, chiefly of dangerous characters, prevented disorder spreading. Ono thousand strikers with criminal antecedents have been imprisoned. Some of the tramcars that are running are strongly escorted, and tiie authorities are ensuring a; bread and gas service. TRADES UNIONS AND POLITICS. LONDON, August 11. • The Trade Union Conference at Newcastle discussed . the use of union funds for political purposes. It was resolved that the efficiency of trade unionism depends on the exercise of i political powers, and that only legislation could abolish poverty. ROME. August 11. The strikers at Milan are gradually resuming work, the attempt to spread the strike having failed. ■ CONFERENCE BEFORE CONCILIATION. Pee Pkess Association. '■' ' WELLINGTON, August 12. At a meeting of the Conciliation Council to-day it was announced that a lull settlement, satisfactory to both parties, had been arrived at in the hairdressers' dispute. -' The union representative commended the spirit displayed by employers, and said that if instead of refus : ng conferences the employers would agree to discuss conditions with their employees, the work oi the Conciliation Commissioner would b e made easier and there would be more industrial peace.