LABOUR.

Timaru Herald, Volume CVIII, Issue 16820, 27 May 1919, Page 7

LABOUR.

COMMONWEALTH DISPUTES. Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn. . "'"' SYDNEY, May 26. ;'■■ The Broken Hill mine managers have refused the miners' demands, but will later review the rates of wages in the light of the cost of living. ACUTE COAL SHORTAGE. Unless there is a quick settlement of the strike the coal position at 3 all Australian ports and elsewhere will be very serious. Already the shortage is being severely felt, and by the middle of next week, failing relief, it must result in the closing of many industries, rendering thousands of employees idle. Up to Saturday it was estimated that 4000 were directly and indirectly involved in the strike in Melbourne. Meantime vast quantities of cargo are piling up on the wharves at the various ports awaiting shipment.

SERIOUS CONFLICT EXPECTED. MELBOURNE, May 26. Arrangements have been completed f!or the loyalists to resume work on the wharves to-day. Serious conflict with i the strikers is anticipated. „ SHIPPING DISPUTE. STRIKERS TIRING. SYDNEY. May 26. The shipping dispute is awaiting the result of the compulsory conference, but no decision is expected to-day. Trades Hall officials anticipate an early settlement as the decision iP strike was not unanimous, and the majority of the men would welcome an early resumption of work. The prices of foodstuffs are soaring. PROMISING COMPULSORY CONFERENCE. MELBOURNE. May 26. The compulsory conference on the shipping dispute adjourned till Thursday An amicable feeling prevailed and it is confidently anticipated that an early settlement will result. STOP WORK AT AN OUT PORT. (Per Press Association.)

DARGAVLLLE, May 26. Quite a. commotion was caused in ghipping circles this morning when a; report spread that watersiders load- j insc the Sydney steamer Ihumata had struck Matters were not quite so serious as painted by rumour. stop-work meeting was being held ior the purpose of taking a secret La lot i concerning a further rise in w.ages, and in conneotion with overtime to te worked in loading the steamer. The. men opposed working later than fi/e o'clock. Captain Mathieson took exception to this. A conference was arranged to discuss the situation. Th« matter was referred to the secretary of the local branch of the "Wateraiders Union, Captain Mathieson, and the Mavor (Mr R. E. Hornblow). They ■went fully into the grievances of the parties, 1 the Mayor addressed the men, and a. further meeting of the anion was held, when everything was sottied satisfactorily, and the men decided to work overtime. | . AUCKLAND TRAMS. MAY BE HELD UP. AUCKLAND, May 26. Members of the Auckland Tramway Officers Union decided at a meeting to-night to cease work if the dispute between the Union and the Company is not settled within fourteen days. An intimation to this eifect is being i sent to the Company, and has already been signed by the ma-jority of the members of the Union. As the Union Comprises the power house staff, oar and ticket inspectors, their ceasing I work would entail stoppage of the tramway service. ,