LABOUR.

Timaru Herald, Volume CVIII, Issue 16822, 30 May 1919, Page 7

LABOUR.

«►= — —= — GREAT CANADIAN STRIKE. INDUSTRIES PARALYSED.

Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn. OTTAWA, May 15. Industry in Winnipeg is-at a standstill, there being a general strike in sympathy with the' metal trades for union recognition. Some weeks ugd these trades asked for higher wages, shorter hours ana Union recognition. The companies refused, but agreed to arbitration. The Unions refused arbitration on the principle of collective bargaining, and the companies thereupon agreed to the demands for higher wages and shorter hours, but refused to deal with any Union outside that of their own employees. • To-day a climax "was reached, the street car employees, telephone} postal and elevator staffs, thousands .of clerks, stenographers, general workers and firemen coming out. .. _ ; Stereotypers and press men joined the strike, and the newspapers have suspended publication. The police walked out, tut the Strike Committee ordered them to resume duty to preserve order. Sufficient bakers have also been retained to supply bread to the ho*, pitals, while a citizens' committee manned the fire stations. Most of the shops have closed and will not be re-opened until they receive permission from the strike leaders, who claim that 26,000 have struck. Bread depots have been opened to relieve distress. . A big force of police has been drafted in and some rioting took place this morning. A few persons were injured.The Manitoba Government employees are demanding a 60 per cent, advance in wage's; The strike has spread to the Calgary, Edmondton and Saskatchewan postal employees; who refused to obey a Government order to resume.

Volunteer postmen are delivering mails. '••■' At 'Toronto, the Labour leaders declare that 55,000 inembers of 50 "Unions will strike" on. Wednesday, May 28, unless the metal workers' demands are conceded.

| IN SOUTH AFRICA. THI! MINING SITUATION. CAPETOWN, May 27, In the Assembly, the Government announced the appointment of a Commission of three representatives each of the employers and labourites, and three Governntent to investigate the mining situation. IN THE COMMONWEALTH. COASTAL STEAMERS LAID UP. ~ .' : . „ SYDNEY, May 29. ' ■;.,■ Most of the inter-State coastal steamers are now; laid up. . There are many thousands of unemployed in the northern district. Five thousand coalminers are idle ; It is estimated that there is 50,000 i tons of cargo on the waterfront awaiting shipment to inter-State ports. STATE VESSELS VETOED. MELBOURNE, May 29. i Mr Watt has refused to allow the Queensland Government to charter [ vessels to ease the strike situation. LOYALISTS MOLESTED. Loyalists returning from work were I subjected to a hostile demonstration by strikers, whom the mounted police disi persed. THE WHEAT STACKERS. The Minister of Agriculture announces that as a result of intimiation by | "Unionists, loyalists have left the Brooklyn wheat stacks.' It has _ therefore been decided to pay off all unionists and I offer the work to returned soldiers. OTTAWA AT A STANDSTILL. OTTAWA, May 16. Thirty thousand unionists have struck, demanding recognition of the Union. The city is. at a standstill, and is almost foodless.