WORK AND WAGES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10299, 2 November 1911, Page 3

WORK AND WAGES.

PUBLISHED AT 5 P.M.

THK MUTISII JJAILWAY MEX.

THE MEN'S DEM ANDS. (Received November 2, 'lO a.m.) LONDON, November 1. The railway men demand an. eighthour day, with ton hours for perma-nent-way men and carriers, overtime at the rate of at least time and a quarter, and double pay for Sundays. Tho.y also demand that men engaged temporarily in tho higher grade should receive higher grade pay, and that length of service should be tho primary consideration in promotion.

THE SYDNEY STRIKE. A SERIOUS EXTENSION. DEEP SEA WHARVES INCLUDED. United Press Association—By Electrio Telegraph—Copyright. (Received November 2, 9.20 a.m.) SYDNEY, November 2. The wharf labourers have decided to extend 'the strike to the deep sea wharves by an almost unanimous vote. The decision caine as the greatest surprise to the shipowners, who generally thought that the strike was unpopular with all but a small section of the men. When they emerged: from the meeting the men were evidently greatly excited, and many rushed out repeatedly crying, "No work." The officials quickly dispersed, declining to give the Press any information. The men were not so reticent, and stated that for casual work the shipowners can afford to pay. The inter-State railway traffic lias tremendously increased owing to tho strike. In the Legislative Assembly, in reply to a question if be were prosecuting tho strikers, Mr Carmiehael asked" for notice. The samo answer was given tho previous day.

Tho "Herald" states that the action of tho men in ignoring the agreement resolves itself into an attitude of contumacy of which many must be ashamed. Tho repudiation of agreements threatens organised industrialism with disintegration. The "Herald" asks if the Government will dare to use its legislative authority to put down tho strike, and, if not, what becomes of its pretence of responsibility. Tho "Telegraph " declares that political labour is sustaining Governments that obviously dare not face the responsibility of enforcing arbitration in preference to a strike. WHOLE PORT IDLE.

DEEP SEA MEN SURPRISED. THE PRESENT POSITION. (Received November 2, 1.55 p.m.) SYDNEY, November 2. So far as tho wharf labourers are.concerned tho whole port is idle. The decision caused surprise to many deep sea men, who did not attend tho meeting and presented themselves at the wharves, with their dinners, prepared to work. When informed that the meeting had voted for a strike many impromptu indignation meetings were held on the wharves. A petition was drawn up praying tho executive to call a halt and to hold another general meeting to allow all workers to attend. Signatures aro being readily attached to the petition.

Tho position appears to bo that tho first general meeting of deep sea men voted for inter-State workers to continue the striko. Lust night the interState workors filled tho hall and voted for tho deep sea men to join them, each section voting where tho other's interests were concerned. Many men declare that the secret ballot will result in an immediate return to work by all hands. MELBOURNE, November 1.

Mr Hughes, in reply to further questions in tho House, stated that there had been a breach of agreement, and he was considering what action to take.

THE AUCKLAND TROUBLE. [Per Piticss Association.] AUCKLAND, November 2

The trouble arising from tho action of two local bodies in not re-engaging the whole of the men called out during the labour strike has been amicably settled, a concession being made in one caso by the Borough Council placing all tho men on the same footing in a ballot and giving no preference to loyal men when selecting men for employment.

THE RAILWAY SERVANTS. [Pjdh Piucss Association.] PALMERSTON NORTH, Nov. 2. The local branch of the Amalgamated Socioty of Rail iv ay Servants hold an indignation meeting this week in rei'erenco to tho recent increases granted in pay and decided not to support tho action of the Now Zealand executive till it received tho full text of tho executive's letter to the Prime Minister. It appears .that tho contents of that letter were -riven over the telephone from Wellington and croated tho impression hero that the New Zealand executive had thanked the Prime Minister for satisfactorily meeting tho Society's demands. In that case tho local branch would not have endorsed the executive's action. Now that the full text has couie to hand it is found that the executive merely thanked Sir Joseph Ward far his courteous treatment of the Society. The letter is as follows: -- "The Right Hon Sir J. G. Ward. Sir, — I am instructed, by the Executive Council to convey to you thoir keen appreciation of the kind and courteous treatment they have received at your hands with regard to matters recently placed beforo you, and, whilst we have not gained all that we desired, we have to thank you for the attention and time you have given to their representations.—Your obedient servant, M. J. Slack, general secretary." Having received the full text ot the letter,' the local branch by u.n overwhelming majority resolved to record its sense of appreciation and confidence in the executive Icr its actions in connection with the recent increases.

TOE WATERSIDE WORKERS. [Per Peeks Association 1 WELLINGTON, November 2. In a circular issued 1 ,f Farland assistant secretary of the. Waterside Workers' Union, the writer justifies tho decision of tho majority to join tho Federation of Labour. He states that strife is not desired, but the Union would stop at nothing to better tho conditions of ill-paid waterside workers.

TITH MERCHANT SERVICE. [Pun Phkss Association.] . \Vk'i,l.l NO TON". November 2. The fresh demands made by the Merchant Service Guild on tho owners have been considered and not accepted.

THE SEAMEN. [Per Pur.ss Association - .] TH'NEDTX. November 2

Mr Belcher, secretary of the Seamen's Union, and Mr Holdsworth Aiken Smith, representing the Union Company, will go north in view of the conference! between the representatives of the shipping interests and the executive of the H euinen'.s Union in "Wellington Tniyn H?.U on Wednesday