LABOUR UNREST.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12777, 22 October 1919, Page 3

LABOUR UNREST.

VIEWS OF LEADERS. LONDON. October 20. Mr R. Smillie (secretary of the -Miners’ Federation) at Bristol said that tbe miners claimed and intended to bare a, fair share of executive control of tbe mines. .Mr Ham- Gosling (chairman of the Transport Workers’ Federation) said that be was not prepared again to confer with the employers unless the latter realised that the employee was no longer a slave hut a partner. Mr Robert 'Williams, at Newport, said that the Government and employers could make up their minds that the "workers would not accept any reduction in earnings. Mr J. H. Thomas, ALP. (secretary of the National Lnion of R-ailwaymen), speaking at Derby, emphasised that the right to strike was Labour's greatest bargaining power, which could not be relinquished. The railwa.ymon requested a share in the management of the railways, and he invited the Government fey consider the proposal. The raihvaymen's request, was on the ground that they could contribute experience, brains and capacitv to the management of the railways which ■would bo valuable to the whole country. AMFTRICAN STEEL STRIKE. WASHINGTON, October 20. Mr E. H. Gary, president of the tinted States Steel Corporation informed the National Industrial Conference and the American F'ederation ol Labour that he would not negotiate with the Union representatives of the men of tiie Steel Corporation plants. Ho would not recede from his previous contentious in reference to open shops. The conference was adjourned owing to the absence of the capital group. It is reported that the. secretary for Labour, rather than see the conference break up owing to inability to agree over collective bargaining, will appoint, now' members in place of those withdrawing.