STRUGGLE ON THE RUHR

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 19010, 10 May 1924, Page 15

STRUGGLE ON THE RUHR

MINERS FIGHTING FOR SHORTER HOURS. LONDON, May 8. The Cologne correspondent of the Times states that the threatened struggle on the Ruhr over the seven hours’ mining shift has definitely begun. Between 350,900 and 450, 000 miners declare their determination to fight for seven hours when below ground and eight hour above. The men have been urged to maintain strict Trades Union discipline. The Unions refuse to declare a general strike as demanded by the Communists and throw on employers the responsibility of dismissing the men refusing to work the extra hour. The German Press represents that the trouble is due to Communists’ propaganda. This is largely incorrect. The fight is primarily economic. and the grave situation which arises should be a warning of the impossibility of continuing the agreements forced on mine owners by the French. These place on the mineowners an impossible dim awn ot something between twenty-five million and thirty million sterling per annum. In endeavouring to transfer it to the shoulders of work-people the owers seem to have driven even the docile German worker over-far. The latter is determined that the whole burden of French productive pledges cannot be carried bv himself. The Minister of Labour is said to be going to the Ruhr to try to settle the tr