SOUTH AFRICAN STRIKE

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 48, Issue 14608, 6 March 1922, Page 5

SOUTH AFRICAN STRIKE

REACHING A CRISIS. BOMBSHELL FOR FEDERATION. truss Association Electric '1 clecraiih—CopjriKfi CAPETO WN, Sat unlay. The strike at Johannesburg is reaching a crisis. Over 100 U strikers have returned to work. An all-night sitting of the men's federation decided to make fresh negotiations direct with the Chamber of Mines. The latter declined the overtures, and announced that they would not recognise the federation iu future, but will recognise Hie men’s own unions.—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn. MINERS TO TAKE BALLOT. CAPETO WN, Saturday. The Chamber of Mines, refusing the men's federation’s request for a further conference, expressed its willingness to assist the workers to get rid of the junta whose action brought them into the present position and also safeguard them against vindictive action. ~ At Vereeniging, thc steelworkers, by a large majority, decided to resume, thus preventing the loss of a big contract.

Shots were exchanged between tlie strikers and police near a city deep mine. There were no casualties. The executive of the men’s federation has decided to take a ballot on the question of returning to work on the Chamber of Mines’ terms pending the findings of the Parliamentary Commission.

On the Rand an improvement has been noted in the number returning to work. There is a movement developing among the moderate section of the strikers for finding a basis for returning to work in an organised fashion, which is regarded as an alternative to the extremists getting control.

An important conference has been called by the federation of the various strike committees, and it is understood that serious efforts will be made to effect a settlement of the strike, for which much pressure has been brought to bear on the executive. —Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn.