LABOUR UNREST.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16437, 3 February 1919, Page 7

LABOUR UNREST.

DISORDER IN GLASGOW. RIOT ACT REAP. V (By Cable.—Pros* Association.— Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Ceblo Association.) LONDON, January 29. The prospects of an early settlement of the strikes are> loss hopeful. Ino men's meeting decided against negotiatl°Additional workmen have joined the movement in Belfast, where the mol> looted several shops, and sznasliod many windows. . . , Several thousand additional Clyde workers are out. Twonty thousand marched to the Glasgow tramway power station and domanded that tho men strike, lint there was no response. The tramways servico is disorganised. The men pulled tho trollies off the wires

Tho Minister of Labour to bo interviewed by n Clyde deputation. He declares that the hours' question, cau only bo settled by a national joint committee of workers land employers. Tho Minister appeals to strikers to resume work, pending a Satisfactory settlement. / The London striko deadlock continues.

Thirty person have been sent to hospital as a result of tho Glasgow riots. Bottles and other missiles were thrown. The sheriff and chief constable were struck. Many baton charges were mndo by the police. Tho Riot Act was read in and the striko loaders, William Gallagher and David Kirkwood, wero arrested.

A number of Australian soldiers and army officers assisted the police to suppress the Glasgow riots. The Press Bureau states: —Tho Lord Provost of Glasgow telegraphed to the Government stating that a deputation appointed by a large meeting had roquested him to nrge tho Government to intervene to secure a forty-hour week without a reduction of wages. The deputation stated that constitutional methods had been pursued hitherto, but failing the Government's consideration of the present request any other 1 methods likply to advance their cause would bo adopted. Mr Bonar Law stated that the dispnto had been dealt with by tho employers, and the only duly elected trades imion representatives. The Government, therefore, was unable to intervene, as such action would only undermine the authority of tho men's chpsen representatives and destroy the eftoperation of employers and employed, on which the hope of industrial peace denended.

Representatives of the Railway Exe-v ontive Committee and the Railwaymen's Unions have signed an agreement establishing the principle of an eight hour day.

OUTLOOK UNPROMISING. (Australian and N.Z. Coble Association.) (Received February'2nd, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, January 30. Tho -engineers' strike threatens to assume a more serions phase. The amalgamated stewards met in London, and are endeavouring to arrange concerted action with the Clyde and other aroad for a forty-hour week, instead of fortyseven. The Clyde delegates have already conferred with the London committee. At a conference between the Railway Clerks' Association and the President of tho Board of Trade, an appeal for a statyramaster's right to membership! failed owing to Sir Albert Stanley's decision that such recognition, -would ba against the interests of the travelling public. A national conference is being held on Sunday to consider a strike.

One hundred attendants at an asylum in Monaghan are demanding highen wages. They seized the food stores, barricaded the main bml dings, and hoisted the red flag. Strong foroes ofl police hastened to the scene in motors. The strikers declare they can hold out for weeks. Twelve electricians and firemen. <>m - ployed by Belfast firms generating their own power joined the strike, resulting in three thousand employees bein# idled. The Clyde strikers have given exhibitions of ugly temper. They gathered! en masse in front of two shipyards where work is continuing, swarmed into the yard when the gates were opened, and dragged the workers "into their ranks. Pickets are everywhere intimidating workers. The strikers threaten to plunge Glasgow into darkness by cutting off the supply and electrio current unless the Xiord Provost opens negotiations by Fiyday. The authorities in Belfast are taking a serious view of the situation, and considering whether to put the city under martial law after sunset. Two daily newspapers have suspended publication owing to the lack of electric current. Negotiations for a settlement of tho London strike have begun. The vessels detained owing to the strike include the Walmer Castle, with a full cargo for Australia.

ENGINEERED BY BOLSHEVISTS. (Received February 2nd, 11.15 p.m.) LONDON, January 30. The Australian Press Association learns that Cabinet has decided not'to intervene in the strikes in Glasgow and Belfast, and the North-East Coast. Steps have been taken to protect peaceful workera. Tho Government view is that, as the strikes were not authorised by the unions, it would be unwise to intervene at this stage. There is no doubt that the trouble at Glasgow and elsewhere has been erigineered by a small Bolshevist element, which is doing its utmost to secure a complete revolution of the social system. It is believed tho troubles will soon be ended, as no striko pay is being ! issued. In the London striko negotiations, tho employers demand that the men shall first return to work. STRIKE IN JOHANNESBURG. (Received February 2nd, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON January .'JI. A Johannesburg messago states that two thousand building tradesmen are on strike. Tho mince and municipal workers are not affected, but if tha striko is successful tho demand for shorter hours will probably extend to other trades.