LABOUR.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16724, 6 January 1920, Page 7

LABOUR.

RAILWAYMEN'S WAGES. fB» CtiMit" Pr<"*« Awv-IMior—Coprri-kt.) (Australian and N.Z. Cabla Association.) LONDON". January 3. The newspapers unofficially report hat tht? result of tho negotiations for the standardising of the raihv.iymen's ivngos, which have been proceeding j sineo the October strike, resulted in a ! Further increase of the war bonus by ."s ! ive»-k!** making it JV?s in all grades until September, from which time it will be periodically increased or red'.ired one shilling for everv 5 per cent, increase nr roriuction in the cost of living: but i-::e wages, plus tho bonus, will pcrrrn- : nent'y remain at at least double the 1 pre-war wanes. Tims, the lowest-paid porter will received 5Cs weekly until September, compared with 18s lx<foro the war. and h : s minimum ] must never fall below 19>. | ACCEPTANCE URGED ' < Received Januarv ."ith, 0.-I.*; p.m.) 1 LONDON". January 4. I An official statem:-nt regarding the rnihvnymen's wa'jes confirms the pre-! vinus cable message. i Iho branch de!<<;;ates of the National ! T nion of Raihvnvin 'ii meet on Wednesday to consider the terms. Mr J. IT. Thomas, a mass meeting of railwavtnen at liiriiiin'iliam, recomended aeceptanci> of the Government's terms, although tli-n- were not | all tliev want:><l, nor all thev ii-teti'led ! ultirnatolr to get. A reduction in tho cost of living was moro urgent than an increase in wages. MANY REJECT OFFER. EFFECT OF THE PROPOSALS. (Received Januarv /sth, p.m.) LONDON, Januarv o. Mass meetings of railwaymen at East London. Rhordda Yallev, Nortliampton, Carlisle, and Newcastle unanimously the Government's offer, apparently on the cround that it was not ns generous as that granted to tho locomotive men who received a warre based on tho highest rate paid in each grade, instead of a wago based on the average grade. Tho effect of the Government's proposal is that thousands of men get an immediate advance of 10s per week in wages, with an additional 5s a week war bonus. This will cost tho Government £5,000.000 per annum. A significant feature of the offer is that a scheme has been evolved under which tho cost of living Tvill bo the determining factor in tho permanent wago rates when the settlement is confirmed.

The sum of £300,000 in hack pay will bo distributed among tho railwaymen. LITHGOW IRON WORKS. (Recoived Jannnrr sfh. 10.20 p.m.) SYDNEY. January 5. Owing to tho increased railwny freiehts imnoscd at the beginning of tho roar, tho Lithgow iron works of Messrs Hoskins. Ltd.. havo stopped, rendering idle 750 employees. The Railway Commissioners nro considering a readjustment, of freights, failing which, over 100(1 men will bo rendered idle. UNEMPLOYED NAVY MEN. EARL BEATTY'S APPEAL. (Received Januarv sth, 7.20 p.m.) LONDON, January 4. Admiral of tho Floet Earl Beatty, First Sen Lord, in an interview, said that, owing to tho reduction of naval personnel. 20,000 long-servico naval men, who hod fought gallantly in tho war. wero now unemployed and suffering distress, in spite of their pensions. Earl Boatty gavo details of the bravo docds of Bevoral men whoso families woro practically starving. He pointod out that ekillod. mechanics, electricians, and engineers were handicapnod in Booking employment by the Trades Union bar regarding apprenticeship. Ho suggested that this bar should not bo applied to them, and appealed to employers to givo discharged naval mon an opportunity of earning their living. THEATRE DISPUTE SETTLED. (Received January sth, 9 p.m.) LONDON, January 4. Tli® theatrical dispute has been settled. [A message from London, on December 2Sth, said the pantomimes were produced on Boxing Day. The theatres carried through without any strikes. ITio differences will bo discussed during tho coming week.] THE SHIPPING TROUBLE. STEWARDS' DEMANDS. (Received January 6th, 1.15 a.m.) SYDNEY. January 5. Tho latest development in the shipping troublo is an ultimatum issued by tho Stewards and Pantrymen's Association demanding increases in pay ranging from 22 to 27* per cent., with overtimo pay for Sundays and holidays; an oight-nour day wliilo at sea and in intermediate ports, and a six hours' day while in terminal ports; a month s holipor voar for chief stewards, and a fortnight for all other ranks on full pay.