GENERAL RAILWAY STRIKE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1240, 23 September 1911, Page 5

GENERAL RAILWAY STRIKE.

| IRISH WORKERS CALLED OUT. : APPEAL FOR GOVERNMENT AID i \ ! ARTILLERY AT WATERFORD. ' By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyrieht 1 (Eec, September 22, 9.15 p.m.) London, September 22. The executive of tho Irish Railwaymen's Society, not having received a reply to its demands from the companies, has declared a general strilco on i'ho Irish railways. The railway -clerks at Cork havo declined the request of tho companies to assist in-handling baggago and goods. A meeting of the Cork Chamber, of Commcrco has requested Government action -to enable the companies to maintain tbeir services. . # There has been a slight improvement in the train services. Complaints of intimidation at a number of workers' houses in Dublin have been made, and a workers train has had its windows smashed. Mobs at Traleo havo stoned loyalist railway workers. A force of artillery has arrived at Waterford. 'The Lord-Lieutenant, Lord Aberdeen, is returning to Dublin forthwith. Tho timber merchants have announced .that unless the men on strike return forthwith their places will be filled and work resumed, PRODUCERS INCENSED. NATIONALIST PRESS' PROTESTS. London, September 21. Several Nationalist newspapers denounce tho Irish railway strike, and protest against Ireland being made a corpus vile to 1- the experiment of English socialism The "Irish Times" denounces Mr. Birrell. Chief Secretary for Ireland, for being absent in Aberdeen. Foodstuffs, says tho paper, are rotting because the Government has insufficient pluck to Send a protecting convoy. Irish producers aro incensed against the strikers. There has been a partial resumption of railway traffic. -. . . A TEAR OF UNREST. (Rec. September 22, 0.45 p.m.) Londfin, September 22. The Board of Trade report on strikes and lock-outs states that over half a million workers, wero affected in 1910. This is the highest number since 1893. CONCILIATION 7. STRIKES. London, September 21. Mr. Dent, manager of the South Eastern Railway, giving evidence beforo tho Stato Inquiry Commission, testified that conciliation would be accepted on the understanding that both sides agreed to it in lieu of recognition of the unions. No legislation could prevent striking, and no legislation should be introduced' that would place railway nven at a disadvantage with other workers. STRIFE IN AUSTRALIA. " EMPLOYERS URGED TO COMBINE." f ; (Rec. 'SJI/^ll.'lb^y.m,) 11 '"''. ; Sydney, September 22. ■At the annual ( meeting of the Employers' Federation the retiring president, in his address, said the present year, as regard strikes and unrest, stands alone. Tho whole -industrial 1 ' life of tie Common-, wealth is in a state of teething unrest, and it is hardly possible to realise the unhappy position in which employer and employee stand. Tho word freedom is almost unknown so far as the employer is concerned. Until the employers are more true to themselves and shake off the chain, of selfishness, the present unfortunate position must continue. Employers must bo firm in protecting rights without being unduly aggressive. Something, it was declared, should be done to separate the, political element from trades unionism, and tho prosperity and happiness of the country must be freed' from the strangling, grip of the caucus and the irresponsible who at the present time are framing laws dictating to their representatives what they wish to be done, thus preventing good -and equitable laws from being enacted.

The annual report referred to tho need of organisation in order to meet tho organising work of the labour agitator, and adversely criticised certain provisions of the Industrial Arbitration Bill as likely to work most injuriously, not only against the employer, but against ihe interests of industrial peace. TROUBLE AT MT. LYEHL. Melbourne, September 22. The manager of the Mount Lyell mine states that a strike is imminent through tho company discharging a member of tho union for entering the mine to investigate an alleged case of overtime. He adds that ho would welcome a strike, as it would allow an overhaul of the machinery. THE WHEELERS' STRIKE. Sydney, September 22. 1 The Wallsend wheelers will resume work on Monday next. BUILDERS' DISPUTE ENDS. Melbourne, September 22. Tho biggest contractor in Melbourne has agreed to the building trades labourers' demand for ten shillings a day. (Rec. September 23, 0.30 a.m.) Melbourne, September 22. The builders' labourers' strike has ended. While not recognising tho demand for fifteen pence an hour, the masters are the rate, pending a Wages Board decision^