RESTLESS WORKERS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1284, 13 November 1911, Page 5

RESTLESS WORKERS.

SYDNEY WHARF LABOURERS. THE OVERTIME QUESTION. By Tclecraoh—Press Association—Copyright Sydney, November 11. The trouble regarding the overtime question raised by tho wharf labourers, has interfered with tho appointment of a Wages Board, as directed by Mr. A. C. Carmichael (Minister for Labour) last week, to deal with tho strike. Mr. Carmichael states that ho has got tho parties so far in agreement thai they are- willing to enbmit certain matters in dispute to a tribunal. The appointment of a board has therefore been ordered. It will probably bo constituted on Monday next.

THE WAGES BOARD. SHIPOWNERS' VIEWS. Sydney, November 11. The steam ship owners and tho Wharf Labourers' Union have nominated representatives to the proposed board. On behalf of tho owners, counsel argued that no genuine dispute existed. A section of tho waterside workers got out of hand and wanted to over-ride not only tho employers, but their own officials. It is suggested that if tho matter is allowed to come to a vote the trouble might be overcome.

SHIPMENTS BLOCKED. SHORTAGE OF PROVISIONS. Sydney, November 11. A meeting of the ship owners decided to ignore the men's action in knocking off at 5 o'clock. They are determined to stand by tho agreement, pending tho Court's inquiry. Meantime, if the men remain recalcitrant no overtime work will be done. Owing to tbo strike, large quantities of wheat, tea, and dried fruits intended for Queensland ports, where the shortage is beginning to bo keenly felt, are blocked.

FREMANTLE COAL LUMPERS. Fremantle, November 11. Tho lumpers have declined to handle a quantity of coal from the Scottish cooperative collieries for the steamer Uganda, because it ie non-unionist. To prevent trouble the agents have removed the coal from the wharf. THE BAKERS' TROUBLE. Sydney, November 11. The Minister for Labour, Mr. A. C. Carmichael, will appoint a board to inquire into tho bakers' trouble. A COMPANY BOYCOTTED. (Rec. November 13, 0.15 a.m.) Sydney, November 12. Strike matters aro quiet. Tho Adelaide Company's gates were opened yesterday, but no workers appeared. It is understood tho men aro boycotting the company out of resontment for closing the gales the previous day. At all the other wharves men worked overtime on Saturday afternoon.

PIPE FOUNDRY CLOSED. Sydney, November 11. The supply of imported iron is exhausted. Tho employees at Messrs. Hoskins's Sydney pipe foundry have refused to handle Lithgow iron produced by nonunionists, and tho foundry has been cioseil.

MOUNT LYELL STRIKE. PROVISIONAL AGREEMENT. Melbourne, November 11. Tho Mount Lyell Conference has adopted a provisional agreement providing for a conference with tho men a month after tho resumption .of work, the creation of a Grievanco Committee, and the recognition of tho union and tho eight hour principle. ' It is hoped that the agreement will be signed to-day, and the strike declnred off. (Eec. November 13, 0.15 a.m.) Melbourne, November 12. Tho Mount lyell conference resulted in tho signing of the agreement, previously cabled. The strike is declared off, and the men sign on on Monday and resume work on Thursday. The dismissed man White fights his own case in the courts.

TRADES UNION AND POLITICS. Sydney, November 11. The Labour Council discussed tho Broken Hill Political Labour League's proposal for the formation of a new party on trades union lines only, and resolved that there was no necessity to form a separate Trades Union Political party. NATIONAL STRIKE DESIRED, London, November 10. Tho Northumberland Miners' Executive has decided to support a national strike to enforce a minimum wago. ADVANCE IN WAGES. London, November 10. The Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company is advancing tho wages of its lower grade workers and clerks. STRIKE OF WOOL-SCOURERS. (Rcc. November 12, 5.5 p.m.) Sydney, November 12. Tho employees of four wool-scouring works at Botany struck; eight hundred are out. At two other works whero higher wages mo paid tho call-out was ignored. The trouble has been browing for some time. A Wages Board was constituted, but so far there has been no practical effect.