WORK AND WAGES.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1344, 23 January 1912, Page 5

WORK AND WAGES.

TRADES UNIONISM. A POSSIBLE DEVELOPMENT, A SITUATION TO BE DREADED, By Telegraph—Press AcsoelatJon—Copyright London, January 21. Sir J. Compton-Riekett, Liberal M.P. ior Osgoldcrnss, Yorkshire, speaking at South Klinshall, said it was for tho trade union leaders to apply what pressure they thought fit against ihe capitalists, but if the pressure was converted into a national uprising, threatening the lives and interests of (he wholn community, trades unionism might bo transmuted into a, revolutionary movement which the Government would be bound to opjiose. He dreaded tho unarmed masses being brought into conflict with soldiers armed with modern weapons.

PERTH JOURNALISTS. Perth, January 22. Owing to the proprietary of tho "Daily News" not adopting tho new agreement between the nowspaper proprietors and tho Australian Journalists' Association, the literary stalf obeyed the association's call into a conference, and the paper was published without their oid. It mainly consisted of a statement of the proprietors' case, tho compositors declining to sot non-unjou copy. The tramway employees declined to handle tho bundles of papers, and some of tho vendors refused to sell them. (Rcc. January 23, 1.5 a.m.) Perth, January 22. The journalists' strike is unsettled, but negotiations are proceeding. WHAM? LABOURERS' DISPUTE. (Rcc. January 23, 1.5 a.m.) Sydney, January 22. The vrharf labourers' troublo with the Adelaide and North Coast Companies is unsettled. Tho former company's notice to-day, offering' to engage hands, met with no response. A mags meeting of the wharf labourers to-night rejected tho employers' offer, and decided to adhero to the' previous demands. The result will bo reported to a conference of tho two sides on Wednesday, THE TRAMWAY TROUBLE. Brisbane, January 22. The tramway men have asked for c conference. Only three engineers at the powerhouse obeyed tho call to come out. The manager states that their places have been filled, and there is no difficult}- in supplying power. THE LITHGOW STRIKE. Sydney, January 22. Mr. Hoskins has arranged a conference with tho Lithgow strikers to-day, tc discuss the situation. As a result of the Lithgow strilco th< Bulli colliery, which is largely dependent on the iron works to take its output of coke, is idle. Two hundred men ar( out of work. STRIKES UNSETTLED. Perth, January 22. The engineers and the aerated watei employees' strikes arc unsettled. Bar men are boycotting hotels using tin waters of factories which did not concede tho men's demands. ARGENTINE RAILWAY STRIKE, Buonos Ayres, January 21. Tho railway companies have refused tc dismiss tho new hands. The railway nieu insist on the re-engagement of all tho strikers. The Government will not mediate any longer, and is determined to ensure thf working of the railway. Two .thousand passengers, angered ai delay, wrecked tho station. A STRIKE IN SYMPATHY. (Rec. January 22, 8.40 p.m.) Sydney, January 22. The engine drivers at the Commonwealth Oil Corporation Works al Nownes, have struck, refusing to. handle non-union coal, in support of the company's miners, who are already on strike Altogether about four hundred employees arc affected. SOCIETY OF FREE WORKERS. According to tho Melbourne "Argus" of January 15, at tho last meeting of the committee of the Society of Freo Workers a report was received from the organising secretary, Mr. J. T. Packer, showing the satisfactory progress being made l) ( v tho new movement. Over 200 new members had been secured during tho last six months, and 1G further applications for membership l were received at the last meeting. The progress made by the society, considering the strong opposition trade union officials, was considered satisfactory. Several new schemes for tho future wero considered. To meet the call from several trades not yet touched it was decided to make the immediate appointment of two additional organisers: From the many applications received the final selection resulted in the positions being offered to Messrs. W. A. Moseley and E. J. Smith. It was dccided to send delegates to the Congress of Independent to be held in Mellxmrne' on January 29, 30, and 31. It was also decided to offer the congress tho use of the society's new clubrooms, to be .shortly officially'opened at 226 Flinders Street, city.