LABOUR UNREST.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1359, 9 February 1912, Page 5

LABOUR UNREST.

A CRISIS REACHED.

MINERS' CONFERENCE. COAL-OWNERS WITHDRAW. By Telerr.aDß—Press Association—Ceryrialit London, February 7. Tho National Conference has readied a crisis. Sir. Enoch Edwards (president of tho Miners' Federation of Great Britain) said tho miners were determined to ignoro tho existing agreements in connection with tho demand for a minimum wage. The South Wales coal-owners thereupon withdrew in consequence of a statement made that notification had been given to tear up tho agreement. NO MINIMUM WAGE. (Reo. February 9, tt.b a.m.) London, February 8. The mineowuers' and miners' conference has reached a deadlock. The owners admitted tho principle of a fair wage, and offered special consideration for abnormal places. They declined, however, to recognise tho individual minimum wage. The miners asserted that a settlement was impossible unless the minimum wage was conceded. WHAT THE MINERS WANT. Tho demands of the miners are for: (1) An individual district minimum wago to be paid under all circumstances to all men working at the coal face; and (2) the standardisation of wages t'o all "oncost" men and boys and youths on a definite scale. To these demands tho coal-owners replied (1) that they could not agree to tho demand for an individual district minimum wago for all miners working at the coal face, and that they adhered to the agreement made at the Board of Trade on July 30, 1909; (!>) that they could not agree to the standardisation of the wages of "on-cost" men and boys and youths on the lines proposed, and that they adhered to tho agreement made at the Board of Trade on July 30, 1909; and (3) that they aro willing to recommend the establishment of permanent machinery to deal with disputes in tho collieries regarding the rate to be paid in abnormal sections, where tho dispute affects twelve or more miners, and to recommend the classification according to ago and experience of boys and youths working at the coal face. CLOSING THE WORKS. Sydney, February 8. Following the rejection by the 'coal shale miners of tho increased wages offered by Commonwealth Oil Corporation, the latter has given a fortnight's notice of closing the works. WHARF LABOURERS RESUME. (Rcc. February 8, 9.45 p.m.) Newcastle, February 8. The wharf labourers have resumed work, pending a conference. GLASGOW DOCKERS' TROUBLE. (Rec. February 9, 0.5 a.m.) London, February 8. Sir G. R. Askwith's efforts to settle tho Glasgow dockers' trouble have proved abortive. The men are determined to fight.