INDUSTRIAL WAR.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1373, 26 February 1912, Page 5

INDUSTRIAL WAR.

THE COAI. TROUBLE

MR. ASQUITH MAKES IMPORTANT PROPOSALS. INTENTION OF EMPLOYERS. By Telegraph—l'rcs.t Association—CopyriEht (Heo, February 25, 5.5 p.m.) London, February 21. The Prime Minister (Mr. Asquitli) lias submitted to the coal-owners and miners important proposals, requesting answer? on Tuesday. Eight thousand ironworkers have been rendered idle in Cheshire and Flintshire, owing to the inability of collieries to renew contracts. London. February 23. The National Federation of Collieries' engine men have decided to cease work in tho event of a strike. They will, however, keep water out of the collieries. The Prime Minister conferred with the leading coal-owners, and afterwards with tho King, who was desirous of being informed regarding tho strike. The Transport Workers' Federation Conference at Manchester resolved to give any assistance the miners required, including refusal to handle home or foreign coal. Lord Dudley's agent has advised him to permanently close the Saltwell's Colliery in the event of a strike. Host of tho manufacturers of potteries (employing 50,000 hands), leading ironmasters in South Staffordshire, and J. and P. Coats, Ltd., cotton spinners (employing 10,000 hands), have notified that there will bo a stoppage of work in the event of a strike.

PEACEFUL PICKETING. 1 London, February 23. The Chamber of Shipping of the United Kingdom held a vigorous discussion regarding the abuses of peaceful picketing, and resolved that the Government must deprive trade unions of the right conferred by the Trades Dispute Act rf inflicting damage with impunity. Sir Walter Runciman, President of tho Board of Agriculture, although a Radical, said he strongly supported the repeal of the Act.

FRENCH MINERS' DISPUTE. (Rec. February 25, 5.5 p.m.) Paris, February 25. The Miners' Congress, st Angers declared in favour of a twenty-four hours' strike bit March 11 to influence Parliament to grant their demands. There will possibly be a general strike later if thuj are not conceded. [A recent referendum of French miners resulted in an enormous majority declaring iii favour of a strike unless Parliament legislates to grant a pension of two francs (Is. 7d.) daily at the age of fifty, to those who have worked for 25 years.]

DISSATISFIED VINE-DRESSERS. (Kec. February 25, 3.5 p.m.) Paris, February 24. Twenty thousand vine-dressers at Ay have struck for an increase in wages. They demand six francs and three bottles of wine daily in March and April, and three and a half francs and two bottles in tho winter.

THE BRISBANE STRIKE. Brisbane, February 24. The Government has completed negotiations for the supply of a largo quantity -of coal.from, Japan. . Sydney, February 24. The secretary of the Labour Council lias forwarded an additional -C3OO to the Brisbane strikers. . . (Eoc. February 26, t-io a.m.) Brisbane, February 25. Mr. Coyne, addressing the strikers, said funds wore coming in from all parts of the Commonwealth. Ho urged them to fight on. The Employers' Federation report that large numbers arc applying for work. It is proposed to open a free labour bureau on Tuesday.

ADELAIDE FIREMEN. (Rec. February 26. 0.45 a.m.) Adelaide, February 25. All the firemen in the city and suburbs have struck. They demanded that tho Tiro Brigades Board should allow them to form an assoeiafion to be affiiliafed with tho Trades and Labour Council. The board was willing to allow them to form an association, but was opposed to affiliation. The men, without replying to the board's ultimatum, left their stations, which aro now manned by volunteers. The officer.? remained loyal.