TARIFF REFORM CAMPAIGN, ..„; -—-—■*—-—— '■■ THE POT AND THE KETTLE. BRITISH RAILWAY STRIKE. LABOUR IN PAPUA.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1623, 14 December 1912, Page 5

TARIFF REFORM CAMPAIGN, ..„; - —-—■*—-—— '■■

THE POT AND THE KETTLE.

BRITISH RAILWAY STRIKE.

LABOUR IN PAPUA.

BRITISH WORKERS' HARD LOT. By Telegraph—Prcfia Association—Copyright, (Rec. December 13,' 9.50 p.m.) . London,* December 13. Mr. Austen Chamberlain, M.P., in speaking at Glasgow, said British, trade during the nine months of the year had i'ncMiisod by ,£54,000,000,-as compared with the same , period of 1902, but the United States trade had increased by 138 millions, and Germany by 180 millions during the same period. It was true that unemployment had lessened,"but 1 many artisans had emigrated -to where work.'was plentiful. Wages, in Britain were not keeping pace .with.the.oo6t..of. : livingi!t The.viJnionists proposed 'that 'the'duties''on ''manufac- ' tured articles should average ten per cent., imd on foreign' wheat two shillings a quarter. .'.On other foodstuffs the duty would not exceed 1 five per .cent,, with an-abate-ment or exemption in favour of the'colonies. The food duties would, not bo inoreased without coming to,the people for a fresh mandate.

V • 0 UNIONIST ATTACK ON LIBERALS. Br T«loara.»ii—Press AGFoclaUan—CoDyrlsht . (Rec. December .13, 9.50 p.m.) London, December 13. Mr. George Wyndb'am.M.P,, presided at a meeting of Unionist, members of tho House of Commons, at which it-was decided that, in view of Mr. Lloyd-George's crusade against tho landowners, to institute an inquiry/intothe administration of the property of Ministers of tho Crown and other, wealthy Liberals. ■

fr ... A FRUITLESS •CONFERENCE. . By Telegraph—Press Association—OopyTifht (Rec. December 19, 11.5 p.m.J London, 'Deoember 18. The conference between tlia North East-' orn Railway Company, and tho strikers lasted twelve hours, but was without result. The company is' willing to reinstate the driver Knox, who was reduced after a conviction in the Courts, if Mr. Chester Jones, the presiding magistrate, finds that the oonviction was not justi- . fied, and is willing to withdraw tho sum- . mouses. A deadlock has arisen through the company's refusal to dismiss the' volunteers who joined during the strike, and its declaration that men promoted must remain in their new rank. The difficulty is purely one of principle, as probably only fifty of tho strikors will be compelled to await vacancies. ' Eight policemen, an inspector, and two bus conductors gave evidence that the driver Knox was drunk. Tllere were minor contradictions in the evidence.

. NATIVES AVERSE TO WORK. By Telegraph—Pr«BS Association—Copyright (Eeo. December 13, 9.50. p.m.) Melbourne, December 18. The annual report of the Govornmont of Papua states that.the only difficulty in the way of the development of the territory is tho scarcity of labour, though tlie extension of Government influence is continually increasing the area open to recruiting." In some districts the natives become so used to the white man's luxuries that they regard labour for Europeans as tho normal feature of existence. . The supply of labour, however, is insufficient, and a form of racial despair, possibly induced by civilisation, has grown up in tho shape of apathy or indifference to the perpetuation of the race. The labour question is further complicated by the communistic system, which is not' conducive to tlie material advancement of the natives.