RAND AGITATORS OUTVOTED.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1818, 2 August 1913, Page 5

RAND AGITATORS OUTVOTED.

DELEGATES DISGUSTED.

NO STRIKE.

LORD GLADSTONE CRITICISED IN PARLIAMENT. '

HIS ACTION ENDORSED,

By Telegraph—Frees Association—Oopyrieht Johannesburg, July 31. Fifty delegates of the Amalgamated Engineers' and Bailwaymen'a Union passed a resolution to the effect that tlio Goternment's offers and the employers' termii were inadequate. A meeting of the Trades' Federation resolved that thero would be no general strike at the present juncture. The men, will rely on industrial and political organisation to remedy the grievances. (Reo. August 1, 10.45 p.m.) Johannesburg, August 1. Tho Labour Federation has resolved that the delegates aro "disgusted with tho Government's attitude." A resolution dociding against a strike was carried by 65 votes to 18, the minority being all extremists. The minera voted solidly against the strike.

The enforced discharge of many workers from the mines owing to the repatriation of the natives is causing anxiety.

PUBLIC SYMPATHY ALIENATED.

(Sydney "Sun" Special.—Aug, 1, 7.10 p.m.) London, August 1. Tho Bishop of Pretoria, in a letter, sta'les that public sympathy was at first in favour of tho men, but since tho latter's rejection of the employers' terms, and their attempts at intimidation, opinion had changed. The public is desirous of ascertaining the views of the workers themselves, and believes that a ballot would that a big majority of the men are in favour of a fair compromise.

The Miners' Federation has adopted a resolution that a minimum wage of five shillings per day for surfacemen should bo fixed. A proposal that members should contribute ono shilling per annum as a free grant to tll6 Labour paper, the

"Daily Citizen," was rejected. Tho Federation recommended investing a sum equal to a shilling per member for three years, on condition that it was given, representation on the board of directors of tho paper.

DEBATE IN THE COMMONS,

(Rec. August 1, 10.45 p.m.) London, August 1. In the House of Commons, Mr. E. L. Outihwaito (Liberal), in moving the reduction of the Colonial Office vote, declared that the Imperial troops in South Africa had been used to buttress a brutal and inhuman system. Tho death 'rate amongst white miners was 300 por 1000 yearly. Mr. Lewis Harcourt (Secretary of ~Stato for the Colonics), in reply, justified Lord Gladstono's use of tho troops. Tho Gov-ernor-General, ho said, bad acted promptly in circumstances of great difficulty, and under tho advico of tlio responsible Ministers of a self-governing dominion. Mr. Bonar Law (tho Unionist Leader) agreed that Lord Gladstone's action had been necessary. Mr. Outhwaite withdrew his motiott.