LABOUR UNREST

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 122, 17 February 1919, Page 5

LABOUR UNREST

MOTION IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS GOVERNMENT'S POLICY CRITICISED MR. BONAR LAW'S REPLY By Telegraph—Press ABBOoiation-Copyright London, February 13. In the House of Commons, Mr. .W. Brace moved an amendment to' the Ad-dress-in-Reply, regretting the absence of definite proposals to deal with the industrial unrest. Mr. J. H. Thomas seconded the motion. He said that at present there werb a million men and women unemployed. The difficulties with the mines, railways, and transport workers were so serious that the country might at any moment be plunged into one of the greatest industrial upheavals. He protested that the Premier was neglecting to deal with profiteering as a cause of unrest, and urged the abandonment of secrecy in settling disputes. Mr. Bonar Law, in replying, in the absence of Mr. Lloyd George on important business, said he hoped the amendment would not be pressed. The country was facing a difficult problem. He urged the Labour members to refrain from condemning the Government before it had an opportunity of fulfilling its promises. Never in history were the employers more ready to agree that the woricers should have a larger share of profits. The eight-hour day for railwaynien was a big step forward. The Government was prepared to inquire into tho question of the nationalisation of coal mines. Any amelioration would be retrospective. The country was undoubtedly passing through anxious times, and the next few months .would be critical, but he believed it would be able to pull through. He urged-the employers to take their courage in their hands, and not- make it necessary to launch new enterprises. The amendment was negatived by 311 votes to 59.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. : SITUATION IN BELFAST AGAIN GRAVE EMPLOYEES' OFFER REJECTED. (Reo, February 16, 5.5 p.nv.) London, February H. ' Efforts to settle the transport workers' claims have reached a deadlock. In Belfast the trouble is. again grave. A meeting of strikers' unions carried a resolution against acceptance of the emoffer— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. BALLOT' FAVOURS CONTINUANCE OF STRIKE. (Rec. February IG, 11.30 p.m.) Belfast, February 15. The ballot favours the continuing of the strike. The troops took possession of the gas and electricity services.—Reu(ter.

THE COCKATOO BLAND TROUBLE Sydney; February 15. The watersjdera at Cockatoo Island have been told by the employers that their discs are suspended. This is interpreted as meaning that their services are no longer required.—Press A6sn. [A cable message' on Saturday stated tiat 500 men were idle on Cockatoo Island. 'Die watersidors were asked ».by the employers to. hand in their discs.This they refused to do, as the men considered it to be tantamount to being deprived of employment on the wharves.]

NEWCASTLE LABOUR COUNCIL TAKES A STAND -AGAINST" BOLSHEVISM. • - Sydney, February 15. A meeting of the xVewca6tle Eight Hour Committee decided to evict the Newcastle Labour Council from the Trades Hall, owing to the stand taken against Bolshevism.—-Press Assn.