INDUSTRIAL CRISIS IN MELBOURNE

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 231, 24 June 1920, Page 5

INDUSTRIAL CRISIS IN MELBOURNE

CONFERENCE OF TRANSPORT UNIONS

STOPPAGE OF COAL SUPPLIES CONSIDERED By A6aoc|atipn-OopyrigJit Melbourne, June 23. The industrial situation is threatening to assume serious proportions. Tho determined stand of the Chamber of Manufacturers and the volunteers who are working at the gasworks, prompted the Trades Hall to convene a conference, of tho transport unions. The conference is understood to have considered the possibility of a stoppage of tho coal supplies to Victoria. There is talk in some quarters of a general strike; in others of a general lockout. Tho timber employers have already givon a week's notice to thoir employees. .Mr. Justice Higgins lias again summoned a compulsory conference of the parties in the gas dispute for Thursday. —Press Asan. POSITION MORE HOPEFUL (R«c. June 23, 10.45 p.m.) Molbourne, June 23, The strike position is more hopeful. The engine-drivers have agreed to settle the dispute with private employers on the same basis as that agreed to by the City Council, Already 120 employers Jiave agreed to pay the increases, and the men have resumed work at these establishments. The Transport Union conference met again and adjourned till as it is stated that there is a likelihood of a settlement boing effected at tho compulsory conference of employers and employees convened by Mr. Justice Hifgins for Thursday.—Press Assn. MR. JUSTICE HIGGINS STATES THE , CASE "THE. GOSPEL OF PKUSSIANISM." Miy Justice Higgins, President of the Federal Arbitration Court, having failed to get the parties in the gas dispute to settle matters by a compulsory conference, said, in the course of a, statement in Court, that he thought it his dutyto state for the public benefit the position of the dispute in' whioh the gas workers had ceased work in Melbourne. Since April last, His, Honour said, the union had served on tho company and other gas undertakings in several States a very lengthy log of demands, and insisted on certain concessions bofgre arbitration. At last the company offered to increase tho wages of all adults by Is. a day as from Slay 1. This, in addition to Ib. a day granted in December, meant an increase.of 12s, per week within five months. The union, however, insisted on an addition of 2s. per day from May 1, weekly rates instead of daily, and a special additional increase in the secondary wage of stokers, skilled men, etc., from 6d. to Is. a day. At the compulsory conference tho company offered to makq a weekly instead of daily payments, and agreed to iuorease the secondary. wage of stokers by fid. per day, and of skilled men by 20 per cent., on condition that there would be no stoppage of work until the'award; The company would not grant a third shilling per day, and the union would not accept less. Tho rate now offered for unskilled labourers is 13s. per day. "It is only fair to say," said His. Honour, "that if I ihad to award now on the latest returns of the Commonwealth Statistician, I should not feel justified in prescribing as much as 135," His Honour, referring to the.strike, said no workers were in a better position to forco their demands.at tho present juncture than the gas workers. That was probably why the gas workers were chosen. Thus was the . very gospel of •Priissianism—"niight'is right!" Meantime it had to, le recognised that to yield to demands because of, strikes encouraged more strikes hereafter.. The people of Australia, desired tnat those in employment should, have fair conditions. Ho acted upon tha.t theory, and Ji'o would continue to act on it. ; i MINE EMPLOYEES 7 DEMANDS Sydney, June 23. The ongine-drivers and firemen are claiming a six-hour day and J3B Bs. a week from the coal owners. Tho latter have declined .to entertain this claim, as tho mines are under the control of the Commonwealth.—Press Assn. wireless, operators; strike • CAUSES HOLD UP-OF SHIPPING. <Kec. June 23, 11.30 p.niJ) "' •''■;' London, June 23. _ The wireless operators' striko is holding up thirty''liners at Liverpool owing to the firemen, stewards and sailors' sympathetic strike. It is expected that sixty vessels will be hold up by the end of the week; Seven miles of docks at Liverpool are already at a, standstill, -Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.