THE VISIT TO AUSTRALIA .

Hokitika Guardian, 26 May 1920, Page 1

THE VISIT TO AUSTRALIA .

MANY UNIONS -DEMAND DOUBLE PAY. SIDNEY, May 12. The Australian unionist never lets the :grass grow his feet. Australian unionists, generally, did not approve of the visit of the Prince when it was first suggested—but, since they have been wooed to a better way of thinking, and wiil join in the very cordial welcome which the young man is likely to receive jiero, they are going to do the best they can for themselves out of the occasion.

The Sydney tram men have formally notified the Government, which, in this State is their employer, that during the ten days the Prince will be in Sydney in June, they expect double pay. Should this claim be agreed to, the conductors would receive 26s 8d per day and the drivers 30s 8d per day. The union is making the claim “ because of the greatly increased risk to life and limb they would be subjected to because of'the enormous crowds which, it is expected, will almost overwhelm the tram service; also because of the harder work entailed in collecting fares, and the strain on the nerves of the drivers in consequence of the crowded streets. On Armistice Day, when the tram men stuck to their jobs, although everybody else ceased work and joined in the general rejoicing, they were granted double, pay, and ,they have apparently taken this us a precedent. there has been a persistent suggestion that the miners intended, dui mg the Prince’s visit to strike in order to .dr their perennial grievances. iheii leaders scout the idea. ’They say tnat, so far as they are concerned, the Prince ■‘wiil get a clear run.” The fact of thy natter is the miners, though apparently much dissatisfied, tear to strike at this time. It is winter, and they have no money saved, owing to their long period or idleness during the shipping strike, juch little money as they have has been mopped up by Broken llill, where the scll-sacrificing unionists have been in idleness for a year novv on money subscribed by miners elsewhere. Caterers’ employees generally are demanding double wages during the lloyal visit—and are likely to get them. They, at any rate, will have nothing in the shape of a holiday-—and they have been mightily encouraged by a report that the. New Zealand waiters and waitresses got all they asked. * There will be enormous crowds in Sydney and Melbourne—and they will not by any means include all the people who want to come. All the available accommodation has been booked up, but anxious enquiries are coming in in shoals. The preparations in Melbourne and Sydney are well advanced now. There ;yas some doubt about Sydney s showing, but that has passed. Sydney is to be 11 a blaze of light and colour. The Labour City Council and the Labour Government are doing their share i quite worthily; and the various communities—Stock Exchange, banks ware. houses, retailers, public bodies, American business men, and so on—have divided the city into sections and are whir' with each other in decorating them. Only the heavier work lias been done so far, but the plans generally are elaborate, creditable, and well advanced. '