Railway Settlement

Hokitika Guardian, 17 May 1926, Page 2

Railway Settlement

AGREEMENT EFFECTED. THE TERMS ARRANGED. [Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.] LONDON, May 14. A railway settlement has been reached. The terms of the agreement between the railway companies and unions provide that the strikers will he taken hack as traffic offers and work can be found. The principle to be followed in reinstatement will he seniority in each grade. The trade unions admit that in calling a strike they committed a wrongful act against the companies ’ and agree that the Companies do not. by reinstatement, surrender their legal rights to claim damages arising out of the strike from the. strikers or others responsible.

The Unions undertake first, not to again call a strike without previous negotiations; secondly, to give no support of any kind to their members to take unauthorised action; thirdly, not to encourage supervisory employees to participate in any strike. The Companies intimate it may lie necessary, arising out of the strike, to remove certain persons from other positions, but without a reduction of wages. Each Company will notify tho Unions within a week of the names of the men it is proposed to transfer, and will afford each man an opportunity of having an advocate to present his case to the general manager. The settlement does not apply to persons guilty of violence or intimidation.

At the conclusion of the signing of the railway agreement, Mr Thomas said considering all the circumstances the settlement was eminently satisfactory. Re hoped the men would accept it in a genuine desire to do all humanly possible to immediately restart tbe wheels of industry. Mr Baldwin (Prime Minister) was loudly cheered by co-operatives and to some extent by Labourites, when he gave the Commons the latest authoritative information as regards the industial situation before separation for the week-end. lie said the negotiations as regards docks and certain forms of transport were pursuing their normal course. An agreement was reached for resumption of the tramway tube services to-morrow, hut the terms were not yet available. He next referred to the prospects of an imminent railway settlement, which shortly after was entered into. The Premier said he had reached the conclusion there was no posibilitv of the parties of the mining dispute agreeing between themselves. He had therefore prepared proposals which he was of opinion would form a reasonable, fair basis of settlement, and which would he handed them at the week-end for consideration.

The Trade Union Council reports considerable improvement in the situation between workers and employees. The Council declares firms and big companies are more inclined to meet the representatives of the workmen

and make arrangements for the resumption of work without raising the question of a new agreement.

At a meeting of the underground rail way men’s union headquarters last night a satisfactory settlement of the strike was concluded between the companies and unions concerned. It is hoped a normal service of the underground railways of London Omnibus Company and allied tramways will operate in London to-morrow.

COAL SETTLEMENT. GOVERNMENT PROPOSALS. ■SOME AVAGE REDUCTION. LONDON, May 14. The .Mines Department announces that the Government’s proposals for tho settlement of tho mining dispute are on tho lines of the Royal Commission’s report. Tbe proposals are:— Firstly, that in accordance with the Commission’s recommendations, all practicable means of improving the organisation and increasing the efficiency of tho industry shall lie adopted. Secondly, that the Government shall immediately introduce four Bills dor the following end : To give effect to the Commission’s proposals regarding tho amalgamation of mines.

Provision for a welfare levy on the coal royalty owners/ The establishment of pithead baths. The restriction of recruitment in the mines.

The establishment of a National AA’agos Board, similar to tile Railway Wages Board. The setting up of a National Fuel and Power Council, whereon Labour shall be represented. The setting up of a Wagon Committee. The appointment of a committee to investigate the question of selling syndicates. The appointment of a committee to examine the Coal Commission’s profit sharing proposals and family allowances. To prepare a scheme for the establishment of pit committees. To assist the men displaced from the pits. To establish a committee oil housing in the colliery districts. Thirdly, it provided that, before the legislation is introduced, a full statement of the proposals shall be submitted by the Coal Advisory Committee to the Secretary for Alines, whose duty it. will be to review the progress and fulfilment of the Commission’s recommendations, and make recommenda-

tions thereon. 11l the event of the Secretary Tor Alines deciding not to adopt any of the Committee’s recommendations, these shall he submitted to Parliament, together with an explanation of his action.

Fourthly, the Government shall further financially assist the coal industry to the extent of three millions sterling.

Fifthly, for an unstated period, the miners shall accept an unstated reduction in wages other than the subsistence rates, the owners making up a proportion of the reduction, and the Government the remainder. Sixthly, meanwhile, a Board shall bo established, consisting of three tepresenta'iives each for tile coal owners and the miners, with an independent chairman, to frame a National Wages and Hours Agreement, and to fix the governing principle wherein the wages and the minimum percentage shall he ascertained, taking into consideration the state and prospects of the trade, the reorganisation proposals, and other relevant factors.

The subsistence wages shall not he reduced in any district where at present they are forty-five shillings per week or less. The Board shall issue its decision within three days. In the event of a disagreement on the question of wages, the decision will rest with the independent chairman. Seventhly, if the parties agree that a temporary alteration of the horns of work is advisable, the Government will propose the necessary legislation and facilitate its passage. Eighthly, any balance of the subsidy after an unspecified period as previously mentioned, or otherwise, as agreed,

MINERS’ ATTITUDE. LNDON, May 15. Tho Miners’ Executive last night considered the Government’s proposals and, after a long sitting, Mr Cook (tho Secretary) said the document must he fully examined by the Executive and in conference of delegates. He a'so said tho mine workers must have the proposals fully explained. LONDON, May 15. The Miners’ Delegate Conference, which assembled yesterday, brieflyconsidered the Government proposals in the morning, and adjourned till May 20, without reaching a decision (hereon. The delegates are proceeding to tlu-ir homes, where the scheme is likely to be examined. A statement says Mr Herbert Smith (Miners’ President) informed the delegates that the executive had decided that there was much in the Government proposals that required explanation. This would be sought from the Government representative during the adjournment of the conference. The conference carried a resolution expressing profound appreciation of tie self-sacrificing loyalty of their fellow trade unionists, and the conference pledged itself to assist to the utmost any organisation which, at the termination of the stoppage, was confronted with difficulties arising from the strike. PRESS STRIKE CONFERENCE. ’ LONDON,' May 14. There is still no settlement in the printing strike. A conference at London between tbe master printers and the Newspaper Society and the Printing Trade Unions discussed the icstarting of the general printing trade in London and the provinces, but adjourned. Similarly further meetings between the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association, representing the London newspapers, and the Printing Unions weie abortive. . The Directors of the Edinburgh “Evening News” have decided to return to the open shop principle in connection with their printing staff, jhe men have resumed oil that __ understanding. It is uncertain whether the Sunday papers will be published. The Federation of Wholesale Newsagents have resolved that they will henceforth conduct their businesses as free houses, and take on either union or non-union labour at pre-strike rates

and hours.Tho Scottish newspapers (except those deciding to employ non-union labour) have agreed to a resumption oil Saturday, the workers agreeing there will be no interference with the contents.

THE RESUMPTION IN LONDON LONDON, May 15.

The welcome nows that the strike had been settled brought great crowds to tbe city yesterday, but the normal facilities of transportation not having been restored, tho handling of the crowds provided greater difficulty than when the strike was in full swing. Trouble was added by the free-lance vehicles running when the strike was in operation stopping as soon as the strike was called off. Drenching rain made things most- uncomfortable, but the crowds accepted the position in good humour, and a' carnival spirit prevailed, under the realisation of the fact that the trouble was ending and normal conditions would lie restored.

The Prince of AA’ales, presiding at the annual meeting of the King Edward’ Hospital Fund, said he sincerely trusted the hopes of peace at present in the jwople’s mind would he realised.

Another symptom of London’s recovery of a placid outlook was the Queen shopping in Bond Street. Everybody has been commenting on the regular attendance of the Prince of AA’ales and the Duke of York to oberve the developments in the House of Commons.

Three thousand employees at Atherton Collierie, Lancashire, who were ton Collieries, Lanoahire, who were delighted to receive 15s each from the firm.

A week’s strike money was paid to fifty thouand Derbyhire miners at the rate of 15s a man, with two shillings for each child under fourteen. Funds which amount to £250,000 are expected to last a month.

Nottingham miners have no funds to distribute strike pay.

A GENERAL RFAHEAV. LONDON, ALay 14. A general review of the position shows an all-round improvement, though naturally the disorganisation means a delay in full resumption. Manchester has practically a normal tram service. The dockers announced a resumption at. most ports. Newcastle ship-yards are working. Glasgow is still unsettled. The only large body that resumed there to-day were the tramwaymon. The dockers and rail way men remained out, hut thev are expected to resume. The position at Hull is still unsatisfactory, but it is improving hourly. The Hull engineers, shipyard workers, and trail porters have received the assurance they required, but they decided not to return, hut to support the rail way men. This had been obviated by the subsequent decision of the railway men. At Portsmouth the strikers continue out, because of the refusal of the tramways to reinstate eighty dismissed men. Though the negotiations are afoot, the only people apparently at present dissatisfied with the course of events are those who issued the manifesto. The complete capitulation of the 1.1 C. followed hv the employers’ counter-attack, has created a serious situation for the working class. Unions are lett isolated, without national leadership. The Labour Party urges that a national conference of delegates from the Strike Committees be convened.

LABOUR’S ATTACKS. CHRISTCHURCH, Afay 17. Attacks on newspapers were the main feature of a meeting on Saturday called by the Labour Party in connection with the British strike. The Afayor (Rev. Archer) after calling the “Daily Mail ” a dirty literary rag, said: “ When I see absolute lies, misrepresentations and bitterness in the leaders of the Christchurch papers on political questions I cannot help feeling that no linotype man could reproduce them without feeling the moral degradation, ignorance and prejudice of the newspaper editors is so great, that the rubbish they write should he revised by the workers who reproduce it.” Afr i. Armstrong ALP.,- said the strikers at Home had closed the factories and that would have to he done in this country in time of industrial upheaval if the people were to he told the truth, which they never had been told during the time of industrial unrest in New Zealand.

Until wo get charge of the papers and reading world,” said Air F. R. Cooke, “we will have to strike and then we’ll take charge of the Government.”