International Items

Industrial Unionist, Volume 1, Issue 3, 1 April 1913, Page 2

International Items

AUSTRALIA The South Coast coal miners have struck work because one, Waugh, was appointed Industrial Inspector, whereas the miners favoured Russell, lately victimised by the employers. A Royal Cornmis- ' si or i had sat re the victimisation, with tine result that Russell was exonerated. Nevertheless, the colliery owners refused to reinstate him. The Minister of Labour, fearing a strike, addressed and duped ilm men. lienee the present strike, which now involves the whole of the South Coast miners. The Sydney Gasworkers struck for better wages, etc. The business of the city, through lack of gas for lighting and locomotive purposes, etc., was in danger of paralysis. The Lord Mayor and his toadying retainers put in one short ►shift as stokers, etc., but blisters arid cramps were the main result. Four hours settled them. The strikers won out, and now the Melbourne Gasworkers are demanding similar betterment of conditions. At the time of writing, a comprehensive strike of Ferry service men around Sydney is on. The holiday steamers are tied up with the exception of those subsidised, especially for the occasion, by the Labour Government. Consideration re the convenience of the pubI'C ceases to be advisable when good nature is made a means whereby the wages of the good-natured ones may be kept down. Justice Hay do#, speaking in the Industrial Court, said it was very important to prevent strikes, and 1o settle conditions peaceably, but iMhe Arbitration Act does not prevent strikes, and the cost of its administration becomes too heavy, {he whole arbitration system must break down. It seems to us that lilt- ai bit ration system, not having pi evented strikes, must already nave broken down, regardless of the cost of its administration. FRANCE

A monster meeting of Socialists ?iiH Syndicalists was held on March 16th m fbe suburbs of Paris, as a piocost against certain new army i emulations. Everything was qaim until the police began to obU ct to the display of the red flag. Several were injured in the subsequent riot. ENGLAND

bVlien the London Taxi Drivers’ strike ended successfully, all the strikers were taken back, and all the scabs got the sack. The strike cost .the employers over £300,000. Eighteen thousand house painters, employed in London, threaten a strike failing compliance, with their demands for an extra Hd per hour and a 54-hour week.