GETTING BACK TO NORMAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3037, 18 May 1926, Page 2

GETTING BACK TO NORMAL.

* RAILWAY AND DOCKERS STRIKE ENDED. London, May 16. A settlement has been reached between the railway companies and the railway unions in regard to the reinstatement of the railwaymen on strike. The terms of the agreement provide that the strikers,shall be taken back as traffic offers and work can lie found. The principle to he followed in reinstatement will be seniority in each grade. The trade unions admit that.in calling a strike they committed a wrongful act against the companies, and they agree that the companies do not by reinstatement surrender their legal rights to claim damages prising from the strike from the strikers and others responsible. The unions undertake: (1) Not again to call a strike without previous negotiations. (2) To give no support of any kind to their members to take any unauthorised action. (3) Not to encourage supervisory employees to participate in any strike.

The companies intimate that it may he necessary in consequence of the strike to remove certain persons to other positions, but- without reduction of wages. Each company will notify the unions within a week of the najnes of the men it is proposed to transfer. The companies 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 signing the railway agreement, All-. J. H. Thomas said that, considering all the circumstances, the settlement was eminently satisfactory, and lie hoped that the men would accept it in a

genuine desire to do all that was humanly possible to restart the wheels of industry. The Trades Union Congress reports a considerable improvement in the situation between workers and employers, and declares that the firms and big companies are more inclined to meet representatives of and make arrangements for resumption of work without raising the question of new 1 agreements. The London dockers’ strike has been settled. The general printing trade has made arrangements for a resumption on a day-to-day basis, pending a national settlement which will he discussed on Thursday next.

THE MINING DISPUTE. SETTLEMENT PROPOSALS OF . GOVERNMENT. London May 14. The mines Department announces that the Government’s proposals for settlement of the mining dispute are on the lines of the Royal Commission’s report. (1) Jn accordance with the Commission's recommeiuktions that all practicable means of improving the organisation and increasing the efficiency of the industry shall lie adopted. (2) The Government to immediately introduce four Bills giving effect to the Commission’s proposals regarding the amalgamation provision, a welfare levy on the royalty owners, the establishment of pithead baths, the restriction of recruitment in mines, and the establishment of a National Wages Board similar to the Railways Wages Board; also to set up a National Fuel and Power Council, on which Labour shall be represented; to set up a wagon committee and to appoint a committee to investigate the question of selling syndicates; lo appoint a committee to examine into ihe Coal Commission’s profitsharing proposals and family allowances; to prepare a scheme for the establishment of pit committees; to assist men displaced from the pits; to establish a committee on housing in colliery districts. (3) Before legislation is introduced a full statement of the Coal Advisory Committee to the Secretary of Alines, whose duty it shall be to review the progress of the fulfilment of the Commission’s recommendations, and to make recommendations thereon. In the event of the secretary of Alines deciding not to adopt any of the committee s recommendations, they shall be submitted to Parliament together with his explanation of his action. (4) The Govement to further financially assist the industry to the extent of £3,000,000.

(5) For an unstated period the miners to accept an unstated reduction in wages other than subsistence rates, the owners making up a proportion of the reduction and the Government the remainder. (6) Meanwhile a board to be established consisting of three representatives each from the coal owners and the miners, with an independent chairman to frame a national wages and hours agreement, to be ascertained after taking due consideration of the state and prospects of the trade, the reorganisation proposals, and other relevant factors, subsistence wages not to be reduced in any district where at present £2 ss, or less is being paid. The board shall issue its decision within three weeks, and in the event of disagreement on the'question of wages, the decision shall rest with the independent chairman. (7) If the parties agree that a Imporary’ alteration of the hours of work is advisable, the Government will propose the necessary legisla-

tion and facilitate its passage. (8) Any balance of the subsidy shall be available for a tapering subsidy after Ihe unspecified priod as previously mentioned, or otherwise as agreed upon. COMMUNISTS AIR-RESTED. London, May 16. Seven' Communists have been arrested at Salford, Afanchester, following a police raid of several premises. Charged with possessing documents contravening the emergency regulations, George Stewart, acting general secretary of the Communist Party, was remanded for a week on bail. The arrest was the sequel to a police search of the Communist headquarters on the second day of the strike.