LOCK-OUT BEGUN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 30 July 1929, Page 5

LOCK-OUT BEGUN

IN LANCASHIRE COTTON MILLS WAGES DISPUTE HALF A MILLION OPERATIVES IDLE (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) (Australian Press Association.—United Service) LONDON, 29th July. The Lancashire cotton mills lock-out has begun. Eighteen hundred mills and half a million operatives are virtually idle. Though the deadlock continues in the Lancashire cotton mills, there is a ray of hope in the fact that while manufacturing and weaving unions decline to consider a reduction, the spinning section seems anxious to work out a separate agreement with, the employers who will probably be prepared to modify the present demand for 12£ per cent, reduction. Enginemen and firemen continue at Ihe old wage, ending a general settlement. The Brondhurst Company is one of the firms keeping mills open on the basis that wages are not reduced. It is estimated that 10 per cent, of the Lancashire mills will maintain wages unchanged, and will keep on working. PRIME MINISTER MAY INTERVENE LONDON, 29th July. Hopes have been aroused that spinners and cardroom workers will seek to negotiate a separate agreement. In that event the employers are likely to modify the wage cut. Lancashire opinion is that the next step rests with the Government. It is understood Mr MacDonald is considering personal intervention.