WORK AND WAGES

Southland Times, Issue 18821, 14 May 1920, Page 5

WORK AND WAGES

FRENCH GENERAL STRIKE. GOVERNMENT AND THE FEDERATION. (By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, May 12. There is no confirmation of the statement that the French Government is discontinuing action against the General Confederation of Labour. Paris messages declare that the feeling of the country and the Chamber strongly supports the Government, which opened the campaign by raiding labour offices and residences of officials. The Federation in a manifesto protests against the search and seizure of documents as illegal owing to the absence of the interested persons. A BORDEAUX MOVEMENT. BOYCOTT OF STRIKERS. PARIS, May 12. According to the Matin the Government’s action against the Confederation of Labour is not framed to dissolve trade unions. Bordeaux trades people have organised an anti-strike movement, and will boycott all strikers by refusing them supplies. TROUBLE IN AUSTRALIA. SEAMEN THREATENING TO STRIKE. THE 44 HOUR WEEK. SYDNEY, May 13. The seamen are again threatening to strike, stating that the agreement made as a result of the last strike has not been adhered to by the owners. The master builders have decided to appeal to the Government to uphold the law in connection with the strike against Saturday work. A ballot among the iron trades unions resulted in a majority in favour of the 44 hour week. Tire annual report of the Chamber of Manufacturers states that an organised effort is being made by the Trades’ Hall Council to smash the 48 hour week; therefore the Chamber has decided to strenuously oppose any change in existing conditions respecting hours of work. AFFAIRS IN NEW ZEALAND. IDLE DAY AT TAUPIRI. A QUESTION OF TRUCKS. (Per United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, May 13. There was no work at the Taupiri coal mines to-day, the miners contending that there were not enough trucks for all the day’s work, and that it was not worth while going underground for half a day. The railway authorities in Auckland state that 98 trucks were ready at the mines this morning, and that a sufficient number for a full day’s output of coal would have been available before the afternoon.