WORK AND WAGES

Southland Times, Issue 18848, 14 June 1920, Page 5

WORK AND WAGES

MELBOURNE GAS WORKERS’ STRIKE. INDUSTRIAL ( HAGS THREATENING. (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) MELBOURNE, June 12, The city is faced with an industrial crisis comparable to the upheaval of LH7. Owin'’,' to tlie threatened action of factory engine-drivers and the st.ikc of the gasworkers, the city is one the verge of being plunged into darkness and industrial chaos. The State government has decided to do its utmost to prouct the community against wanton aggression and use all its resources to assist in maintaining the gas supply. The Premier ba.- rsiir.l an appeal [or volunteer workers stating that, strikers by their action have practically declared war on the community. CITY IN BAD STRAITS. ENGINE-DRIVERS IDLE. MELBOURNE, June 13. (Receiver! June Ri, Yd p.m.i The city is now facing the dismal prospect of being wiilanil gas, electric iight, and trains, as the engine-drivers denude ty decoded to cease work at midnight on Saturday. If any attempt is made to bring coal overland" to .-upply non-Unionist workers at the gasworks the la.ilwey workers threaten to strike. THE SYDNEY ENGINE-DRIVERS. NO TROUBLE TILL AFTER ROYAL VISIT. SYDNEY, June 13. (Received June 13, 5.5 p.m.i The secretary of the Engine Drivers’ Union states that a'thongh ;he men have similar grievances to th" Melbourne strikers there will be no (rouble in Sydney until after the departure of the Prince of Wales. NO SATURDAY WORK. SYDNEY, June 13. (Received June 13. 11.30 p.m.) The lion (races employees, by a four to one majority, decide.'! m favour of no Saturday work. AFFAIRS IN MEW ZEALAND. THE RAILWAY SERVICE. (Special to Times.) WELLINGTON, June 13. The evidence and argument in the locomotive men’s dispute has all been heard now by the Conciliation Committee dealing with the case. The committee of four business men will sit for a day or two deliberating, end thev should have their report ready for the Minister about Tuesday evening. WAGES OF WOMEN WORKERS. CHRISTCHURCH, June 13. At a meeting, mostly attended by women, held at the Trades Hall last night the following motion was carried; “That this meeting of Christchurch citizens is of opinion that women should receive equal pay for equal work, and in the case of the cost of living bonus being arranged, should receive it in full. It also asks that the next session of Parliament shall legislate in the direction of a higher wage for women.’’ A motion was also carried demanding the appointment o: a woman representative on the Arbitration Court.