INDUSTRIAL UNREST.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 78, 14 November 1911, Page 5

INDUSTRIAL UNREST.

ENGLISH RAILWAY UNIONS. MORE RECOGNITION DEMANDED By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (United Press Association.) , London, November 13. The joint committee of the cxecu.ivo of the Railwaymcn’s Association appointed a committee to-draft i scheme for the permanent fusion of he various railway unions. Mass meetings of railwayman at .arions centres considered the comnission’s report. General opinion at the Birmingham, Bradford and Huddersfield meetings favoured a strike for fuller - recognition of the unions. 'The Crowe gathering decided to give the commission’s ■ecommendatkms a trial. The Blandly railwayman announced their dc■ision to strike, but after a stormy meeting postponed their intention. SLATERS GO OUT. TWO HUNDRED CEASE WORK. Sydney, November 13. , There was another strike to-day, when 209 slaters ceased work, determined on an increase of one shilling. MT. LYELL STRIKE. . ENGINE-DRIVERS RESUME. Melbourne, November 13. The Lyell engine-drivers have signed the agreement, and the strike is ended. • .

A COMPLICATED SITUATION. Sydney, November 13. The- strike situation is becoming complicated. Some of the men are prepared to work under the agreement conditions, others only during certain hours. A large number assembled at Howard Smith’s wharf this morning, where it was proposed to start unloading the steamer Malliua. At six o’clock, when the call was made, only eight responded, but two hours later tiie required number started. When interviewed, the late starters stated that they had held a meeting and decided not to work cargo before eight in the morning and after live at night, unless paid overtime rates. WHARVES CONGESTED. COMPANIES REFUSING CARGO. The departure of the Mahono has been postponed till noon on Thursday. The wharf labourers knock off at live to-night, and work ceased. The ship-owners are firm in their refusal to allow a restart before G. 30. The men are equally determined not' to start at night unless allowed to restart at six. The Union Co. has now come into lino with the other interstate companies in regard to the stoppage .of night work. Already- the wharves are seriously congested, and the companies are compelled to refuse much cargo. Tiie strike of wool scourers and basil workers is interfering with the stock sales. Buyers are curtailing their purchases owing to the difficulty of handling skins. , _ A ballot of strikers is proceeding. Union officials ae hopeful that the result will be an early resumption.

NEW ZEALAND TROUBLES. SEAMEN CANCEL REGISTRATION ! (Per Press’ - ' ' P - M Auckland, November 13. The Auckland branch of the Seamen’s Union resolved by 160 to 9S to cancel its registration under thp. Art bitration Act. It is also reported locally that the Dunedin and .Welling ton branches have arrived at similar decisions. WELLINGTON MEN SATISFIED. Wellington, November 13.A conference representing the Seamen’,s Union Ahd--Shipowners’ Fedora-' lion, which lias been sitting in Wellington during the past few days discussing the seamen s demands for increased whges, Mias come to a provisional agreement, under which work is. to go on for the present. The men get am advance of IDs per month all round,}, preference of employment for unionists, and an increase of 3d an hour overtime rates.

After the pending award is made by the Australian Federal Arbitration Court in the dispute in Australia another conference is to ho held in New Zealand with a view to considering the question of making an adjustment bringing Australian and Now Zealand rates into line.