INDUSTRIAL UNREST.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 24, 11 January 1912, Page 5

INDUSTRIAL UNREST.

COTTON DEADLOCK

London, January 10. The cotton conference has virtually reached a deadlock. The operatives’ representatives decl nod to recognise the masters’ terms. The men suggested a half year’s truce, pending alteration of' rules regulating the position. The masters demanded an unconditional surrender. A mass meeting at Blackburn protested at working with non-uinion-ists. It is estimated that the fortnight’s stoppage of the mills has cost £3,500,000. GERMAN COLLIERS IN SYMPATHY. (Received 11, 9.10 a.m.) London, January 10. The “Daily Chronicle” states that in the event of a British strike German colliers will strike simultaneously. WEST AUSTRALIAN RAILWAYS. Perth, January 10. The Minister cf Railways insists on the men submitting their demands to the Arbitration Court. The men insist that they have not struck, but have only stopped for the,purpose of conferring. UNION LEADERS’ MISTAKE. ‘ (Received 11, 9.40 a.m.) '! . London, January 10. The “Westminster ' Gazette” states that when .the trade . union leaders started the . cotton strike in two sheds they did not expect the employers to lock-out 100,000. They now, realise ..their mistake arid ttitt anxious to vet out of the difficulty by the proposed secret agreement with the masters regarding the employment of nonunionists. The masters have refused to take this stop. EIGHT HUNDRED IDLE. (Received 11, 10.50 a.m.) Sydney, January 11. Notwithstanding a recent speech declaring that efforts were being made bo inaugurate industrial peace, Brown’s Pejawmain Colliery is idle through the action of strike clippers, who were dissatisfied over the dismissal of two of their number. Eight hundred workers are affected.

GENERAL LABOURERS. Christchurch, January 10. At a meeting of the General Labourers’ Union it was reported that the ballot on the question of the union joining tbs New Zealand Federation of Labour (registered) resulted in the proposal being carried, tho voting being 217 in favour, and 59 against. WATERSIDEES’ DEMANDS. Wellington, January 10. Representatives of the waterside workers have been in conference in Wellington, and have drawn up the following demands for minimum rates of pay, and will present them to shipowners this week:— Open ports (Lyttelton, Wellington, Auckland, Timaru): Stevedore and general cargo work and shed work, 3d increase on ordinary time, and 6d increase for overtime; manures and sulphur, 6d increase on ordinary time, Is increase overtime; shovelling ogettes, briquettes and pebbles, ordinary time 2s, overtime 2s 9d; , shovelling coke in bulk and shovelling 6d increase on ordinary time, Is increase overtime; coal work (New Zealand coal), shovellers, bulk rope men, winchmen, tramwaymon, tippers, stage men, plankmen, and hnlkmen, 3d increase on ordinary time, 6d increase overtime, carriers 2s 3d ordinary time, 3s 3d overtime; foreign coal, shovellers, bulk rope men, winchmen, tramway men, tippers, plankmen, and stage men, 2d increase over native coal rates for trimming New Zealand coal, 3d increase over the present rates for ordinary, and 6d overtime; for trimming foreign coal, 2d increase over native coal rates; for overhauling work on. ships, such as scrubbing, chipping, cleaning and painting, outs’dc work, whether at the wharves or tho patent slip, 3d increase on ordinary present rates, and 6d overtime; for handling frozen goods, all men to work at uniform rates at all ports, 2s for ordinary time, and 3s overtime, out ports. The men engaged ot work on cargo at other ports shall he paid from the time of leaving until their return ,at the rate of 12s per day (including Sundays), with meals, fares, and sleeping accommodation provided, a fraction of a day to count as a full day. .Men shall not lie engaged to proceed to ports where a- waterside workers’ union is in existence.

i At tidal ports (Baton, Nelson, Westport, and Dunedin), for handling all live stock, all manner of shovel work, ’ending and discharging timber, ordinary time shall be 25., overtime 2s Gd ; pinmen or tippers 2s and 2s Gd ; explosives 2s Gd and 3s; coke (bagged) 2s and 2s Gd; coke (in bulk), 2s Gd and 3s. .Men employed shifting ships or hulks, rigging, gear, and plankraen 2s and 2s Gd. Work connected with all oilier cargoes to be paid for at the rat' of Is Gd and 2s Gd ; ballast, 2s and 2s Gd ; frozen meat and other produce, 2s and 3s; sulphur, manures, cements and lime. 2s and 3s; cleaning holds, 2s and 3s; overhauling ships, Is and 2s Gd.