INDUSTRIAL UNREST.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 31, 19 January 1912, Page 5

INDUSTRIAL UNREST.

BRITISH COTTON TROUBLE

(By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (United Press Association.)

London, January 18.

Many meetings have been held to test the feelings of the cotton operatives towards a truce. Thirteen hours snow storms have taken place in the North of England, and there is increasing suffering.

There are general regrets for not having struck in the summer, when coal and gas were unnecessary. Many operatives are economising by staying in bod in the morning, making the midday meal breakfast and dinner. Only 50 per cent, are receiving strike pay from some of the mills in Rochdale. There are many eases of extreme privation at Breakburn, .where the educational authorities are providing children with free meals. Judgment summonses against the debtors., have been adjourned for two months.

AMERICAN MINERS

New York, January 18,

Tho united mine workers of America in convention at Indianopolis favoured Government ownership of industries.

The Socialists launched a resolution seeking endorsement of their policy as a political party of tho working class.

A stormy debate followed. The question was finally adjourned. Many speakers objected to pledging mine workers to a political party.

STEVEDORES’ WAGES

Melbourne, January 18

Stevedores are increasing the stacking rates on oversea cargoes by 2d a ton, making 10,}d. It was pointed out that during the year they were compelled to increase wharf labourers’ wages 26 per cent.

DANGEROUS UNION BADGES

Brisbane, January IS

The members of the Tramway Employees’ Union donned union badges. The officials ordered them to be removed, but they declined, and many wore dismissed. Two-thirds of the employees belong to the union. A strike is expected. (Received 19, 9.35 a.m.) ' Brisbane, January 19.

Both sides are determined in the tram trouble. Men on the trams not wearing badges are hooted and jeered. The company stopped running all trams after business last night and did not attempt to run till a later hour than usual this morning. A large number of employees condemned the refusal of permission to wear badges. The speeches urged making a .stand for freedom. Developments are expected to-day. THREATENED COAL STRIKE. (Received 19, 10.40 a.m.) London, January. 18. The miners’ ‘conference lias'commenced at Birmingham. A ballot resulted in 458,401 being in favour of tendering notice and 115,921 against.

ALLEGED RIOTOUS MINERS,

(Received 19, 10.30 a.m.) Sydney, January 19

Owing to reported disturbances in connection with the strike of minors at Newnes a detachment of police left the city for the scene last night.

NEW ZEALAND WATERSIDERS

Gisborne, January 18

A meeting of the Waterside Workers Union to-night decided, by 58 votes to 55, not to cancel registration in favour of the Federation of Labour, but it was decided to take another ballot at a date to bo decided upon. Wellington, January 18.

The signatures of both sides in the waterside workers’ dispute were affixed to the agreement yesterday. The agreement is for two years, and preference to unionists is included therein. It is estimated that the increase in wages will amount to £BO,OOO to £IOO,OOO annually.

SHIPOWNERS AND SEAMEN

Wellington, January 18

A conference between representatives of the Seamen’s Union and Steamship Owners, which was commenced in November last, and adjourned after a provisional agreement had been drawn up and signed by both parties, was resumed to-day, Mr P. Halley presiding. When the last conference sat it was decided that the agreement arrived at, which was made without prejudice to either side, should remain in force, as the conference did not wish to make the terms final until the award of the Federal Arbitration Court was made known. Although the agreement was made without prejudice to either side, the union was of opinion that the question of preference to unionists has practically been settled, but it was found at to-day’s meeting that such was not the case. The whole question was re-opened, and the greater part of to-day’s sitting was occupied in discussing the subject in every aspect. When the meeting adjourned, the Question of preference had been practically settled to the satisfaction of the union. It is expected the conference will conclude to-morrow.