INDUSTRIAL UNREST.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 33, 22 January 1912, Page 5

INDUSTRIAL UNREST.

BRITISH COAL MINING

'By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (United Press Association.) London, January 21. The Welsh miners’ delegates strongly opposed the peace overtures. The English delegates bitterly complained of the South Wales demand for a minimum wage of Bs, claiming it was unfair to ask the rest of the miners to light for something they wore not asking themselves. The Welshmen refused to amend their demands, and the conference adjourned to February 1.

SYDNEY WATERSIDERS

Sydney, January 21

There is no change in the wharf labourers’ trouble. The steamer Electra is still held up. Though it was pointed out the cargo was loaded by a crew who wore all unionists, the wharf labourers reh,so to unload her.

The secretary of the union states he sees no reason why thoy should not unload her.

HAT MILLS STRIKE

Sydney, January 21

There is a strike at the Denton hat mills against the employment of a non-unionist. Throe hundred and fifty are idle.

BRISBANE TRAM STRIKE,

Brisbane, January 21

A fair tram service was maintained till nightfall, when it ceased. The company claims to be able to keep going. The strikers marched the streets in a body. Two of the men were arrested for disorderly conduct. All is quiet. Matters in relation to the tram strike are quiet. A restricted service is running, and the xdoHcc are patrolling the route without trouble. Mr Pondergast, president of the Federal Tramwaymon’s Association, states he is legally advised that the action of the Brisbane Company is illegal, and the Association intends to take action. Unless the case is heard before next month a big strike is likely.

(Received 22, 9.30 a.m.l

Brisbane, January 22

The tramway men asked for a conference of the company. Only three engineers in the power-house obeyed the call. The manager states that their places have been filled and there will bo no difficulty in supplying power. ■ m

THE LITHGOW TROUBLE,

(Received 22, 9.30 a.m.) Sydney, January 22

Mr Hoskins has arranged a conference of the Lithgow strikers for today to discuss the situation. As a result of the Lithgow strike, the Bulli colliery, which is largely dependent on the iron works to take its output of coke, is idle,Jt(vb hundred men being out.

LYTTELTON WATERSIDERS,

Christchurch, January 20. In connection with the agreement arrived at between the waterside workers and shipowners regarding increased rates of pay, etc., there appears to be some dissatisfaction among members of the Lyttelton Casual Wharf Labourers’ Union. This morning a number of the men approached the president of the union and said that they thought that soma steps should be taken in the direction of obtaining increased wages. After some discussion it was arranged that a meeting of the committee of the union should be hold to-morrow morning to review the whole position end formulate demands for 'increased pay. The result of the committee’s deliberations will be brought pefore a general meeting of the union on Monday. At present Railway Union men. who handle cargo in railway trucks, receive Is 3d an hour ordinary time and 2s overtime. Waterside workers have received a general increase of 2d an hour, and the railwayman intend moving for a similar increase.

COTTON SPINNING RESULTS. Mr. William Tattersall, of Manchester, has published his analysis of trading results of Lancashire cotton spinning companies for the twelve months ended November 30. Particulars are given of 76 mills, with a share capital of £2,806,798, and loans £1,394,792. The value of machinery, including plant, amounts to £3,288,317, and the total spindleage is 6,570,532, there being 2,687,3-18 twist and 3,883,184 weft spindles. The year opened fairly well, and moderate profits were declared at the December and March stocktakings, but the results published at the end of June and September were irregular and rather disappointing. Of the 76 companies, 45 have made a total profit of £79,724, and 31 concerns report a total loss of £48,711 during the past twelve months. On these figures the profit on share capital works out at a little more than 1 per cent, per annum, whilst the gain on shares and loan capital combined is per cent, per annum. Although the results arc not at all satisfactory, there is a distinct improvement on the previous year, when the loss on share capital was over 10 per cent, per annum, and on share and loan capital combined over 7 per cent, per annum. As 1911 draws to a close the prospects are decidedly brighter than for a long time back. For over three months spinners have enjoyed a remnneraf’ve trade, and most companies are expected to report satisfactory profits at the end of December stocktakings.—“ Financial Times.’