INDUSTRIAL UNREST.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 43, 15 February 1912, Page 5

INDUSTRIAL UNREST.

A RESULT OE THE STRIKE. (By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (United Press Association.) Sydney, February I*l. Mr C!ninths states that the defeat of tlio Labour Government in South Australia was the direct result of the Brisbane strike. South Australia was paralysed by the recent strikes, whilst farmers were stampeded by the possible extension of the Brisbane trouble throughout Australia. The papers told the people that the Labour Governments brought about the strikes'. Hence the debacle. He added that every prominent Labour politician regarded the strike as a nice blend of imbecility and barbarism.

STRIKERS REMAIN QUIET AT BRISBANE. POLICE PATROLS NORMAL. Brisbane, February I*l. The strikers are quiet. Tremendous crowds gathered at the hall, but no announcement was made. The strike committee has not yet played the trump card promised for Wednesday. The police patrols to-day consisted of the( ordinary force. Members of several unions were openly released from the strike bond. Coyne declines to say upon what terms the employers are generally taking the men back, and asking no questions. SHIPPING DIFFICULTIES. Sydney, February 14. The steamer Pilbarra brought back from Brisbane her cargo, being unable* to discharge it owing to the strike. None of the shipping companies are accepting cargoes for Brisbane, although they are booking passengers. A GENERAL STRIKE. Newcastle, February 14. The Labour Council considered the request to join a general strike,’ but decided that/such action would not assist the Brisbane unions. TRADES HALL PERMITS. 1 (Received 15, 8.5 a.m.) Brisbane, February 15. The strike committee has issued an order . for certain butchers and bakers to return to work. They presented themselves at work with Trades Hall permits. Some of the masters recognised the permits, but others declined to take the men back. This is the first open tost of the preference to unionists issue. All the big employers are holding out and the Employers’ Federation declares that it will stick to non-union-ists.

A stick of dynamite was found wedged in tramway points. There was no detonator attached, hut the weight of the tram would have exploded it, if it had not been for its timely discovery.

A mooting of Mackay wharf labourers decided to resume. The Bundama miners resolved to' stand firm and not to return until the whole of the other unions do.

COMPENSATION. FOR SEAMEN

Melbourne, February 14

The Federal Executive has authorised the coming into force of the Seamen's Compensation Act to-morrow.

TRAMWAY EMPLOYEES’ PLAINT

(Received 15, 8.5 a.m.)

Melbourne, February 15

' The Federal Arbitration Court dealt with an application from the Perth Tramway Company to fix a time and place for hearing of the plaint by the Tramway Employees’ Association against the tramway companies in the various States. It was ordered to bo hoard in Melbourne, probably next week. BUILDING LABOURERS STRIKE Perth, February 14. The building trades labourers have struck for an increase to ton shillings a day. AUCKLAND FISHERMEN. Auckland, February 14. Matters connected with the fishermen’s strike have become more acute. Yesterday the dealers mot and unanimously resolved to refuse the price demanded by the 300 men concerned.

The fishermen are just as determined in the attitude taken'up on Saturday. A conference will bo held to discuss the situation. The dealers want Mr Harle, Government Conciliation Commissioner, to act as mediator.

A FIGHT TO A FINISH. Palmerston, February 1-1. At a meeting of the advisory committee of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union held at Palmerston to-day, the following resolution was passed- “ That in view of the manner in which the men at the Gear Company's and Meat Export Company’s works struck work, this executive is strongly of opinion that their demands should be resisted to the utmost, and urges farmers in their own interests to support the companies by every means in their power, and if a crisis arises that the producers and their sons at some personal sacrifice should even go to the length of providing labour to carry on the industry; that this strike is only another instance of the futility of the Conciliation and Arbitration Act, which leaves the worker free while placing restrictions on the employers, and this executive would urge Parliament to provide some more suitable

moans of adjusting disputes of tnis nature which would leave the adjustment to those in tho trade, and deal summarily with those pernicious agitators who are so often alone responsible for interfering with the harmonious relationship existing between tho employers and their employees.”

GREYMOUTH WATERSIDERS. Greymouth, February 14, The Greymouth Wharf Labourers’ Union are making certain demands on the shipping companies for increased rates of pay, and meetings arp h e ld constantly to decide what action is to bo taken. The press is not admitted, but it leaks out that tho union is making demands for much increased rates of pay. UNLOADING CEMENT.

Christchurch, February 14

Regarding the refusal of tbe wharf labourers at Wellington on Tuesday to unload cement from the Mohowai, which was not packed in paper lined bags, Mr W. P. Murray, manager of the Textile Bag and Sack Company, states that a resolution was arrived at by tho Waterside Workers’ Conference on September 1, 1911, to the effect that wharf labourers would decline to unload lime and cement after January 1, 1912, unless packed in paper-lined bags; consequently his company had only four months in which to manufacture the bags. In October last the cement manufacturers of the Dominion were informed by his company that it would bfe impossible to supply the bags until the middle of February, 1912, and the Waterside Workers’ Federation agrped to suspend their refusal to handle cement unless in paper-lined bags till that date. The first shipment of tho bags reached Auckland on February 10, the cement companies in tho meantime having used all possible expedition to meet the requirements of the waterside workers. Previously these comcnt bags were made in Calcutta by coolie labour, but are now being made at tho company’s works in Dunedin. The company’s principal works are in Christchurch, but in re- ’ . * * ■■ • v ; . ■ spect to these cement and lime bags* they found that owing to the freight charges on the church line tjiey could not protfuco them |iere profitably, and cQfisbquept' ly they are being made the company .having erect^'‘Bppcihl machinery for the purpose!,' . It ,-js probably only a question of. time' whmj all chemical manhros.' will ihnyo packed in similar bags' to for cement and lime. A ’■ « k v 'p