INDUSTRIAL UNREST.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 44, 16 February 1912, Page 3

INDUSTRIAL UNREST.

EVERYTHING -REMAINS QUIET AT BRISBANE.

NEGOTIATIONS PROCEEDING

(By Electric Telegraph-—Copyright.) (United Press Association.s Brisbane, February 15. Strike matters arc quiet. Coyne states that the movement towards meeting the Employers’ Federation is proceeding satisfactorily.

SIGNS OF COLLAPSE

(Received IG, 9.50 a.m.) Brisbane, February 16

Mr Coyne, on behalf of the strikecommittee, addressed a letter to the Employers’ Federation stating that he was prepared to moot in conference with a view to arranging resumption of work by all unionists except the tramway men, whoso case is before the (Arbitration Court.

Hundreds gathered at the Trades Hall in place of the thousands on previous days. The leaders did not address the gathering which soon dispersed. The bulk of the special constables are being disbanded. The majority declined to accept payment for their services.

The Govornor-in-Council has made an order of removal of the name of Joseph Codings from the Commission of the Peace. Codings is one of the strike leaders.

AN UNDERSTANDING WANTED

Westport, February 16. Mr Semple, organising secretary of the Federation of Labour, leaves next week for Australia to arrange an understanding with the coal miners and waterside workers of the Commonwealth. THE MINIMUM WAGE. (Received 16, 10.40 a.m.) London, February 15. Mr Ramsay MacDonald moved an amendment to the Address-in-Reply, regretting that no mention was made of legislation to secure a minimum wage or of the nationalisation of the railways, mines, and other monopolies. He dwelt on the world-wide labour unrest, and said the voice of labour demanded legislation. He predicted that the year would be troublesome and full of trials and difficulties.

GLASGOW. DOCKERS

(Received 16, 9.20 a.m.) Lrindon, February 15

There' has , been renewed trouble with the Glasgow; dockers, owing to the men refuting,’ to) abide by the settlement. . - The shipowners announce jbhat; there- •w'.ijF Jbe-'-a,(''complete lockout-, pnless sectional -strikes cease. '

COAL STRIKE FEARED

(Received 10, 9.20 a.m.)

London, February 15

Fearing a coal strike the Scottish blast furnace owners have given theii workmen a fortnight’s notice. Mam miners in Northern Nottinghamshire refused to give notice because they art being asked to fight for something less than they have already got.

STRIKES CONDEM NED

(Received 10, 9.50 a.m.)

Melbourne, February 16

Mr O’Malley echoed Mr Griffiths’ statement that the Brisbane strike was responsible for the defeat of the South Australian Government. He ; declares that strikes are an economic | waste. Unionists should give money so i wasted to a' Labour Finance Committee to buy shares in industrial conj corns and acquire the interest neces- ! sary to elect labour directors and ] thus control the industry and regulj ate wages and conditions. It was i not preference to unionists or high wages which damaged the cause of r Labour but strikes, which.,could all be averted by a few sensible men gath- : ered round the table. Strikes were

always settled at such gatherings, but to the disadvantage of the workers.

EMPLOYERS INTERRUPTED

Auckland, February 15. lA conference of all the employers

Sj oi' general labour, representatives of PI suburban bodies, quarry owners and eleven members of the City Council was held to-night to consider whether representatives of the General Labourers’ Union should be met on an equal footing to consider the proposed increase in wages, and the improvement in working conditions in certain classes of labour. After a discussion lasting.two hours, it was resolved that while the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act is the law of the land, the conference would decline to make agreements outside the Act, and confirms its .previous resolutions. /• After other resolutions had been carried, members of the Labourers’. Union, who had been waiting without*,' burst into the room despite the remonstrances of the. city longinacr, and used, it is said, violent and- insulting language towards the conference. Among the invading force were Messrs W. Parry, vice-president of the Federation of Labour, Fraser, president of the locaLLaltourers’ Union, Adams, secretary, and Mason, vice-president same body. The Mayor informed the men they had no right there, and they only left after a messenger had been instructed to ring up the police. The Mayor states that subsequently, in his room, Mr .Parry said to him: “I will deal with you later.” Ho then left. ,