INDUSTRIAL UNREST.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 46, 19 February 1912, Page 5

INDUSTRIAL UNREST.

ENGLISH COAL MINERS. (By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (Dinted Press Association.) London, February IS. The Northumberland mine owners rejected the deputies’ and enginemen’s application to cease work. In the event of a strike the mine owners resolved that regarding collier’s notices, they /would not depart from the principle of payment according to the work performed. Several newspapers in London and the provinces 'urge the Government to somehow stop the strike. It is reported that the Industrial Council is about to bring the masters and men together with a view to offering to set up a royal commission, the men to resume work while awaiting the findings of the commission whereon .a ballot will be taken. FRENCH MINERS MAY STRIKE. < , Paris, February 17. A referendum of French miners resulted in an enormous majority in favour of a strike on March 1, unless Parliament legislated to grant miners a pension of two francs daily at the age of 55, ‘after 25 years’ work. WORK RESUMING AT BRISBANE. I Brisbane, February 17. There was a large gathering in the Trades Hall on Saturday. Mr. -Coyne in an interview said that the Employers’ Federation having rudely spurned the proposals the conference had nothing for it but the prolongation ,of the trouble. If the strikers wanted the strike called off they would have to get someone else to do it, and appoint a new strike committee. They had the necessary funds behind them, and now that the Sydney and Newcastle lumpers and miners‘were with them, while the men were prepared to stand firm they would (fight on to the bitter end. , In reply ,to a question as to when the climax was likely to come, Mr Coyne (replied : “When the Employers’ Federation approaches the committee with a view to settlement.” , The Musicians’ Union has decided to resume forthwith. The master builders propose to resume to-morrow. ( Many compositors have returned to the papers, Avhich >are publishing larger issues. The North German steamer Prinz Waklemar arrived. Her cargo was discharged by inon-ymionists, assisted by the crew, under police protection. There was no attempt at interference. SYMPATHETIC SYDNEYITES. Sydney, February IS. The Wharf and Coal Lumpers’ Union apparently ,do not consider themselves bound by the recent decision of the Transport Workers’ Federation, as telegraphed by the Brisbane Strike Committee. They will not work cargo handled by nonunionists in Queensland. RAILWAY WORKERS’ POSITIONS, (Received 19, 6.10 a.m.) London, February 18. The Great Central railwaymen have officially notified that in the event of a coal strike many will bo reduced in grade or temporarily discharged. A NATIONAL CATASTROPHE. (Received 19, 8.10 a.m.) ■ London, February 18. Speaking at Manchester jSir Edward Grey said:—“The most serious question to our mind is the possibility of a universal coal strike. It would be the greatest national catastrophe in our history. He trusted wisdom would be found to avoid the ruinous cost of learning in the school of experience 'what was learnable beforehand.” ; , THE ATTITUDE OF THE CHURCH. (Received 19, 8.45 a.m.) London, February 18. The Upper 'House of Convocaticin has passed a resolution of deep sympathy with .the efforts of the Government and the representatives concerned to effect a fair and reasonable settlement .of .the coal dispute. The Primate described the threatened strike as cutting at the heart of English life, and affecting practically :all industries and homes. The Bishop of Manchester thought all would sympathise with the principle that labour should le a first and not a last charge ton the industry. Big Sheffield, Wolverhampton, Dudley and other firms have resolved, in the event of a strike, to close their less profitable departments. The coal owners have taken elaborate precautions. There .are indications that in the event of a" strike a big fillip will be given to the South African coal export to India, Egypt, West Africa and South America. Inquiries are progressing as to facilities for billeting soldiers in South Wales. Mr Oompton-Rickett recommends the Government to arrange the postponement of notices for a month provided the owners concede the minimum. leav.ng 1 he Industrial C-.uncU to settle the amount. WELLINGTON MEAT WORKERS. Wellington, February 19. In connection with the meat men’s strike the wharf labourers on Saturday refused to comply with the edict issued by the Federation of Labour that the men were not to handle the products of the Gear 00. or.the Meat Export tCo. A consignment was put on board the Drayton Grange in the ordinary way. A man approached a gang working meat andi after making use of some filthy terms!

struck one of the workers knocking him down. Tl.e assailant then, decamped. BELGIAN MINERS CHARY. / (Received 19, 8.45 a.m.) Brussels, February IS. The minors are unwilling to call a sympathetic strike to help the English colliers because the failure of the Borinago strike has strained their pecuniary reserves. THEATRE STRIKE (SETTLED. (Received 19, 8.10 a.m.) Madrid, February 18. The theatre strike against excessive taxes has been settled. THE FLAX INDUSTRY. Palmerston, February 19. Serious trouble is threatened in the flax industry and a strike immenint over the question of a uniform minimlum rate of pay of swamp hands. A conference was held on Saturday between the Flaxmill Employees’ Union , and the Flaxmillers’ Association representatives but broke up without any agreement ’ being arrived at. , Subsequently delegates of the employees held a conference to discuss the question and the following resolution was passed: ‘That a mass meeting of the union be held in the Municipal Hall on Thursday, 22nd, to deal with the highly unsatisfactory reply from *tho Flaxmillers’ 'Association ] that the meeting be held at 11 a.m. and,that a definite decision as to the course of action to be ar--rived at. It is not known yet what will happen. The time fixed for the meeting on Thursday, however, means that every mill in the province will be stopped for a day.