Second Edition INDUSTRIAL UNREST.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 50, 23 February 1912, Page 6

Second Edition INDUSTRIAL UNREST.

POSTPONEMENT NOT FAVOURED: BY WELSH OWNERS. I THE MINERS EAGER. Uly Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (United Press Association.j London, February 22. Mr Thomas says tiie Soaln Wales miners have made up their minds against a postponement of the strike. The negotiations will proceed as well with tiie pits stopped as working. The only service required of the Government will be to preserve order and protect property.

Mr Hartshorn, who is the guiding spirit of the miners, speaking at Maestog, said the miners could not be beaten. No leader could approve of any other course than a strike without being guilty of treachery. Sir E. Grey, Mr Lloyd George, Mr S. Buxton and Sir G. Askwith will attend with the Premier at the coal conferences.

GOVERNMENT’S RESPONI SIBILITY. London, February 22. Mr F. Smith, at Ramsgate, said all sections will support the Government in any well considered efforts to prevent the arbitration of force in connection with the impending coal strike. If the Premier introduced reform of the House of Lords ‘ this session he would be defeated, lacking a majority in favour of tho measure.

NO GERMAN SYMPATHY. (Received 23, 8.15 a.m.) Berlin, February 22. The “Vossische Zeitung,” commenting on the coal crisis, declares the domestic situation in England shows tho imminence of a terrible labour struggle, also that the revolutionary struggles about Home Rule, and tho reform of the House of Lords explain a sudden desire for arrangements with Germany. The concensus of newspaper opinion is that a sympathetic German coal strike is not likely.

THE POSITION AT BRISBANE. Brisbane, February 22. The Employers’ Federation claims that thqre.ds: ample labour for transport’ -work; including shipping. Negotiations are proceeding , for tho importing- 3 6f a-large'supply of Japanese coal at, an early date. ... Employers-in-the-timber trade have declined to confer with the men.

*- j,T£q strikers are. much disappointed fth.l |r|port from! Melbourne that the compulsory tramway conference has proved abortive. A SHORTAGE OF COAL.

t .MJ| re gjfdne#? EetfruaiV 22. The strike committee at Brisbane have advised their representative in Sydney that no coal is available for the Queensland wood being r l>tj|’jsed, ; a 9 nd;' instructed ; him,- to proceed . to-The; South.iGda-sti mining districts and arrange that no coal be shipped to Brisbane. The representative added that he had been officially advised, fthat Newcastle would* be all ’right, ‘meaning that no coal would be sent to Queensland from there. SYDNEY WATERSIDERS. Sydney, February 22. ■, Wharf labourers hung up the Adelaide Company’s steamer from Brisbane, declaring the cargo had been handled by non-unionists.

THE FLAXMILL TROUBLE. Palmerston, February 22. From seven to eight hundred flaxmi!! hands assembled at the Municipal Hall at 11.30 to-day to consider the dispute between the Flaxmillers’ Association and the Flax Workers’ Union as to the conditions of employment of swamp hands, etc., and whether a strike was advisable. The men left the mills throughout the West Coast at the bidding of the Flax Workers’ Union to attend the meeting, the mills having to close down. Mr R. H, Dalhnnsio, president of the Flax Workers’ Union, presided, and the morning was devoted to discussing the situation, which had arisen owing to the recent deadlock in the conference between the mill owners and the men’s union.

At two o’clock Mr Hally, Conciliation Commissioner, avlio came up from Wellington for tlie purpose, addressed the meeting, "which fully resolved to leave the matter to a meeting of the executive committees of the men’s and the employers’ unions, presided over by Mr Hally, to bo held bore at an early date; Tuesday next if possible, Tlefore the meeting closed at three o’clock, the present political situation was considered, and it was resolved to free J. Robertson, member for Otaki, who was nominated by the flax employees’ unions, from his pledge to vote against Sir Joseph Ward, and to strongly urge him to vote for the Government on a no-confidence motion. The motion was carried by acclamation, with only two dissentients, both of whom, it was explained, had no votes in the Otaki electorate, while the others bad. The meeting closed with cheers for “Robertson and Radicalism.” The meeting was not open to the press. The men returned to their various districts to-night, and Mill resume work at the mills to-morrow. “STRIKE THE ONLY WEAPON.” Christchurch, February 22. The annual conference of delegates from the Locomotive Engine-drivers,

Firemen and Cleaners’ Association was continued to-day, when further resolutions were arrived at.

A motion was agreed to unanimously protesting against the heavy punishments inflicted upon loco. men. Tho principle of conciliation for dealing with grievances was affirmed, and it was decided to ask that a board be sot rip, consisting of two members representing the association, two representing the Department, with one of tho Conciliation Commissioners as chairman.

It was stated during the debate that it was no wonder that outside unions were discarding the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act, as the Government advised their own employees to have nothing to do with the Act. This meant that a strike was the only weapon of defence for railway employees. It was generally agreed that soma means ought to bo provided to decide disputes with the Department when other resources failed. The arbitration system at present in vogue was strongly condemned by all delegates. It was decided to ask that'the Superannuation Act be amended so that the Government shall pay compensation for death, irrespective of benefits under the Superannuation Act. It was stated that as the employees themselves subscribed for the benefits under the Superannuation Act, the Government should insure its employees in the same way that outside employers do. It was decided to ask for long service holidays, on the same lines as that in vogue in most of the Australian States. It was resolved that when a Departmental inquiry is being held a representative of the association should be present.

It was further resolved that all accidents on the railways be inquired into by an impartial board of trade, on similar lines to the British Board of Trade. It was decided to ask that overtime rates be paid for all time worked between ,10 p.m. and 6 a.m. ; that time and a quarter should be paid men after doing fourteen hours’ work, and that double time be paid for work over 14 hours on Sundays. It was decided that 10 hours should be the minimum time a man should be booked off for rest between days of long hours.

A DRASTIC SUGGESTION. (Received 24, P. 30 a.m.) 1 London, February 22. The AVholesale Provision Dealers’ Association at Bristol has decided to suspend credit terms to retailers in South "Wales, in the event of a strike.