INDUSTRIAL UNREST.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 52, 26 February 1912, Page 5

INDUSTRIAL UNREST.

IRONWORKERS IDLE. (By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (United Press Association.) a London, February 24. Eight thousand ironworkers are idle in Cheshire 'and . Flintshire, owing to jthe inability of the* collieries to renew contracts. -£,| PREMIER SUBMITS PROPOSALS London, February 24. • The Premier has submitted to the coal owners and miners important proposals, requesting an answer by Tuesday. MINERS’ STRIKE ARRANGED. Paris, February 24. The Miners’ Congress at (Angers declared for a 24 hours’ strike on March 11th. Possibly a general strike will take place if their demands are not conceded.

VINE-DRESSERS GO OUT. Paris, February 24. Twenty thousand vine-dressers struck for an increase of wages. They demand six francs and three bottles of wine daily in March and April, and francs and two ‘bottles of win© in winter. FIRE BRIGADE STRIKE. Adelaide, February 25. AH the firemen in the city and suburbs have struck, demanding that the Fire Brigades’ Board allow them to form an association affiliated to the Trades and Labour Council. The Board was willing to allow them to form an association, but opposed the affiliation. The men, without replying to the Board’s ultimatum, left their stations, which are now manned by volunteers. 4 The officers remained loyal.

A SERIOUS SITUATION. (Received 26, 8.5 a.m.) Adelaide, February 26. The firemen on all permanent .staffs throughout the State have struck. The Board has made arrangements to man three appliances with volunteers at the metropolitan station and suburban stations proportionately, provided the volunteers are not subjected to hostile demonstration. Strikers are picketing the stations, which the police are guarding. Four alarms were received. The volunteers responded well but all proved false. The Fire Brigades’ Board has ordered the managers of all places of public entertainment to appoint men from their staffs to attend to fire appliances. Business firms regard the situation as serious. In the event of a big outbreak it would be impossible for the depleted staffs to cope adequately with it. THE BRISBANE TROUBLE. Brisbane, February 25. Mr Coyne, addressing the strikers, said that funds were coming from all parts of the Commonwealth, and urged them to fight on. The Employers’ Federation report that large numbers are applying for •work, and propose to open a free labour bureau on Tuesday.

HELP FROM NEW SOUTH WALES. (Receive*! ‘26, 8.5 a.m.) Sydney, February 26. A representative of the Queensland strikers reports that as a result of a mission to the South Coast distinct the miners promised to do everything possible to prevent coal being s.hip*

ped to the Brisbane district. The Miners’ Association voted £2OO to the strike fund.

FEDERATION OF LABOUR UNIONS. Dunedin, February 25. The outcome of the conference of delegates of unions of labourers in the South Island, at present sitting here, is the formation of the basis and constitution of the Federation of Labourers’ Unions of New Zealand. The constituent unions are set out as follows :—General . labourers (including building labourers, quarry workers, wool and grain store workers); gas workers’ unions, and such other properly constituted industrial unions as may apply for admission and be received by resolution of the council. The objects of the association aro to confine to one body all kindred unions, in order that their interests may be protected, their status raised, and their conditions improved and. to overcome the difficulties arising from separate action.

The association is to be governed by a council composed of a president, a secretary and treasurer elected by a ballot of the whole of the members of the association, and one delegate from each [federated union.

The following pledge is to be exacted from each member of tho association: “I hereby pledge myself to accept and loyally adhere to the rules and constitution of the Federation of Labour Association; to conform to all its decisions, and not to work for less than the rate of wages fixed by the association, nor take the place of any person out on strike.” : ; The delegates at the conference are to act as a provincial council to bring about the federation.

STRIKE RIOTS. (Received 26, 8.5 a.m.) New York, February 25. At Lawrence, Massachusetts, foreign residents were roused by the police taking children whose parents were imprisoned in connection with.a strike to the police station. Riotous scenes ensued and the militia were called out. -There was a fierce aff fray and a number of arrests were made. ‘;o. A (Received. 26, ; 8.’5 ', Sydney, V The hotel employees at struck excepting; four hotels ■workmen’s clubs tvhioji union log. Tfie ;are; cepting one bar which - the ;; prbpripfeors manage. ' ( ’ss•, AUCKLAND LAJJOUR GON-i:‘ FERENOE; : Auckland,' February. Mr Webb, president of the Federation of Labour, and Mr/ Glover, secretary - arrives' :fpmorrow. Mr Parry, been here a fortnight! Theko / three, with the president of the General Labourers’ Union, will confer with employers, with a view to' a peaceful settlement of the dispute as to hours and wages, over which a stride is threatening.