INDUSTRIAL UNREST.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 70, 18 March 1912, Page 5

INDUSTRIAL UNREST.

THE ENGLISH COAL STRIKE

London, March 16

It is officially stated that the Premier informed the conference that tin Government would ask Parliament fo a legislative declaration that a rea sonable minimum wage, accompanies by safeguards for the Employer, shouh he a statutory portion of all contract? witli underground coal miners. He stated that though the Govern ment had done its utmost, he regrettes that it was found impossible to con chide a full agreement, and consider mg the consequences to the peopt other measures 'must I)o'taken.

Without pledging the Government h.- regard to the precise machinery ti bo taken, the Premier indicated thaa direct minimum would be fixet loca’.y by joint boards of employer: and employed, with a neutral inde pendent chairman selected by the par t:es. or, if necessary, by the Government. The proposals include provisions foj securing prompt dealing with disputes The South Wales and Scotch mine owners have not participated in tin last two days of the conference, desir lug tlic Government to take the responsibility of the minimum wage They believe Parliament should assun them a more adequate safeguard thar U'o voluntary agreement. The real cause of the breakdown in tiie negotiations is tho refusal t( agree to arbitration either upon tin amounts of the minimum or the nature of the safeguards. It is expected that the Bill will lx introduced on Tuesday. The Miners' Federation meets again on Wednesday and, if possible, will then advise tin resumption of work when the Act ro ceives the Royal assent, without wait-' ing for the local negotiations -settling { wages. Stanton, a Welsh delegate, has declared that if the Bill does no’: nnei with their approval work will not be lesumed until their terms are conceded The Times says that Government action may fail to end the strike, may even, in fact, prolong the agony, ant that the Labour Party’s attitude if not promising. The Daily Mail says that the Pre mier’s proposal is compulsory arbitration on an Australian parallel. The Daily Graphic states that the proposal is the fundamental aim ol trades unionism. Mr Pember Reeves, referring to Mr Arthur Chamberlain’s suggestion regarding nationalisation, said that one might as well talk of nationalisation of the moon. It was no use to discuss remedies which take ten years to carry out. There was a free fight at tho miners’ hall, Sunderland. When 2-100 were receiving strike pay, those who wore not entitled to receive pay, owing to arrears of subscriptions, stormed the hall and prevented its distribution. Thread mills at Paisley, employing 12,000 workers, close to-day. The steamer Omrah left Plymouth for the Hook of Holland, where she coals. PREPARING THE BILL. (Received 18, 8.5 a.in.) London, March 17. The Lancashire and Cheshire Miners’ Federation’s first week’s strike pay absorbed £30,000. Many strikers in North Wales, Doncaster, Chesterfield, and several disj tricts in Scotland arc anxious to re-

sume. The older miners in South Wales are chafing at the inactivity and the short rations.

Thirteen thousand at Elswick shipbuilding yards received a week’s notice.

The Lowmor Coal and Iron Company, Clackheaton, are re-opening their collieries on Tuesday on the basis of whatever wages Parliament fixes. The bulk of their colliers are willing to resume.

The miners’ loaders permitted the re-starting of pumps, obviating the danger of flooding the South Staffordshire mines. Cabinet discusses and deals with the Bill. The Premier had half an hour’s audience with the King. At the Premier’s invitation the coal owners and miners have appointed representatives to confer with the Government in the preparation of the Bill. BRUSH IN LANARKSHIRE. (Received 18, 8.45 a.m.) London, March 17. Many mine owners ask for a clause onalbling them to vary or cancel existing contracts which otherwise would be unremunerativo or ruinous owing to the increased cost of output under the Minimum Wage Bill. Fierce debates in Parliament are expected. Huntley and Palmers have intimated that if the strike is prolonged they intend to turn their biscuit factory into a bread factory in order to keep their hands going as long as possible.

A thousand travellers for Manchester firms are temporarily idle. Strikers and police came into conflict at the Rose Hall pits, Lanarkshire, whore two hundred non-union-ists are working. A sergeant was badly injured. Ten arrests were made, including four Poles. Mr Nicholson, Unionist M.P. for Hampshire, speaking at Petersfield, said that if the Bill was carried it would be a prelude to every trade union demanding a similar benefit. Mr Straker, secretary of the Northumberland Miners’ Union, said the Government’s attitude was the beginning of recognition of a minimum wage in all industries. LABOUR TO BE IMPORTED. (Received 18, 9.35 a.m.) Sydney, March 18. Mr Beeby has announced that the Government found that it could not construct the necessary railways under the present condition of the labour market. It had lieen decided to import two thousand English navvies and bridge carpenters. THE LITHGOW STRIKE. (Received 18, 9.35 a.m.) Sydney, March 18. A ballot of Lithgow strikers 'overwhelmingly rejected the proposed terms of settlement. ALLEGED SEDITION. (Received 18, 8.45 a.m.) London, March 17. Benjamin Buck and Charles Buck ('printers) and Bowman (journalist) have been committed for trial on a charge of publishing seditious matter m “The Syndicalist.” DISCONTENTED CARPENTERS. New York, March 1(3. Fifteen thousand carpenters in Chicago have voted in favour of a strike, to commence on April Ist, unless they receive an increase in wages. BRISBANE UNEMPLOYMENT. Brisbane, March 17. As many men are seeking work, the Treasurer promised a deputation of employees to the Harbour Department employment when it was available, but he would not discharge those who had helped in the time of strike.