First Edition. INDUSTRIAL UNREST.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 73, 22 March 1912, Page 6

First Edition. INDUSTRIAL UNREST.

SUNDRY OPINIONS. By Electric Telegraph.—Copying) t.) (United Press Association.) (Received 21, 10.10 a.an.) London, March 20. Opposition newspapers describe the Minimum Wage Bill as inadequate and q sham. “The Times” considers that the public at present prefers a gentle solution, but possibly radical treatment will bo required sooner or later. The owners generally consider the measure to bo a makeshift. The masters in the Federation area who conceded the minimum last autumn were encouraged to believe that the question was to have been fought out again shortly. Many miners regard the Bill as satisfactory, especially in North Wales, where there is much distress. SETTLEMENT STILL FAR OFF. (Received 21, 11.45 a.in.) Loudon, March 20. The Miners’ Federation Conference, contrary to the advice of the executive, passed a resolution that the Bill would not bo acceptable unless it provided a minimum of five shillings for adults and two shillings for boys and schedule rates for hewers. The Labour Party was requested to move necessary amendments. At the start there were differences regarding the inclusion of the schedule for hewers. The Welsh and Scotch delegates combined and carried the point by a majority of twelve out of a. hundred and forty. The conference adjourned till Friday. Mr Hallam, interviewed afterwards, said: “Wo are as far from settlement as ever.” A conference of surfacemen of York - shire and Derbyshire, representing ten thousand, passed a resolution tuat unless the Bill includes a minimum wage for surfacemen the strike is to continue. Middleborough is importing German coal for the relief committee but the dockers refused to unload it. Tbs corporation was divided on the point but the majority arranged for volunteers to unload. TOM MANN’S ARREST. (Received 21, 11.45 a.m.) London, March 20. The extreme Radicals sharply heckled Sir Rufus Isaacs regarding Tom "Mann’s arrest on the ground That- it was an interference with free speech.