WORK AND WAGES.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 51, 1 March 1913, Page 8

WORK AND WAGES.

TOM MANX, THE SYNDICALIST. 'By Electric Telegraph.—Copyrigh i.; (United Press Association.) (Received 9.15 a.m.) London, February 28. it is stated that in the event of a railway strike, the train porters m ill participate. Tom Mann and other syndicalists are arranging for joint action. BOSTON DRESSMAKERS’ STRIKE (Received 8.5 a.m.) N'ew York, February 28. The three thousand shirt-waist dressmakers in Boston have struck for higher wages. HA TM AKERS UISSATISFI ED. London, February 28. Fourteen thousand hatmakers in London are balloting on a strike. They allege that the employers violated a recent award, and they also insist on the dismissal of non-union-ists. . GAS COMPANY’S STRIKE. .■Sydney, February 28. Th employees of the North Syd uey Gas Company have struck, de manding a shilling a day increase ir wages. The/ strike is the outcome of a refusal of the Arbitration Court to sit as a Board to deal with an application by tho employees for Is a day increase on the 1911 settlement, under which any increase hy tho aw ard enables the companies, under the Gas Bill, to pass the cost on to tin consumers, but, where obtained other wise, they arc unable to pass it on. Mr Justice Heydon, in refusing the application, expressed doubts a« t< whether the Arbitration Court Cat jurisdiction to act as a wages board The gas strike surprised both the company and the Gas Employees Union. A meeting of the depart ing and the new shifts yesterday night decided to stop and immediately took action. Tho office staff anc exports kept tho supply up to-day but unless a settlement is arrived a! North Sydney will be gasless tomorrow night. A Labour Council deputation inter viewed the company’s manager, anc admitted that the strike was precip Rated against the union’s discipline It urged that steps be taken to obtaii a wages award, so that the men could obtain an advance to be passed on to the consumers. Tho manager declared that there would bo no oppo -sition to an increase if it could be passed on. It represented a tota of £6OOO, and the reduction of th‘prico of gas under the new Act re presented another £6OOO. The raei must return to work before anythin;, could bo done. Subsequently, at

a conference between the compan; and the men’s representatives, tin company insisted that resumption was imperative before any further negotiations.

Tho Australian Gaslight Company’: emoloyees at Mortlako works, whicl serve large suburban areas, to tho number of 600, have joined the strike The employees of the company’s city, works are still in. Further developments are probable. With a view to even Dualities, the city gas supply has been reduced to-night. Tho sudden ness of the move left the companies unprepared and unable to keep up the supply beyond a day or two The outlook is serious. Already abou a thousand men are out. Tho city gasmen are out, addi up 270 to the strikers. Lamps and candles are in great demand. Manl; is tho only other company so far an affected, and it is expected to Jon tho strike. MIN IST Mil OF LABOUR OX THI SCENE. VOLUNTEERS RESPOND ANT KEEP THE LIGHTS GOING. (Received 9.15 a.m.) Sydney, March 1. The Hon. Mr Carmichael, Ministei of Labour, is hurrying back to town from Yass, where he has been elec tioneering. It is believed he in tends to commence injunction proceedings against the gas strikers. He arrived this morning. Unless the men resume, tho city will be without gas to-night. The North Shore Company is advertising for 400 men. Fifty volunteers worked the North Shore retorts last night, hence at the worst there may bo a glimmer there to-night. It is rumoured that the North Shore men will resume if tho Mortlako resumes. Last night a conference held by the industry and the Registrar, was resnltless, but it will bo continued to-day. SE E KIN G ELECT 1() N HON OR S. Mr I). Watson, who is retiring temporarily, from the presidency of tho Colliery Employees’ Federation in order to prosecute his campaign for election to the Senate. This is interpreted to indicate that the miners do not anticipate trouble in the northern coalfields.