LABOUR TROUBLES

Taihape Daily Times, 25 January 1919, Page 5

LABOUR TROUBLES

SERIOUS SITUATION IN ENGLAND. LONDON, January 23. Reports from various parts of the country indieiate that s'orious industrial unrest is prevailing, and will require prompt and tactful handling by the Government. Although the miners’ extravagant ultimatum is not accompanied by a time limit, the ■situation continues to cause anxiety. Meanwhile a strike involving over 150,000 Yorkshire miners appears imminent in consequence of the Yorkshire Association’s decision to call out all men and boys on Thursday, owing to the employers locking out lOJOOO men 'and boys ’for faking twenty minutes’ food time. The Association’s resolution .adds that it will withdraw tire whole of the collery workers unless a settlement is reached by noon on Saturday.

LONDON, January 23

It "isi reported that most of the matters in dispute in the London 'engineering trades have now been settled. The majority are expected to return to work to-day.

jßailwayrrfen’s meetings, representing ICO branches and 180,000 memb’cirs, threatened drastic faction ‘unless an eight-hours’ day was granted and other grievances removed. Some on the north-east coast have ceas'ed work.

The Metropolitan and provincial police have forwarded 1 a statement of their demands to tjie Government

The engineers’ sThke has taken a more hopeful turn in London. Several employers have already granted concessions The Labour Ministry urge a give and take attitude.

GENERAL STRIKE IN SCOTLAND.

EXPECTED ON MONDAY,

LONDON, flam 23

The Clyde worlds’ ' demands threatens to develop into a general strike of workers in Scotland on Monday, although the movement has not tlvv definite sanction of many trade unions involved.

THREATENED STRIKES. ENGINEERS AND POLICE. MAY GO OUT, Received 9.25 a.m. LONDON, January 22. A prolonged meeting of London engineers was held with a view of planning a national strike if employers refuse the men’s terms. The AmagLamated Society’s secretary declares the arrangement for a 47 hours’ week temporary, with a view of enabling a settlement to be made on a. national basis. If the men decide to take strong action it will probably culminate in a demand for a forty-four or forty hour week. The dispute in the northern shipyards regarding forty-seven hours holds up repairs of many ships.

The Police Union officials state the authorities do not attempt to meet the men’s demands, and a strike ballot will be taken all over the country.

EIGHT-HOUR DAY TO BE INTRODUCED. IN BRITISH RAILWAY SERVICES. Received 9.5 a.m. LONDON, January 23. The Railway Executive Committee has practically completed arrangements for the establishment of an eight-hour day from February Ist. The change will he effected gradually, ultimately necessitating largely increased staffs. Meanwhile the men will be paid on the basis of an eight hour day. FURTHER STRIKES INEVITABLE. Received, noon. LONDON, January 23. A Yorkshire miners’ strike on Thursday is inevitable. The coal owners are still decliningTo permit the customary stoppages for meals. The Ministry of Labour, after considering the engineers’ and shipbuilders’ dispute, informed the Employers’ Federation and trade unions which drew up the agreement that they ought, to settle the points arising therefrom. Meetings of the parties will be held in London on Wednesday and continue on Thursday.