LABOUR TROUBLES

Taihape Daily Times, 6 February 1919, Page 5

LABOUR TROUBLES

TROOPS CALM AT GLASGOW TANKS SENT TO BELFAST. LONDON, February 4. The presence of 10,000 soldiers has calmed Glasgow. Tanks ana armoured cars are being sent to Belfast. The threats at Fridays' meeting to call out 200.000 London engineers on Thursday without the executive's approval has aroused opposition from the supporters of the union leaders.

MINERS' REFUSE TO PAY WAR TAXES.

MAKE GERMANY PAY

Received 9.30 a.m

LONDON, February 4

The Derbyshire Miners' Executive is i.Jvising the men to refuse to pay any mor,e war taxes. Responsible ministers during the election promised war indemnities would be recovered and Germany made to piay our costs; therefore the executive calls on the Government to cancel the war taxation and revert to the pre-war income tax land remove the war taxes on food.

MATTER BEFORE CABINET

INTERVENTION' UNLIKELY

PARLIAMENTARY CONSIDERA TION URGED.

Received 8.45 a.m

LONDON, February 4.

The grave industrial situation was the principal matter of discussion at yesterday's Cabinet meeting. It is understood the Government continues to refuse to intervene in unauthorised strikes because . it would be subversive of the authority of the elected leaders : of organised Labour and play into the hands of a mischievous section which, is making an effort to effect a social revolution. This subject will unquestionably "figure iiai'gely in Parliament, which opens to-day, in view of recent development. A movement is afoot, backed in responsible quarters, to convene a representative Trade Union Conference for the purpose of dealing wiTh industrial troubles on national lines. It is therefore suggested a parliamentary committee of the Trade Union Congress should invite all representatives of organised labour to discuss the current dispute and initiate national action for their settlement.

The outlook became considerably worso late on Monday night, owing to the electrical trade unions demanding 'Govern mtylV at Clyde. Baifast. <"and 'elsewhenc, A decision was reached after three hours' private discussion, but no figures of the voting tnanspirisd. The resoultion demands intervention with a view to the introduction of legislation making a national fortyhours week operative with: the object of absorbing all unemployment in the country. In the event of the Government refusing, the strike begins at six on Thursday rignt.

WELSH COALMINERS STRIKING* HOTEL WORKERS TO GO OUT. Received 10.25 a.m. LONDON, February 4. The London 'Electrical Trade Union in reference to the tubes agreed for the executive to meet Mr. Stanley today. Meanwhile they are delaying the extension of the strike. There have been several other stoppages. It is reported that eight thousand Carmarthenshire miners are idling 21 anthracite pits. The trouble arose through the management's effort to put down absenteeism. One hundred absented themselves on the excuse of attending a funeral. Six hundred were summoned and fined on Saturday. This precipitated the strike. The strikers are making an effort to bring out the whole anthracite coalfield, numbering seven thousand.

The London hotel workers have decided on an immediate strike, demanding an eight-hour day and the abolition of the system whereby tips are pooled.

A large number of London boilermakers, fitters and others resumed in defiance of the strike committee,'s instructions.

ULTIMATUM TO LABOUR MINISTER. TROUBLE OVER MEAL TIME. Received 9.40 a.m. LONDON, February 4. The Electrical Unions are to present their resolution to the Minister of Labour to-day and report the result to a further meeting on Wednesday. The decision involves ten thousand men claiming tfi* control of every power station in the metropolis. A resolution in almost identical language was carried by 68 votes to 29 by a conference of trades unions in the London district

threatening a strike in all engineering trades unless the Government legislates for a forty-hour weak. A delegate from the Clyde attended, and received an enthusiastic reception. In connection with the tube motormen's complaint that they are not allowed time for meals during the eight hours day, Mr. H. Stanley issued a statement that arrangements to which the unions agreed provided that where time is alloted for meal? It should he exclusive of the eight hours. FURTHER STRIKES IST WALES Eeceived 10.55 a.m. LONDON, February 4

The electrical workers in South Wales have struck for a forty-seven hour week. The collieries and other big undertakings arc seriously involved. The employers pointed out the withdrawal of men from the colleries would result in flooding and serious damage. The strikers in the meantime agreed for men to remain in the mines.

THE ELECTRIC AND RAILWAY STRIKES.

Received 11.10 a.m. LONDON, February 4

The extension of the strike to the district.railway power station Cuts off the power of the tramway services is a wide area from Tooting along the Thames alley to Hampton Court.

The railway executive is taking a firm attitude towards the strikers, it is believed that the executive has succeeded in convincing the War Cabinet they should not give way; thus no negotiations are proceeding. The Cabinet again discussed the situation. It is a significant fact that a number of soldiers on leave pending Cemobilisation were recalled by wire, suggesting that the Government intends to guard the power stations, and probably introduce military or voluntary staffs. The officials of the Electrical Trades Union, accompanied by a London "committee of engineering and allied unions,' attended Ministry of Labour and presented ah ultimatum. v r The electrical secretary declares the electrical engineering Avorkers are taking an unselfish view of the serious national situation, and proposed to strike on Thursday. It is intended to remedy unemployment by securing legislation limiting tho week's work to forty hours. Half a million men and woaen are already unemployed in Britain-owing to stoppage of war work, yet there is practically no unemployment among electrical workers.

Mr. Bromley, secretary of the 'Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen, says the soiety's executive supports the men, and intends calling out the steam train drivers on the lines having an electric section in the first instance, but if the men do not receive more honourable treatment in a few days there will be a national railway stoppage.

INTERVENTION NOT JUSTIFIED. Received 10.55 a.m. LONDON, February 4. The Press Bureau states the Ministry of Labour has received two resolutions passed at an unofficial conference of the London Electrical Unions demanding that the Government intervene in the Clyde, Belfast and London disputes with a view to introducing legislation to secure a national 40hour week. Agreements already exist between the union and employers fixing a 47-hour week, and the executive of the union concurs in the Government's view that circumstances do not justify Government intervention.

BRITISH AGAINST UNAUTHORISED STRIKES.

Received 11.25 a.m. LONDON, February 4. I The Amalgamated Society of Engiissacd a spirited protest, against the unauthorised strikes. It urged the unionisits to ignore the invitation to strike on Thursday. Jiarrow and Company have decided to gradually diminish output of their shipbuilding yards on the Clyde, simultaneously increasing the output at similar works at Vancouver. This is partially owing to the constant labour disturbances. THE CLYDE STRIKE. SIGNS OF COLLAPSE. LONDON, February 3. The Clyde strike Is showing "signs of collapse. Public confidence itas been restored in the ability of the authorities to control any further outbreaks. Six tanks, fully equipped, have arrived to reinforce the troops in Glasgow.

The Glasgow situation is improving. Eighty per cent, of the men have returned to work.

The Sinn Feiners interned in England will be released on Monday. In order to end industrial disorganisation, Cabinet has decided to take immediate action, the nature of which is unknown.

"Sixteen thousand.: waitresses have struck.