LABOUR TROUBLES

Taihape Daily Times, 22 March 1919, Page 5

LABOUR TROUBLES

MINERS AND TRANSPORTERS.

Received 9.20 LONDON, March 21

Newspapers unanimously" regard Mr Justice Sankey's report as generous, and they approve the Government's attitude. They also urge that miners prevent a catastrophic strike.

Transport workers' negotiations are proceeding satisfactorily, and settlements have been reached at some ports, including London. It is understood the workers' demands are cotsceded

The British steamer Penlee is afire in mid-Atlantic. The Mauritania ana Wcrthener picked up S.O'.S. signals, and are now hurrying to the rescue.

BRITISH RAILWAYMEN

NEW PROPOSALS

LONDON, March 20

The Railway Executive have made a new offer which the railwaymen are considering to-night. Mr Thomas promises that the sitting will last all night #

The Press Bureau has issued a Board of Trade announcement that average arnings of railwaymen for 1913 was 28/6 weekly. Additions since February, 1915, totalled 33/ weekly. The increased cost of operating railways, due to war wages and the eight hour day, was seventy-five millions annually, plus twenty-five millions increase in the cost of materials. It is estimated that the cost, of the new programme of the xailwaymeirs unions, including the perpetuation of the war wages will be at least a hundred millions anuanlly or two hundred per centum over pre-war rates. The Government's offer when negotiations were resumed yesterday included the establishment of a joint committeei representing the railway's executive and the two unions to deal with questions of pay and conditions of service as they arise. The Government's offer assures the railwaymen of the continuance of the present earnings during the current year instead of their having to face the gradual reduction of the war wage as tno cost of living falls. The offer will ne-

cessitate an increase of railway rates

but it is hoped that any further great increase in passenger fares will be

unnecessary. A later cable states that the raiiwaymen adjourned without reach-in.., decision.