LABOUR TROUBLES.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3585, 22 September 1920, Page 5

LABOUR TROUBLES.

STATE MINES STRIKE,

FOUR IDLENESS

WELLINGTON, Sept. 21

The Premier stated in the House this afternoon that the State coal miners had “gone out” for four days as a protest against the retention of conscientious objectors. Sir R. H. Rhodes explained that 14 prisoners were concerned —three for criml

offences, the remainder being defaulters. Mr Holland asked if the Premier’s information was hearsay. Hi? (Mr Holland’s) information was that the trouble originated from another cause. Mr Massey added that the official communication stated that the ostensible reason was the Broken Hill levy.

BRITISH COAL CRISIS

LONDON, Sept. 20

After Sir R. S. Horne had unavailingly appealed to the miners’ representatives at the coal conference to accept an impartial tribunal with reference to wages, the miners’ executive met privately and dispersed without again meeting Sir R. S. Horne, who was waiting. It is assumed the whole matter will he placed before the national conference of minors delegates meeting in London to-mor-row, when the executive will put upon the delegates the responsibility of deciding future action. It is expected the conciliatory tone of week-end meetings will strengthen the hands of those working for peace in the coal crisis. It is known that a number of the leaders favour the Government’s final offer being submitted to a further ballot of the men.

Sixty thousand Rhondda miners protested against the national executive dropping the 14/2 demand, and instructed their delegates not to participate in conferences pending the South Wales meeting to decide the course to be adopted. Mid-Rhondda railwaymen rescinded a resolution pledging their support to the miners owing to the abandonment of the 14/2. Mr Bruce has written that it was impossible to go forward with the full dual demand in view of the great fair, of output for the June quarter. Mr Bruce asks the miners to give the executive fair play.

SHIPBUILDERS’ STRIKE

REPAIRS BEING EFFECTED IN GERMANY.

LONDON, Sept. 20

The sailors and firemen’s union at Liverpool are holding up the Elder Dempster steamer Monarch, which was 'reported to be going to Bremen to be repaired owing to the Liverpool shipwrights’ strike. Germans offered to Ho the work cheaper. Many vessels have been sent to Germany since .the strike commenced a month ago.

AN ABORTIVE CONFERENCE,

Received 9.50 a.m

LONDON, Sept. 21

Mr. Smillie has officially announced that nothing emerged during the Conference to justify the prevention of a strike.

a. PAINTERS SUPPORT DOCKERS. Received 11.45 a.m. SYDNEY, This Day. The painters at the Cockatoo Government dockyards refused to sign a 48 hours’ agreement. They were not permitted to start work, and were given till Tuesday to acquiesce, failing which they will be paid off.