THE STRIKES IN BRITAIN

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 58, 30 August 1911, Page 5

THE STRIKES IN BRITAIN

THE RAILWAY COMMISSION. By Cable —Press Association—Copyright. London, August 28. Giving evidence before the Railway Commission, Mr. Williams, secretary of the Amalgamated Railway Servants, advocated a National Board, consisting of employers and railwaymen, as a court of appeal, and the appointment of an arbitrator in the event of its disagreeing. A SPIRIT. London, August 28. The Trades Council's sports at Dublin have been abandoned; because, in opposition to the committee's decision, the mob insisted on a clerk, who did railway duty, and a porter, who had not struck, being allowed to compete. MILITARY WITHDRAWN. Received 29, 11.5 p.m. London, August 29. The military have been withdrawn from Liverpool, and work is normal. THE KERNEL OF THE SITUATION. Received 29, 11.5 p.m. London, August 29. Mr. Williams complained that the lack of uniformity of procedure in conciliation, boards and the delay in establishing the machinery of various arbitrations had cost the Railwaymen's Society £30,000. The hitch in the scheme lay in the companies claiming the sole right to interpret awards, and declaring that the men had nothing to do with it. That was one cause of the strike. Another was the limitation of present machinery to hours and wages, which were only a small portion of the grievances which had brought about the strike. There had been a great delay in reaching the awards, in some instances fifteen to eighteen months elapsing between initiation and settlement. He suggested a board for each company, instead of sectional boards, which were costly, to prepare evidence. The failure of the settlement of disputes was largely due to' want of freedom in urging the men's claims, where the secretary was in the employ of a company. A national board was required, equally representing the companies and the men. with an independent chairman, to settle disputes when individual boards fail. Recognition of the unions was the kernel of the situation. "WHILE THE IRON IS HOT." Received 30, 1 a.m. London, August 29. A section of the South Wales miners has issued a manifesto urging that the present is an opportune time to make a bold stroke for a minimum wage.