INDUSTRIAL UNREST

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 71, 14 September 1911, Page 5

INDUSTRIAL UNREST

BRITISH RAILWAYS COMMISSION. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright, London, September 12. Tbe non-unionists gave evidence before the Commission that the majority of the men were against the recognition of the unions. One witness favored a sectional board, confined to the particular grade having a grievance, with an outside chairman. The witness added that now unionists would have to consider the question of organisation. AGITATION FOR NATIONAL STRIKE London, September 12. The London and North-Western railwayraen are agitating for a national strike, unless the Board of Trade re-open Fry's award, which settled the labor conditions in all grades till 1913. The Midland Company's railwaymen at Burton-on-Trent ask for a national strike, unless the Board of Trade prevents the penalising of recent strikers. GENERAL STRIKE IN BILBAO. Madrid, September 12. The trade unions at Bilbao have declared a general strike. UNIONISTS' EVIDENCE. "Received 14, 1.25 p.m. London, September 13. A non-unionist signalman who was a witness before the Commission said the agitation leading to the 1907 conciliation was the artificial product of the leaders of the Railway Servants' Society. The majority of the signalmen did not desire an ultimatum demanding the recognition of the uiiion, as they obtained valuable concessions and considered it inopportune to make fresh and excessive demands, which had caused the recent trouble.

DISCONTENTED IRONWORKERS. Received 14, 1.25 a.m. Sydney, September 13. Ironmoulders threaten to refuse work, as the pig-iron is produced by nonunionists. The .bounty paid to Hoskins, of Lifchgow, to date, Is £54,794. PROTRACTED ARBITRATION PROCEEDINGS. Received 13, 0.25 p.m. Sydney, September 12. Evidence is concluded in connection with the claim of the Australian Workers' Union against the Pastoralists' Federal Council. The Federal Arbitration Court proceedings started in May. The hearing of the evidence occupied 53 days. Enormous quantities of documentary evidence was put in.

WAXGAXUt CARPENTERS' AWARD. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wanjranni, Wednesday. Mr. I'. llallv. Conciliation Commissioner, presided over meetings' of the Conciliation Council hold yesterday and to-day. The Council has now arrived at an agreement with regard to conditions, wages, etc.. of carpenters in the Wanganui district. A complete agreement was arrived upon on all points. Ordinary buildinjr carpenters, for 44 hours weekly, receive Is 4 1 / 2 d an houi> those engaged in factories, for 4(i hours weeklv, Is 4d an hour. The existing conditions are maintained on all other matters except that a preference clause is provided similar to that embodied in the recent Wellington carpenters' award. With a view to arriving at a Dominion award, similar cases are fixed for hearing at Palmerston North and Mnsterton. The agreement stands for two years unless a. Dominion agreement is arrived at, when the local agreement lapses. Assessors for tli« men express themselves highly pleased at the treatment thev received at the hands of the employers' representatives in the matter.