WORK AND WAGES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 208, 1 March 1912, Page 4

WORK AND WAGES.

THREATS OF STRIKES. ; . '. FINDING- A SOLUTION. '' By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, Thursday. Speaking at the annual luncheon of members of the Chamber of Commerce" to-day, the chairman (Mr. Leo Myers) said that the constant threat of strikes and the consequent dislocation of busi- ■ ness in every part of the Dominion re-! quired the earnest attention of the, chamber. He had recommended the Government to appoint a Royal Commission'-' of representative men and the leaders of" Labor to. investigate the problem and endeavor to find a solution. If the Govern-"* ment acceded to the. request, and appointed men who would command the respect of their fellow citizens, the findings of the commission would carry enormous weight in the minds of the general! public. He suggested the adoption of & x system similar to that in existence fn']< Canada, which recognises public opinioai based upon sound knowledge as the final arbiter in all industrial disputes, whilst, as a final resort, the strike might be permitted. Strikers must not be allowed to involve the city in disorder, nor must intimidation of non-strikers ' be' countenanced for a moment. Where disorder f and intimidation were rampant, chaos must rule. He was confident'from his * association with the laboring classes that'- 11 the great bulk of them were as adverae* to the undesirable condition referred -to- 1 as any member of the chamber.

COAL MINERS' DEMANDS. :i OWNERS TO CONFER. ''M Wellington, Last Night. Coal mine owners will meet in Wellington to-morrow to consider the mands made by the employees, particularly on the West Coast, for .ff~ creased wages and better conditions than those under which they are now working. The employers will, of course, meet in private, but ultimately a conference may be held at which both sides will be represented and the demands gone into.'