INDUSTRIAL UNREST.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 282, 25 May 1912, Page 5

INDUSTRIAL UNREST.

TRANSPORT WORKERS' STRIKE. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. London, May 23. The transport workers have ordered a general strike. THE STRIKE SPREADING. Received 25, 12.5 a.m. London, May 24. The transport workers' executive announce that the strike is in consequence of the boycotting of unionists by employers deliberately breaking agreements, and a generally vexatious interference with workmen. Mr. Gosling states that 150,000 men are affected. The objects of the strike are the recognition of the Federation ticket, and a uniform rate of pay equal to the highest wage now paid. He added that it was going to be a fight to a finish, and would not be over in a week or two. Mr. Ben Tillett states that, if necessary, the fight will not be confined to London. ; Other leaders claim a maximum working day of seven to five o'clock, and a minimum wage of 7s 6d. The Port of London authorities have informed the men that they are unable to employ only unionists. One hundred and fifty ships, aggregating a million tons, are held up, including the Waiwera, with 8000 carcases of meat still aboard. Three hundred Covent Garden porters are striking for a porters' schedule of wages. SPLITTING STRAWS. London, May 23. The Mill Wall watchman belonged to the foremen's union, but did not come under tho same legal category as the lightermen, and the latter insisted on his joining their union. He refused, and this led to the strike.

The lightermen admit that the case of the watchman was a pretext, but affirm that the masters violated several points in the existing agreements that the whole question of pay and hours would be revised, including a minimum wage of 7s 6d a day. THE COAL STRIKE. London, May 23. Sir Walter Lawrence has awarded the South Stafford and East Worcester underground workers 4s, and boys Is lOd to 3s. The coalowners state that Sir Edward Clarke's award is too high for many South Yorkshire collieries, and will tend to the discharge of old men, who are at present gladly earning 25s weekly. Numbers of old pits must close, but the new ones -will be little affected. The men are disappointed, as they asked for Bs, hoping to get 7s 6d, but got only 6s 9d. THE DOCK STRIKE. Received 24, 11 p.m. London, May 24. It is feared that the strike will result in serious damage to the Australian fruit shipment by the steamer Maloja, which has been placed in the dry dock. Five hundred cases of apples are aboard. Only 7000 cases of the Demosthenes' butter have been discharged. The wharf laborers locked out refused to discharge apples which were carted by non-union-ists, whereupon clerks and salesmen unloaded them, mounted police patrolling Tooley streot. THE ONE-DAY STRIKE. Sydney, May 24. The Labor Council passed a resolution repudiating the proposed x one-day strike, as calculated to prejudice the cause, of the imprisoned men and bring the whole of the industrial movement into contempt. It regrets that affiliated unions participated in the agitation before consulting the council. TAKING PRECAUTIONS. Sydney, May 24. Mr. Griffith, Minister for Works, has decided, after the finding of the late Royal Commission, to have no dealings with Mr. Hoskins, but to allow the Government contractors to use the firm's iron and steel, after the most stringent tests. BUTCHERS' HOURS. Sydney, May 24. Butchers' shop assistants have decided not to work later than 6 o'clock on Saturday evenings after June 1.