LABOR IN AUSTRALIA.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 278, 16 April 1913, Page 5

LABOR IN AUSTRALIA.

THE RAILWAY AWARD.' CONCESSIONS TO THE MEN. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Sydney, April 15. The award of the Board in respect , tc the claims filed by tfte Railway Traf- ' fit, Association has been issued. The hours are fixed at 96 per fortnight, and the rates of pay adjusted, considerably improving the position of the men. No preference is given to any class of unionr ists, but disputes are to be reierrcs to the chairman of the Board. The award has a duration of tjiree; years. THE COAL STRIKES. THREE MINES AT WORK. Sydney, April 15. The only mines now working at Broken Hill are the Proprietary, Junction North, and the Zinc Corporation. Owing to the shrinkage of trade employees in many leading businesses have been placed on half-time. GOVERNMENT ACTION DEMANDED. Sydney, April 15. A resolution carried at the Broken Bill meeting declared that if the Government failed to put the wheels in action within 24, hours the unions would take the law into their own hands and see that foodstuffs were brought into town for'the starving women and children. Volunteers were called for men to man the engines, and nine were forthcoming. •Ministers are reticent, regarding yesterday's interview with the proprietors, but, while admitting the position was sc-rious, declare that there is more than 24 hours' food supply at the railway station, only the people cannot get it. While the men are willing to submit to arbitration, the tramway company insists that the resumption of work must precede the appeal. The South Australian Government has refused the request of the New South Wales Government to lend a train to run to Broken Hill to take supplies, should the food question become acute. Sputh Australia has. sent seventy police to Cockburn to protect railway property. THE FERRY STRIKE. NEW AWARD GRANTED. Sydney, April 15. The award, which is the outcome of the recent ferry strike, has been issued. . Besides conceding the shorter hours and Improved rates contended for it gives preference to unionists, and states that no boys under eighteen years are to be employed as deck hands. 1 SYNDICALISM IN AUSTRALIA. Melbourne, April 15. Mr. W. H. Irvine, in a speech at the opening of the electoral campaign, said tin- Broken Hill strike was interesting a- the definite note in Australia of Syndicalism. It was a clear, definite pronouncement by those guiding the strikers th£t unionism ' would : control not only theV Government and property, but everyt&ijjg. The outcome was likely to k thedifaruption of reasonable and legitimate unionism, and the creation of a condition of revolutionary thought in that sober community, the end of which no man could see. JJNEASY STRIKERS. Sydney, April 15. , The South Coast miners are apparently not unanimous. Numbers consider the trouble unsettled, owing to nothing definite being heard from the proprietors, despite the fact .that Mr. Carmichael stated that two representatives of the proprietors waited on him and agreed to the Government's proposals. It is reported that the men are uneasy still regarding victimisation, and resumption is improbable in any case this week. A mass meeting of miners will be held on Thursday. THE SYDNEY STRIKE. REFERRED TO AN INDUSTRIAL . BOARD. Received lfi. 1.5 a.m. Sydney, April 15. The Cabinet is of opinion that the Broken Hill dispute can be referred to an industrial board, whose decision can bu legally enforced. Such board lias now been constituted. The Premier telegraphed to the strikers, informing them that the dispute can be settled by a board in the absence of their party, and urging them to be present at the case. Headquarters are preparing to despatch a large contingent of police to Srokcn Hill if necessary.