Labor Troubles

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 210, 5 March 1914, Page 5

Labor Troubles

RURAL WORKERS' STRIKE. WATERSIDERS' DISPUTE. By Cable—Press Association — Sydney. March -1. In connection with tlin rural workers' strike, a body of unionists raided a farm at Wagga and compelled a number of .non-unionists to leave work ami marched them to town. A strong force of farmers enrolled, visited the unionists' camp, delivered the captives, and escorted them back to work. Melbourne. March 4.

Under a protest from steamship owners against resinning the hearing of the waterside workers' case while the stevedores refused to toe the line by working overtime, Mr. Justice Higgins further adjourned the dispute till Tucscday. TIMBER WORKERS. RECIPKOCAU AGREEMENT. Wellington. Last Night. The secretary of the Southland Timber Workers' Union returned to-day from Sydney. He explained that his visit bad been undertaken to bring about a better understanding between the Xew Zealand and Australian workers. This had been accomplished, and a reciprocal agreement would be entered into enabling workers from New Zealand to Australia, or vice versa, to obtain full information regarding employment available, and as to local conditions. There were about 500(1 organised timber workers in Xew South,

Wales, 3500 in Victoria, and 1000 in Tasmania. The industry appeared prosperous at present in Australia, wilh plenty of employment offering. ■

HOTEL WORKERS' DEMANDS. Wellington, Yesterday. In the hotel workers' dispute before, the Arbitration Court the evidence of workers was given regarding the long hours worked and the successful operation of the six-days' week in Sydney. Mr. Bcveridgc, for the hotel-keepers, gave evidence that to award a six-days' week would penalise Wellington hotels against every other port in New Zea-

land. Such a concession would cost the Grand Hotel alone an additional sum of .£717 per annum to run. He handed in the balance-sheet of the hotel on con-

dition it was regarded as confidential. The secretary for the union objected to the procedure and contended that the union had no opportunity of controverting it, and further that the question of profit or loss in the industry should not be considered in fixing wages. The president ruled that he would not receive the balance-sheets, but the employers were entitled to show what the granting of the demands would mean. The ca9e is proceeding. Welington, Last Night.

The hearing of the hotel-workers' dispute was completed to-day by the Arbitration Court. The employers asked for an award practically the same as that of 1910, which has been observed since its expiry, but the employees counter-claims included several amendments, the chief of which were a sixday week of 56 hours for men, and 52 for women Decision was reserved.

The plumbers' dispute and an application for a Dominion award was next taken, but was unfinished when the Court rose. The Wairarapa butchers' dispute was allowed to stand over for a wcelc. WATERSIDE WORKERS' APPEAL. Auckland, Yesterday. The Conciliation Council considered an application by the newly-formed Coal and Cargo Workers' Union, principally representing ex-strikers, for an agreement and all-round increase on the wages under the pre-strikc agreement. A further application was made to join the Auckland Waterside Workers' (Arbitration) Union as parties to the agreement. The employers cited declined to discuss the matter. The case will go to the Arbitration Court direct. In the course of the proceedings, replying to the employers, Mr. Way, on behalf of the union, stated that ever since the strike between (UK) and 700 practical waterside workers had been absolutely refused employment on the wharves, owing to the fact that the Arbitration Union had declined to admit them to membership, notwithstanding sworn affidavits. The applicants believed in the principle of arbitration. The commissioner agreed to the Arbitration Union being joined in the dispute. The president of the Arbitration challenged several of the statements made by Mr. Way.

THE PLUMBERS' AWARD. Wellington, Yesterday. The annual conference of the New Zealand Federated Plumbers and Gasfitters' Association of Workers was attended by delegates from Auckland, Wellington Taranaki, Christchurch, Timaru, Dunedin, and Invercargill. Regarding the proposed Dominion award! referred yesterday to the Arbitration Court with a request by the association that a conference of the parties be ordered to negotiate on the basis of the Auckland award, the judge had stated that he had no power to compel a conference, but would Buggest that one bo held. Acting on the suggestion, the parties conferred yesterday, but nothing definite was decided, and the whole matter was again referred to the court.