INDUSTRIAL TURMOIL.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 December 1916, Page 6

INDUSTRIAL TURMOIL.

MORE TROUBLE LOOMING. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Wellington, Dec, 1. The action of the Blackball miners in notifying that they intend to go "ii strike in support of a demand for a referendum on the conscription issue can scarcely be described as a surprise, since rumors of some such intention have been circulated freely for many days past. But the news is startling, nevertheless, and its significance is being discussed in serious tones in. many quarters thi«

evening. The representatives of tin. miners in Wellington state definitely that tha Blackball miners are acting without the consent of the Federation and are not entitled to claim that the other' miners will follow thiir lead. But one gathers that the Federation leaders are uncertain regarding the outlook. They claim that they do not want a strike and do not intend to authorise one, but they do not pretend to be in full control of the situation. Conversation with some of them gave your correspondent an impression that they are not desirous of a strike on the conscription issue and will promote peace if they can. They may be assisted materially in this respect by the reported settlement of the Australian coal strike.

The drivers' dispute may be regarded as settled. The matter is in the hands of tin- Cabinet and the remaining details ought to be. easy of adjustment. If a miners' strike can be averted that will be another point to the good. But there is no disguising the fact that several important groups of workers are in an uncertain mood at the present time and that there is need for tactful and skilful handling of industrial matters. Tlu seamen and the wharf laborers are about to negotiate new agreements, and it is generally understood that they arc going to demand important increases.