LABOR UNREST.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 February 1919, Page 5

LABOR UNREST.

I , & GRAVE SITUATION..^ • 6TRIK.ES GROWING. ■ ) PUBLIC'S INCREASING RESENTMENT. London, Feb. 4.' Tho grave industrial situation was the principal matter of discussion at yesterday's Cabinet meeting. It la understood that the Government will continue to refuse to intervene in unauthorised strikes, because it would be subversive of the authority of the elected leaders of organised Labor and play into the hands of the mischievous section which is making an effort to effect a social revolution. The subject wiU unquestionably figure largely in Parliament, which opens to-day. 3n view of recent developments a movement is on foot, backed in responsible quarters, to convene a representative trade union conference for tho purpose of dealing with tho industrial troubles on national lines. It is therefore suggested that the Parliamentary Committee of the Trade Union Congress should invite all representatives of organised Labor to discuss the current disputes and initiate national action for their settlement. ELECTRICAL WORKERS' i ULTIMATUM. The outlook became considerably worse late on Monday night, owing to the electrical trade unions demanding Government intervention at the Clyde, Belfast and elsewhere. The decision was reached after three hours' private discussion and no figures as to tne voting transpired. The resolution demands intervention with the view of the introduction of legislation making a national 40 hours' week operative, with the object of absorbing all the unemployment in the country. In the event of the Government refusing a strike begins at 0 n'cloc'-- on Thursday night. The Electrical Union will present its resolution to the Minister of Labor today and report the result at a further meeting on Wednesday. The decision involves 10.000 men wjio claim to control everv power station in the metronolis. The resolution is almost identical in language with one carried bv f!8 votes to 2!) by a conference of the trades unions in the London district threatening a strike in all 'the engineering trades in the district unless the Government legislated for a 40-hour week. A (1 elf "ate from the Clyde attended the meeting and received an enthusiastic? reception. A QUESTION OF MEAL HOURS. In connection with the tube motormen's complaint that they are not allowed timo for meals during the eight hours' day, Sir Albert Stanley has issued a statement that the arrangements, to which the unions agreed, pro vided that where time was allotted for meals it should be exclusive of the eight hours. STRIKE OF LONDON' WAITERS. Five thousand waiterj of London hotels are striking. Only the head and second waiters are working in the great hotels, incluring the Savoy and the Carlton. Even kitchen hands have struck, and reduced menus are scrv'ed with difficulty. MINERS AND THE INCOME TAX. The Derbyshire miners' executive is advising the men to refuse to pay moro war taxes on the ground that responsible Ministers during the elections promised that war indemnities would be recovered and Germany made to pay our costs. Therefore the executive calls on the Government to cancel the war taxation, revert to the pre-war income tax and remove war taxes on food. In reference to the tubes strike it has been agreed that the executive shall meet Sir Albert Stanley to-day. Meanwhile tlier are delaying the extension of the strike. STRIKE OF WELSH MINERS Several other stoppages are reported, notably that of 8000 Carmarthenshire miners, which has rendered 21 anthracite pits idle. Tho trouble arose over the efforts of the management to put down absenteeism. Hundreds absent themselves on the excuse that they wish to attend funerals. Six hundred were | summoned and fined on Saturday, and this precipitated a strike. The strikers are making an effort to bring out the whole anthracite coal fields. Seven thousand London hotel workers decided on an immediate strike, demanding an eight hours day and the abolition of the system whereby tips aro pooled. A large number of London boilermakers, fitters and others resumed work in defiance of the strike committee's instructions. AN "'UNSELFISH" VIEW'. The secretary of the Electrical Union declared that the electrical engineering workers are taking an unselfish view oJ the serious national situation. The proposed strike on Thursday is intended to remedy unemployment by securing legislation limiting the week's york to 40 hours. Half a million men and women are already unemployed in Britain owing to the stoppage of war work, yet there is practically no unemployment among the electrical workers. Mr Bromley, secretary of the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen, says the Society's executive supports the men and intends calling out the steam train drivers on lines having an electric section in the first instance, but it the men lie not receivo more honorable treatment within a few hours there will he a national railway stoppage, Electrical workers in South Wales havfc struck for a 47-hour week. Colleries and other big undertakings are seriously involved. The employers pointed out that the withdrawal - of the men from the colleries would result in flooding and serious damage. The strikers meantimo agreed that the men should remain in the mines. PUBLICS GROWING RESENTMENT. I The newspapers unaniously echo thu 1 growing resentment of the public at the constantly recurring dislocations over trifling disputes, and endorse Sir Albert Stanley's statement that thsro is no justification for declaring strikes intended to bully the public into forcing the Government to euxrendfl)." unconditionally. There wag a further development later last night. The Sooiety of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen decided to stop the district railway, which is the principal underground lfne linking up the city, the west and southwest with the suburbs The drivers ceased work this morning. The strikers' officials adopt a threatening attitude and state the iKkjSjMrtll ibs

train services in London and cl&swivgtcj 1 unless a settlement is "Cable Assoc. , ' J , ATTITUDE OF THE CABINET. 1 The Press Bureau states that the 3fiai| 1 fefay of Labor received two J passed at unofficial conferences of tlui i London Engineering and Electrical Un- J ions demanding that the Government i should intervene in the Clyde, Belfast audi J London disputes with a view to intro- j duciiig legislation to secure a national J 40-hour week, and the executive of the J union employers fixing a 47-hour Week, 1 and the executive, of the union concurs I in Government's view that the circum- 1 stances do not justify Government inter* a vention. . . { i The Amalgamated Society of Engineers J has issued a spirited protest against un- | authorised strikes, and urged unionist* 1 to ignore tho invitation to strko on j Thursday. tj Yarrow and Company have decidofl J gradually to diminish the output of their -p shipbuilding yards on the Clyde, smut' 1 taneously increasing the output at iimi- | lar works at Vancouver. This ij partial- J ly owing to constant tabor disturbances, f OFFICIAL UNIONST VIEW . i The extension of the strike to ti)3 t District Railway power station the power of the tramway services ofer | a wide area from Tooting along the | Thames Valley to Hampton Court. J The railway executive is taking a firm y attitude towards the strikers. It ia I believed the executive has succeeded in s convincing the war Cabinet that it *l should not give way, thus no negotia- ' tions aro proceeding. The Cabinet 3 acrain discussed the situation, and a sig- <4 niflcont. fact is that a number of sold- | iers who are on leave pending demobili- • sation have been recalled by wire. This * suggests that the Government intends < to guard the power stations and probafc* 1 ly to introduce military or Tohmtaryi < staffs. * ' The officials of the Electrical Trade* Union, accompanied by the landa I • Committee of the engineering and aUle \ jj unions, attended the Ministry of Labo and presented an ultimatum. i FIRM AND UNHESITATING j HANDLING. < REQUIRED TO DEAL WITH STBIKERS. !; Received C, 9.35 p.m. 1 London, Feb. 5. The announcement that the Cabinet contemplates immediate steps to end the intolerable situation is welcomed on all t si'les. Newspapers of .every ahade of opinion recognise that firm and unhesitating handling is essential. There is no doubt the public would prefer to submit I to further inconvenience than to obtain i relief by making concessions to a carnal meeting of workmen who presented a loaded revolver at the Government's : head. . i The Daily News, which ordinarily ss- i pouses labor's claims, says any other course would bo fatal. Society would be ' at an end and nothing would survive but anarchy and violence-Aus.-N-Z. Cable Assoc. * , ! Received 0, 9.35 p.m. London, Feb. 5, Mr Bonar Law, after a long cvoversation with Mr Lrovd George on the >■ telephone, feubsequenf.lv presided over ' ft Cabinet meeting, which, it is undar- ■ stood, decided to rccosnife the Railwav Clerks' Association. Cabinet considered proposals which it is' hoped will settle < the tube difficulty. Newspapers point out that InteVvcition in the railways is inevitable owing to their being controlled by the Slate.— Aus-N.Z. Cable Assoc A GRAVE SITUATION. II ~ . 1 Received G, 8.15 p.m. London, Feb. 4. Mr Clynes considers that the industrial situation is so grave that it justifies a special session of the General Fed- ' eration of Trades' Unions, representing five million workers, to carefully consider the National Labor policy which the Government and employers must heed, provided the rank and file of workers will guarantee loyalty.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assoc. Received Feb. 6, 11.20 p.m. London, Feb. 6, Authorities take the gravest view of strike deadlock. There is no immediate prospect of improvement, and even fear 'if extension, possibly involving the great trunk railways, but the Government is prepared to take the most drastic action to defeat the menace.—Aus. and NX Cable Assoc. COALWORKEBS STRIKING. London, Feb. 4. The London coal workers and leaden are striking for a 48-hour week and £5 weekly. i -—■ The Labor members of the Glasgow '■ City Council are demanding an inquiry into Friday strikes scenes, and the immediate withdrawal of troops from Qlaigow. Cable Assoc. RAILWAYS PARALYSED. DRIVERS AND OTHERS STRIKE, Received Feb. 0, 11.40 p.m. London, Feb. 6. Tho paralysis of the steam railway* began at midnight. A number of drivers and others on ihe ■ London and South Western and T-nrMnp Brighton lines have already struck Tho London and South Western officials have issued a notice that the tier- i vice at night will bo reduced or entirely suspended to-day.-Aus. Cable Assoc. i Four thousand Army Service Corps '•] mechanics have struck at Kempton Park, 4 declaring that civilians should , now do -i repairs, It is reported that the Government MyS, prepared to find engine crews to carr* fir the railway service if necessary. '»* ACTION BY EXECUTIVE. "J Received 6, 11.40 p.m. JJ " London, Feb, 6. . j J lie executive of the Associated So* 'f\ ciety of Engineers has decided to bus- '■? pond the committees and secretaries. 1 for unauthorised strikes in London and. 1 Belfast and on the Clyde • $3 _ negotiating committee of the in- 1 gineering and shipbuilding trades upioM ." J met in the House of Commons. Tbsy ■ Jjl considered the stoppages are contrary. '-I to the opinion of the majority of ,-j trade unionists as expressed in the «!•'>s cent ballot on the 47-* hour week. Th* ;f| committee revived to urge (ho shipmribuiiS workmen at Belfast and Clyde ana WK! 3 tno north'cast coast to resume iBMB*' 'tj diately, and thus enable the comini|tta} -ia to meet employers with a view to tlement. J , ;^?f| .. Th ® « ol umittee strongly the strikes threatening the London nr«4,. ksj where stoppage will not serve anyjtse^yi fill purpose and Is calculated to trades unionism and react" to'the worlfr-r jf era detriment, besides Imposing unw#*T©2t ranted hardships on loval unionist^*r>spi -AUfc|^..aaUi^j£