LABOR UNREST

Taranaki Daily News, 14 February 1919, Page 5

LABOR UNREST

i THE MINERS' DEMANDS. . GOVERNIMENT SYMPATHETIC. London, Feb. 11. The Government reply to the miners' demands has been issued- With regard to lite demand ior a six-hour day, it states that while tile Government sympathises with the desire 01 tlie workers ior an improved standard of life it muse consider the increases of the cost of production in trades whose product tonus the staple of other occupations, mid think, also of the consequences to the general trade situation. The Government therefore proposes a strong and representative committee on which the miner will be represented to inquire into this matter and also the following matters: The cost of the production and distribution of coal sell-t ing prices and profits, the question whether coalmining should be continued on the present basis or under joint control, or be nationalised. As regards the demand for increased wages the Government is willing to add to the present war bonus a shilling per day, which is equal to the rise in prices since January last year, and to refer the other demands in connection with wages to the aforementioned committee. TrS Government asks the miners to ! regard the reply as a clear indication j of its intentions to meet them in every possible way. \n connection with the demands regarding demobilised miners the Government states that these must >bviou?ly be considered in relation to the general' question of demobilisation. The Government's considered view is that it is impo«iHe to give the demobilised miners different terms from those granted other demobilised workers.—Aus.-N.Z Cable Assoc. The London dockyard strikers arc resuming work. THE MINERS* FEDERATION. REJECT GOVERNMENTS OFFERReceived 13, 7.5 pm. London, Feb. 12. The Miners' Federation at Southport rejected the Government's offer and declared the offer was no reply to their demands, and instructed the executive to formulate proposals for passing the demands. Negotiations hetween the railway executive and Railwavmen's Union respecting all grades have begun and are likely to'last weeks. The proposals involve an extra cost of -fifty millions.—United Service. STRIKERS 5 BALLOT POSTPONED. PUBLIC SERVICES AGAIN SUSPENDED. Received 14, 12.55 am. Belfast, Feb. 12. The proposed strikers' ballot has been postponed. The gas, electric and tramways services have again been suspend-ed-—Reuter. ...... SYNDICALIST MOVEMENT- ' New York, Feb. 11. In an interview, John Jones, of the British Steel Smelters' Union, said that two of the main objectives underlying the present British industrial unrest were the absorption of the unemployed through the reduction of working hours and the raising of the purchasing power of the masses- Many of the British workers had lost confidence in politicians and demanded direct action. There was a powerful syndicalist movement.—Aus.N.Z. Cable AssocWORKERS COMBINING. London, Feu. 11. The Daily Chronicle says that the industrial situation arising from the demands of the miners, Taihvayinen and transport workers, which is being considered this week has taken a serious turn owing to the conference of the three unions to-night with a view to securing united action as to hours and wace9 and the nationalisation of mines and railways The movement represents a million and a half workers.—Aus-N.Z. Cable AssocWHEAT LUMPERS' STRIKE. '■*- " . Sydney, Feb. 13. The wheat lumpers at Darling Island declared the strike off unconditionally and resumed work for a few hours, and then ceased againTHE "GO-SLOW" POLICY. Sydney. Feb. 12. The Government has suspended shipbuilding at Cockatoo Island owing to the men's "go slow" policy. BELFAST STRIKERS TO RESUME. London, Feb., 11. ■ The Belfast strike is provisionally settled, the men agreeing to resume on the basis of a forty-four hours week pending a conference whereat the employers undertake to recommend less than forty-seven hours per week.— Reuter.