LABOR UNREST.
SITUATION CRAVE. 1 GOVERNMENT POLICY DEFENDED. Received Feb. 20, 2.50 p.m. London, Feb. If). The Lord Chancellor (Lord Birkenhead), in his maiden speech, said it was entirely wrong to suppose the Government was doing nothing. He agreed the situation was grave. The national debt was nearly eight thousand millions, while a formidable factor was the new demands made on the Treasury froni every side. Everyone was demanding new conditions of life. There was a universal desire to work less and receive more. The three great present menaces were the threats of the miners, and the railwaymen's and transport workers' strikes. The Government's policy in relation to these menaces had never varied. It had been a policy of inquiry and the fullest discussion with the most complete candour. The Government hoped to persuade these men that they would now be given the fullest fruit of their toil, and the Government would use every effort to afford them all the amenities for the enjoyment of life. A relatively small section of the community was tainted with the revolutionary doctrine of Bdlshevism. There would be no want of firmness on the part of the Government in dealing with this section. If the Government failed to deal with the menaces of those who attempted to destroy industries by strikes it would be necessary to employ some sterner instrument to ensure the safety of the people. Lord Birkenhead admitted the housing grievance, and described the report of the Scottish Housing Commission as "a horrible and tragic document." The conditions it described were a disgrace and a shame to a Christian country. It was the Government's intention to find a solution for this evil. The debate was adjourned.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. A STATESMANLIKE PROJECT. Received Feb. 20, 3,10 p.m. London, Feb. 19. It is generally agreed that the Government's decision to convene an industrial congress without delay is a statesmanlike project, but it is pointed out in some quarters that the step should have been taken several weeks ago instead of allowing matters to drift until the issue of a great national strike is raised, making a calm and deliberate consideration more difficult. The Daily News' Labor correspondent says there is reason to believe that Tuesday's meeting of transport workers will reject the hopes of the offer of arbitration in connection with the forty-four hours week. The transporters have been in communication with the miners and railwaymen. The menace of simultaneous action by this triple alliance is more definite. The principal services were restored in Belfast under military protection, after three weeks' idleness.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. GOODWILL TOWARDS LABOR. INCREASING THE OUTPUT. Received Feb. 20, 2.5 p.m. London, Feb. 19. In the House of Lords, Lord Buckmaster called attention to the industrial unrest, and said that all classes united in wishing that labor should enjoy the bigger share of national prosperity. Returns showed that 450 millions of excess profits made during war time had come up for critical investigation as to whether they were legitimately acquired, and whether they could be controlled and used for a big scheme of national development. The war had led people to think there was an unfathomable reservoir of public wealth. The Government had yielded to threats, which was wrong. Our present financial position of indebtedness was associated with the Labor troubles. The only way to pay the debt charges was to multiply the output of the factories, yet there was growing evidence of industrial stagnation. but the way of combating Bolshevism was to prove it was economically a failure. Lord Grey said some of the present Labor demands urged recognition of the unions as part of the industrial machinery of the country. They should statutorily be incorporated and be capable of suing and being sued, and be able to compel everyone in any trade to be a member of a union.—Reuter. BELFAST STRIKE ENDED. Received Feb. 21, 12.35 a.m. London, Feb. 19. The Belfast general strike has ended. —Reuter Service. A CONFERENCE WITH RAILWAYMEN, London, Feb. 18. The Press Bureau states that tihe Board of Trade has arranged a conference between the executive of the National Unions of Railwaymen and the Underground Raihvay Companies. The arrangement resulted from the meeting. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. AUSTRALIAN DISPUTE SETTLED. Received Feb. 20, 8 p.m. Sydney, Feb. 20. The dispute between the Federated Seamen's and Firemen's Union and the Australian Steamship Owners' Association over imposed conditions on account of influenza lias been ended. The men decided to resume and refer their claims to the Arbitration Court.—Reuter.
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Taranaki Daily News, 21 February 1919, Page 5
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754LABOR UNREST. Taranaki Daily News, 21 February 1919, Page 5
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