LABOR TROUBLES.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 February 1919, Page 4

LABOR TROUBLES.

MINERS OFFERED AN INQUIRE A COMPLICATED POSITION- * QUESTION OF RESCINDING DATS OF STRIKE. Received Feb. 25, 12.25 a.m. London, Feb. 20 Mr. Lloyd George liab offered the miners a special inquiry respecting wages and hours, to report before March 81. The position is complicated, as, according to present arrangement*, the strike begins on March 15. Mr. Smillie announces that a fresh conference will be called to consider the advisability of rescinding or postponing this decision.—Aus. NX Cable Aiaoo^ Received Feb. 24, 10.30 p.m. London, Feb. 21 The British miners voted overwhelm* ingly in favor of a Btrike.*-Beuter. FRICTION OVER SEEKING EM. PLOYMENT.

London, Feb. 20. iTvction has arisen at the special committee between the advocates of Ameri. can and British labor plans. The Americans oppose the freedom of labor U seek employment in any country, on th< ground that the proposal conflicts witi the proposal to restrict the immigration of foreign labor to America.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assoc. FORM OF WHITLEY COUNCILS,

London, Feb. sl. The conference of Trades" Unionist! and Government officials will decide the form of the Whitley Councils for the Government. The Industrial Department has agreed that there should be arbitration in the event of the Department" failing to adopt the recommendation* of such industrial councils. Aua.-Jf.Z. Cable Asoc.

EXGLNEDRIYERS' DEMANDS. .

By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Feb. 24. The largest meeting of locomotive men ever held in Auoldand, after hearing the report of the delegate to the conference with the Minister of Railways, passed a resolution agreeing to 1 , wait till March to hear the. Minister's proposals, when the matter would have to be finally settled in accordance with the demands of the men who are ut» terly tired of the present procrastination. They wished to state emphatically that no proposition would receive any consideration that did not properly recompense for night work and provide for the abolition of the system of acting men and the restriction in the day's wages. The meeting al'so placed on record a protest agairnt the long hours workedv the men being repeatedly on duty fr<W IB to 20 hours without a break for meals. It is stated that in a secret .ballot of districts aggregating 350 men every member voted for direct action if necessary. Later. The men complain that the matter was first placed before the Minister in 1912, but he avoided dealing with it in 1913 on account of the strike, and from 1014 onwardß owing to the war. His latest plea was the state of tW| country's finances.

In this last connection the men say they will not consider the matter, for if the business has accumulated it la the fault of the Minister and not of the men. Their demands, they claim, are just, and, rather than tolerate the present position they would take any drastic action necessary. They point out, however, that if a strike should take place it would be- entirely different to an ordinary strike, in that 'they are utterly tired of renewing their demands, and would, in the event of not receiving satisfaction, seek employment elsewhere under more congenial circumstances, A. WAR BONUS GRIEVANCE Wellington, Last Nigft* A partial stoppage of the Qlkuru%i Coal Company's mines was reported today. It is understood that the trucker* are dissatisfied over the non-payment of the war bonus allegedly due for five months. Failing redress through the union, the truckers refused to work this morning, thereby throwing a number of miners idle. The reports do not- •»**- mate the trouble as serious.