LABOR TROUBLES.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 March 1919, Page 5

LABOR TROUBLES.

A PAPAL ENCYCLICAL SYMPATHY WITH UNIONS. Received March C, 8.5 pm. Romp, Marcli 4. The Pope, addressing the Catholic Labor Association by an encyclical, state* that through all changes in the world, association to-day preserves all its pristine vigor. The Holy See's solicitude for the welfare of tho workers is undiminished, and that welfare merits tho attention of all desiring to promote the general good. The encyclical adds that the Pope's heart is with those who organise unions and form part of their membership.—Times Service.

SUBJECTS FOR INVESTIGATION BY CONFERENCE. London, March 4. The Press Bureau announces that a provisional joint committee of the Na< Lional Industrial Conference appointed throe sub-committees. (1) To mako retommon&ati&ns concerning methods of negotiation between employers and trade unions, including tho establishment of a permanent industrial council to advise the Government on industrial and economic questions, also methods of dealing with war advances and methods of regulating wages by law and otherwise. (2) To Wafce recommendations with inference to tho desirability of legislation for the maximum working hours and iftaxiftttfm ( ? minimum) wages. ' (3) To consider unemployment and make recommendations for its preven* tion and the maintenance of the unemployed during the present emergency period and on a permanent basis.—Aus and N.Z. Cablee Assoc.

COAL PRICES AND PROFITS. London, March 5. In connection with the increased coal profit of 2s 6d per ton Mr. Dickinson 'explainer! that 80 per cent, of the exws? profits went to the inland Tevemie, lfl per cent, to the €oai Controller, and only 5 per cent to the coal owners, so that the 23 million sterling which the consumers paid did not benefit profitWaiting coal owners, 95 per cent, going to tho State.

Mr. Sydney Webb pointed out that the necessity of helping non-paying collieries was due to private ownership. Air. Dickinson added that if the increase had not been given a largo nnmhsr of collieries wtfnld have closed down. The wages hill of the mines was now 170 million, compared with 91 milmion in 1913. The profits in 1013 wers IS millions, and by 1018 39 millions. Thus the profits had multiplied by th'reo, despite the increased wages. Thirty per cent- increase in wages and a sixhaftrs day would mean an increase in price of 6s 7d per ton. —Aus. and N.Z CaWe Assoc. STRIKE AT PRETORIA. Received March 0, 7.30 p.m. Capetown, 'March 5, As the result of the Town Council of Pretoria refusing to withdraw the dismissal notices given to certain tramway employees who struck, the engineers joined the tramway strikers and cut off tho light and power supplies, except those for the hospital, asylum and water works.—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc. NEW YORK HARBOR TIED UP. Received March 7, 1 a.m. New York, March 4. The harbor is Completely tied up by the strike of marine workers Ifi.OOO, who demand an eight-hour day and an increase Of thirty per cent, in wages.—Reuter.