LABOR UNREST.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 March 1919, Page 4

LABOR UNREST.

POSITION RATHER WORSE EXTREMISTS STRIVING TO FORCE A CRISIS. Received March 18, 11.5 p.m. London, March 10. The Railwaymen's Union's executive conferred with the companies to-day, but adjourned till Wednesday. it is understood that the position in rather worse, but it is believed the chief companies are likely to make a further oli'er. The chief danger lies in the extremists' efforts to force a crisis this week, whereas an extension of time might produce an agreement.—Aua. and N'.Z. Cable Assoc. TRANSPORT BILL CONCESSIONS. London, March 10. It is expected that Sir Eric Geddes, in response to the insistent popular demand, will announce a series of concessions in the Transport Bill, including the modification of the Minister's powers. Mr. Lloyd George will probably return af the end of the week, in view of the fateful Labor decisions pending. LABOR MINISTER ON THE SITUATION. London, March 13. Mr. Home (Minister of Labor) was the guest of the Aldwych Club. In a speech he stated that the Labor troubles were not entirely the result of the war. The demands for shorter hours, profitsharing, and some control over the conditions of work could not be neglected any longer. The war had given the general community a clearer perception of the merits of these demands; no enlightened man wished to return to pre-war conditions. There must be a revaluation of human effort.

Employers were prepared to meet the men in a new spirit. Unfortunately industrial negotiations in the past had been conducted at arm's length, each side unwilling to trust the other. He hoped the new spirit would evolve a soheme whereby employers and workmen in each industry would sit at the same table and arrive at decisions in their common interest. A sub-committee of the Industrial Conference was drawing up a proposal for the creation of an Industrial Council. France possessed such a council, composed of 31 representatives of the employers, 31 workers, three senators, three professors of economics and law, three representatives of Chambers of Commerce, and the trade unions. Thin supreme labor council held a fortnight's session annually and discussed great industrial issues. There was also a subsidiary permanent commission composed of seventeen members who investigated all labor disputes as they arose and reported on the conditions and hours of labor in various industries,' of which Parliament was instructed. This mechanism was extremely valuable and efficacious. The supreme labor council initiated practically all the Labor legislation passed in France in recent years. He did not desire a precisely similar council, but the experience of France was useful in formulating a scheme for a British council. The Peace Council was considering a draft convention for the creation of an International Labor Conference, meeting annually, each country sending four delegates, of whom the Government would nominate two, the employers one and the workers one. The decisions of (bis Labor Conference would be referred to the respective Parliaments for enactment. The convention also provided for a permanent industrial and labor bureau to collect information from all countries and to report to the Labor Con ferencc.— Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc.

A CRITICAL WEEK. London, March 17. The present week will be a critic*! one in Labor matters. The Coal CommiSaion will submit a report on Thursday. The triple alliance will on Friday discuss a strike involving 1,900,000 railwayman, miners, and transporters. The mlc«ru' strike notices expire on Saturday. Air. Thomas and other leaders have been in communication with the Board ot Trade during the week-end. There has also been a series of conferences and branch meetings of railwaymen throughout the country The rank and file display better feeling and substantial progress has been made towards a settlement ot the transport workers' demands for a 44-hour week and 20 per cent, increase in piece-work rates, but the alliance has decided that there will be no settlement unless the full demands of the three groups are granted.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc.