LABOR UNREST

Taranaki Daily News, 22 March 1919, Page 5

LABOR UNREST

GOOD OFFER TO THE MINERS. GUARANTEED WAGES TO RAILWAYMEN. deceived March 21, 10.30 p.m. London, March 20. Mr Bonar Law 9tated in the House of Commons that of the Coal Commission's three reports the Government would adopt the spirit and letter of the one signed by Mr Snnkey and three of the commissioners, which recommended a two shillings advance daily and a seven horns day immediately, ar;l a six hours day later. Ho said the miners' leaders had never had such a chance, and there never would he such another. Any strike would ho against the community, and the Government would use all its resources to win. Mr Bonar Law also stated in the House of Commons that the Government's ofl'er to the raihvayiuen guarantees that the existing wages and bonuses will he maintained throughout 191!). Aus.-X.Z. Cahle Assn. Received March 21, 8.30 a.m. London, March 20. In the House of Commons Mr Bonar Law outlined three reports of the Coal Commission, firstly, the report signqd by the miners and labor representatives, which recommended granting the full demands of the miners, including nationalisation; secondly, the report signed by the coal owners' representatives,, wh'eh recommended an immediate increase of wages of Sd daily ancTa reduction of hqurs from 8 to 7; thirdly, the report signed 'by Mr Sankey and emplorers not directly concerned in the coal industry, which recommended an immediate advance in wages of 2s, namely, two-thirds of the men's full demands, and the reduction of hours to 7 from the middle of July, and subject to the ecnnonvc position of the industry at the end of 1920 to 6 hours three months I later.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable-Assn.

COAL CGIfMISSION?S PROPOSALS ACCEPTED. HOUSING PROBLEM ATTACKED. GOVERNMENT REACHES THE LIMIT. Received March 21, 11.5 p.m. London, March 20. Mr Sankcy points out that the Increased wages involved the distribution of an additional thirty millions sterling among the colliery workers, probably without raising prices to the consumer. Furthermore, that the present system of ownership and working stands condemned, and either nationalisation or a method of unification by national purchase, or hy joint control, must be substituted instead.

The report "recommends the miners, henceforth, having an effective voice in the direction of the mines, and condemns the housing in some districts as a reproach to our civilisation. It suggests the immediate collection of a penny per ton on all coal won, to be applied for housing improvements. This would yield a million sterling annually. The Government accepted Mr Sankey's report, including the undertaking to report upon nationalisatin by May 20th, and the proposal of the commission to continue to,sit and issue interim reports dealing with improvements. The Government agreed to immediately- carry out the proposals contained in Mr Sankev : s report Mr Bonar Law pointed out that this involved the continuance of coal control for two veaw. and that the estimated cost of the proposals was forty-three millions, of which thirty millions were obtainable by limiting the owners' profits to fourteen pence a ton, leaving the deficit of 13 million to he secured by various anticipated economies.

Mr Bonar Law emphasised that the Government had "one to the utmost limits, and would fight any strike, as Riteh a struggle could have onlv one ending, or there would he an end to Government in the country. THE BRITISH RAILWAYS.

INCREASE IN COST OP WORKING. Received March 21, 1125 p.m. London, March 2>l. The press bureau ksued a Board of Trade announcement that the average earnings of railwnymen in I*l3 was 28s 6d weekly. The additions siftco February 1015 totalled 33s weekly. The increased cost of operating railways duo to the war wages and eight hour day wa* 75 millions annually, plus 25 millions increase in the cost of material*. It is estimated that the cost of the new programme of the railwaymea's unions, including the perpetuation of war wages, will he at least a hundred millions annually, or two hundred centum over pre-war rates. The Government's offer, when negotiations were resumed yesterday afternoon, included the establishment of a joint committee representing railway executive nnd f.wo unions to deal with the ofltestions of the pay and conditions of the service as they arise- The Government's offer assures the raihvaym/m of a continuance of their pusent earnings during the current year, instead of their having to face u gradual reduction of war wage as the cost of living falls. The offer will necessitate an increase of railway rates, but it is hoped any further <;reat increase in pas-ontrer fares will he unnecessary'.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. Received March 22. 12.50 a.m. London, March 20.

The railwnymen adjourned without reaching a decision.—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc. Received March 21, 8.5:) p.m. London, March 20. ** The railway executive has made a new offer, which the railway men are considering to-night. Mr. Thomas promises the sitting will last all night. London, March 20. The Daily Express savs that Mr. Lloyd George informed Mr. Thomas, M.P., that the Government was introducing legislation to nationalise the railways without delay .—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Aasn. It is reported that the Government is willing to concede the railwaymen's war advances permanently.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Aisa, •