LABOR UNREST.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 March 1919, Page 5

LABOR UNREST.

UPHEAVAL UNLIKELY. LABOR STILL DISSATISFIED.' ' , Received March 2(3, M.2Q p.m. London, March 2ft. Trade union circles believe that the latest negotiations make a national upheaval unlikely. Nevertheless it is feared the miners and railwaymen severely criticise their leader* because th« national programme has not been fully. achieved- It is expected that the conference on Thursday will ratify the terms proposed. The {south Wales miners' executive urged a resumption of work pending; a reference to the proposed terms of settlement to a national ballot. A conference of miners has been summoned at Cardiff on Sunday>-Ajw.-N.Z. Cable Asm. i CONFERENCE WITH MISERS Received March 26, 8.16 pw. London, March 35. Mr Bonar Law consulted Sir John Sonkey during the week end and conferred" with the minerß to-day. TRIPLE ALLIANCE CONFERMCB. OFFICIAL REPORT. GOVERNMENT REACHED LIMIT. London, March 23, The official report of yesterday's conference between the Triple Alliance, the Railways' Union, and the Government shows that Mr. Thomas replied affirmatively to Mr. Bonar Law's inquiry whether all three members of the nfllfl«M"» would strike in the event of even an unjustified strike by one member. Replying to Mr. Thomas, Mr. Bonar Law emphasised that the Government intended that extra pay should be given for real night work by railwaymen, In regard to the 100,000 railway shopmen, who mostly belonged to the engineers' societies, not the r&ilwaymen's unions, Mr. Bonar Law stated that the Government could not negotiate with Mr. Thomas on their concerns, unless the railway unions could come to an arraagement by which Mr. Thomas would represent all the shopmen. He also stated that the Government had undertaken that the wages qf railwaymen should not be reduced until the end of the year, when the question could be reopened. Mr. Bonar Law emphasised that the country's financial position was serious. The railways at present were costing the taxpayer over half the national expenditure before the war. The offer ■ the Government was now making was the utmost it could do. The Press Bnreau states that representatives of the Government, the railway executive committee, and the railway unions to-day reviewed the whole of the concessions offered by the Government and reached an agreement on the interpretation. If the railwaymen'* unions ratify the terms the negotiations on the remaining items on the programme will be continued immediately, the Government undertaking that every effort shall be made to secure a fair and speedy settlement. FRENCH RAILWAY STRIKE THREATENED. Paris, March 25. The French Railwaymen's Federation has threatened a general strike on May 1 unless the railways are nationalised and an 8-hour day enforced with a minimum salary of £2 weekly.—Aua.-N.Z. Cable Assn. SOUTH AFRICAN RAILWAYS. A PROPOSAL OUTLINED. Received March 2<J, 7.50 p.m, Capetown, March 25. In the Assembly, Mr Cresswell moved in favor of the of the railway board, to consist of an equal nunv ; her of Government nominees and railway servants. The Ministe* of Railways declined to acc»pt the motion on the ground that it meant giving 3fi,000 railway employees, equal representation with the whole of the rest of the community. The proposal mcaut ruin and disaster He announced that the Government was establishing a conciliation board to deal with hours, pay, and cognate matter.'. An amendment was moved in favor of an advisory council equally repre- ' scniative of the Government and the railwaymen. The debate was adjourned. . '