LABOR UNREST.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 August 1919, Page 5

LABOR UNREST.

THE YORKSHIRE DISPUTE. A SiSADLOCK REACHES, SITUATION VERY SERIOUS. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Eecoive'd August 3, 5.5 pm. London, July 31. At the Coal Conference, Mr Herbert Smith declined to recognise the Miners' Federation's right to negotiate with the Government on behalf of the Yorkshire men. He invited the mine owners to negotiate independently of the Government formula. The owners replied that this wns impossible, aB they were bound by the Coal Controller's decision. Mr. Smith's alternative proposal was equivalent to the elimination of piecework, as the wages were the same whatever the output.

The deadlock in connection with the Yorkshire dispute has dismayed the public, who were led to believe that the parties had only to coino together to arrive at a speedy settlement on the lines of the Government agreement.

The Miners' Federation has now found that when tho Government's formula is applied to Yorkshire it represents an advance of 11.8, whereas the Yorkshire miners are determined to secure the maximum percentage of 14s 2d. The miners' alternative is that each miner should bo recouped any IO3S on this advance of wages of from five to twentyfive per cent. Apart from Yorkshire, a serious situation has arisen at all the mines owing j to the surfacemen demanding av increase ! under threat of an immediate strike. Meanwhile the woollen manufacturers are exhausting their last reserves of coal. Fifty thousand employees are already out of work in Yorkshire, apart from the miners.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. Received August 3, 55 p.m. London, July 31. It is estimated that the difference be-tween-11.8 and 14s 2d means 100s annually per man, or a million pounds a year for the Yorkshire coalfields. Thern aro 30,000 unemployed at Bradford. Some of the firms are keeping their works going with coal costing 455, which before the war cost 10s, including carting.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. CABINET CONSIDERS DEADLOCK. Received Aug. 3, 5.5 p.m. London, July 31. The War Cabinet considered the miners' deadlock. Mr. Home later received a miners' deputation. Developments revive the hope of a settlement— Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. AMERICAN SEAMEN'S STRIKE. New York, July 2fi. After a strike lasting three' weeks the seamen have agreed to a settlement by which they get an eight-hour day, increased pay. and the three watch system while at sea. The ship-owners have refused to recognise the Seamen's Union.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.