LABOR UNREST.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 September 1919, Page 5

LABOR UNREST.

EAILWAYMEN'S ULTIMATUM. THE GOVERNMENT'S REPLY. WHAT INCREASE WOULD ENTAIL. By Telesranli.—r.'ess Assn.—Copyright. Received Sept. 25, 7.30 p.m. i London, Sept. 24. . The Government's reply to the railwaymen's ultimatum says the claims are not justified, and states that advances of wages of the whole railway staff would involve the companies in ail additional expenditure of over forty-live million sterling annually, compared with pre-war figures. This is not including any portion of the war wage, which might be continued under the agreement of last March. It is estimated that other concessions already granted would cost another twenty millions. Passenger rates have already advanced by fifty per cent, in the ease of ordinary bookings, and might have to be extended to all passenger fares and goods. The rates have advanced, probably, over fifty per cent, to meet the increased pay. Such increases must be borne by the community and the country's export trade—Reuter. The ultimatum leaves the Government , either to declare its willingness to negotiate or make a fresh wages offer. The newspapers state that the executive is empowered to call a national Btrike within 24 hours without reference to members throughout the country. Prior to the issue of the ultimatum, Mr. Thomas, secretary of the Railwaymen's Union, issued a warning of th*) probability of a strike, pointing out that the February .agreement, which stabilises wages by the inclusion of a war bonus until December, enabled both Sides to negotiate on a new basis of standardisation. The Government fully recognised that the revision would ba upward, as the settlement of the loco, motive section was already based on principle, but the new proposals, after half a year's negotiation, reverse this policy for other grades.—Aus.-NJZ. Cable Assn. Received Sept. 25, 0.40 p.m. London, Sept. 23. The rajlwaymenfa ultimatum states that the Government offer will ultimately mean such a serious reduction in the pay of many members that it will not allow them to maintain their present standard of life. A conference is proceeding between Sir Lric Geddes and Mr. Lloyd George regarding the crisis. The Locomotive. Engineers' ISociaty and other transport workers' organisations were unaware of the ultimatum being issued. There is no indication that they will strike, thus rendering the success of the railway employees' demands very doubtful.—Aus'. NZ Cable Assoc. Received Sept. 25, 11.15 p.m. London, Sept. 24. •-ir Eric Geddes meets the railwaymen's leaders to-morrow morning. CABINET CONSIDERS SITUATION. MISUNDERSTANDING AS TO WAGES. Received Sept. 2(1, 1 a.m. . London, Sopt. 24. Mr. Thomas, replying to the Board of Trade's statement, declared that the raihvaymon's ultimatum was issued because the executive believed the Government had said its last word. He was now confident that was not so, but the Government should know that a strike is inevitable if the present offer is not improved. Mr. Thomas added that the Government must act quickly. The executive of the Associated Society of Locomotive Men attended the meeting of the National Union's executive. The Daily Telegraph states that although the Associated Society has its own agreement, it is considered likely it will co-operate with the National Union. Cabinet discussed the situation tonight for three hours. A Government •letter, marked "very urgent," was then delivered to the National Union's headquarters, but Mr. Thomas had already Jeft. The letter won't be opened till to-morrow. Though the contents of the Government's communication are undisclosed, it possibly contains an explanation on tho lines of the official statement issued through Mr. Marwood, who is now economic advisor to the Ministry for Transport. According to the statement, there has apparently been misunderstanding. The raihvaymen seem to have assumed that the war .wage would automatically be j abolished at the end of tlm war, resultI th£ men who are now receiving more than the new standard wage, but the aprreement doesn't sav so. _ There is nothing to prevent the men trying to raise the standard wage or secure a revision of the war wage in order to meet the cost of living. Mr. Marwood adds that the question of continuing to revise the war wage , will be considered bofere the end of the year, applying to others besides the vailwaymen. He indicates that Sir Eric will discuss the matter to-morrow with the executive.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Asi soemtion, ! STE PS FOR RESUMING NEGOTIAj< _ TIONS. Received Sept. 25, 11.15 p.m. 1 m, , . . London, Sept. 25. •the decision to call a strike to-morrow ; was telegraphed to all the railwaymenV branches in the Kingdom. Subseq'uentlv Cabinet proposed that the National Union of Raihvaymen should confer with ,' r , Kr; c Geddes to-day. It is believed that negotiations will thus be resumed.— Reuter. AN IMPROVED OUTLOOK. Received Sept. 25, 11.50 p.m. London, Sept. 25. The railway outlook has improved tonight. Cabinet sent an explanation to the union executive, which is expected to lead to fresh negotiations.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. ORIMES AGAINST THE WORKERS. MR. GOMPERS ON THE STEEL TRUST. Received Sept, 25, 9.8 p.m, Washington, Sept.' 24, Mr, Gompers (Labor leader) giving evidence at the Senatorial Inter-Stato Commerce CdWafittee,- aSsefted that the United- States Steel 1 Corporation Was jo""ty of serious crimes agairist tho ' Wwkeri, who' but tA|t£lk«, i

since Mr. Gary, chairman of the Steel Corporation, would riot give them a hearing.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. Received Sopt. 25, 9.40 p.m. New York, Sept. 24. Although the steel employers assert that the figures quoted by Mr. Foster (secretary for the steel unions) in regard to the number of men on strike are over-large, they admit that the conditions everywhere are serious, and that the industry has entered a critical period. Four steel strikers in Cleveland were stabbed in a riot.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.