THE RAND STRIKE.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 March 1922, Page 5

THE RAND STRIKE.

ISSUES FROM THE RISING. COMMISSION APPOINTED. By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright. Capetown, March 27. In the Assembly the Nationalists and Laborites are strenuously resisting the passage of the Indemnity Bill, in view of the Government’s refusal of an early inquiry. They have also brought forward additional allegations of malpractices on the part of the Government forces. The debate ended by the application of the closure by 24 votes to 3, after nearly two full days’ debate. Mr. Hertzog’s amendment was negatived and the first reading adopted by 60 votes to 45, after four divisions. General Smuts announced that the Government had completed arrangements for the appointment of the promised commission to inquire into the industrial issues arising from the strike. The terms of reference included the effect and extent of the status quo agreement of 1918, referring to the class of work performed by native labor, and the necessity for the continuance, variation or abolition thereof and the desirability of establishing another system for regulating the ratio of European to native labor on the mines; methods to be adopted by the industry to effect economies and to promote efficiency; to secure the maximum employment of European labor; the possibility of classifying the mines in two grades, employing a different ratio of European and native labor and different working conditions; also to inquire into the recent coal dispute. The personnel of the commission is: Justice Sir Wniiam Solomon (chairman), Sir Robert Kotze (Government mining engineer), Sir Carruthers Beattie (principal of the University of Capetown). Through the assistance of the British Government, the Union Government had also been able to secure the appointment of Mr. William Brace, Labor adviser to the British Ministry of Labor, whose knowledge of labor and mining conditions would be of the greatest service. The commission would commence sitting almost immediately. At Johannesburg the Industrial Federation has now issued a circular to the affiliated unions, stating that the appointment of augmented executive was unconstitutional. The federation itself had no connection with the whole business except being forced to recognise the augmented executive which, after all, was only the central strike committee.

The circular adds that the individuals responsible for the unconstitutional actions which led to the disaster will be expelled from the federation.

Mr. Crawford, general secretary of the federation, commenting on the Chamber of Mines’ conditions, concerning the recognition of the unions, accuses the Chamber of extremism, which bids fair to destroy the esteem in which it is held by the public and our employees. The conditions laid down make the trade union a type of organisation which is not trade unionism at all. He warns the chamber that when the pendulum swings back the federation may decide not to recognise the chamber.

Although the revolution is over there is still a considerable amount of unrest, and shots were fired at the police yesterday. It is not generally known that early during the revolution three South African mounted riflemen deserted with their arms and ammunition.