LOWER WAGES.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 May 1922, Page 5

LOWER WAGES.

RESENTED BY WORKERS. TROUBLE IN AUSTRALIA. MELBOURNE STRIKE. By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright. Received May 11, 11.30 p.m. Melbourne, May 11. An important development has occurred in the gasworkers’ dispute, the gas companies declining to postpone the reduction in wages or to discuss the question of wages with the union. The Union has convened a meeting for Sunday, to decide whether to strike. Grave fears are entertained that the employees will cease work on Monday. Received May 11, 11.30 p.m. Sydney, May 11. A mass meeting of all building employees will be held on the 24th instant to consider the question of the basic wage and determine what action will be taken towards the reduction of wages and the alteration of hours.

COAL-MINING CRISIS. Sydney, May 11. The Daily Telegraph predicts that, owing to the depressed and unsettled condition of the coal industry, a grave danger exists of an early industrial crisis. The paper declares that the unemployment problem hinges on the price of coal, which remains high because of the wages paid to the miners. Only a conference and a compromise between the Coalminers Federation and the colliery proprietors can avert an industrial catastrophe. Meantime 1000 miners are idle in Newcastle, Lithgow.and other mining districts, seriously affecting other avenues of employment and crippling business enterprise. THE 44-HOUR WEEK. Sydney, May 11. The Shire Councillors’ Conference discussed the effect of the 44-hour week, the unanimous opinion being that it had a disastrous effect upon Shire finances, in some instances resulting in the dismissal of men owing to compulsory retrenchment. The loss to the Shires was estimated at £50,000 irrespective of the losses by muncipalities. MINING INDUSTRY GRIEVANCES. Sydney, May 11. Representatives of the mining industry have decided to form a deputation to wait on Mr. Fitzpatrick for the purpose of removing the pinpricks, which are said to have become sabre thrusts. It is suggested that the Minister, when dealing with important mining problems, should confer with men who understood the economic position as well as technical experts. The grievances comprised excessive stamp taxation and railway freights. A ton of wool is railed for 2s, while a ton of ore is charged £3 10s. LOWER WAGES OPPOSED. Sydney, May 10. A conference was held on the proposed reduction of wages recently, and the decisions arrived at are to be placed before ! the engineers’ meeting next Saturday. The i feeling expressed at the Trades Hall was that a strong effort should be made by alt unionists to combat any reduction. The Melbourne secretary of the Electrical Trades Union informed the Federal industrial registrar that union officials were against any extension of the strike. A meeting of the industrial disputes’ council at the Trades Hall endorsed this view, and this will be reported to the mass meeting of electricians who control the city’s supply of electricity.