LABOR UNREST.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 September 1922, Page 5

LABOR UNREST.

UPHEAVAL FACES AUSTRALIA. By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright. Sydney, Sept. 27. Mr. Willis, secretary of the Coalminers’ Union, states that the employers refused to allow the Coal Tribunal to deal with the deficiency question and to accept its decisions. This left the miners no alternative but to refuse to continue work under existing conditions and they decided to give fourteen days’ notice of their intention to cease work. Grave fears are entertained that the trouble will extend to other unions. Ample supplies of coal are held by the City Council and the railways. The Miners’ Federation is submitting the following demands to the southern owners: A pillar working place to be defined as a working place with two .loose ends; when a miner fails to make less than 25s per shift, contract rates shall be paid at not less than that amount; thirdly, no deductions for dirt or explosives shall be allowed from that amount. Mr. Hibble is convening a meeting of the tribunal on October 10 to hear the employers’ claim for a 331-3 per cent, reduction in wages. Eleven mines are idle in the northern fields through strikes.

NO DEVELOPMENTS. THE MINERS ORGANISING. Received Sept. 29, 10.20 p.m. Sydney, Sept. 29. Pending the result of the conference be* tween the owners and the miners, no further developments have occurred in Lie coal dispute. The miners declare they have been promised support by various unions, and they are also requesting support from unions overseas, should trouble occur. In the event of a strike, 20,000 miners in Australia will be thrown idle. The Amalgamated Engineers’ Union de_ cided that it will not allow the Council o. Action to take the supreme control of its affairs in connection with the industrial dispute, but states it is pleased to co-oper-ate with the council. WEEKLY HOURS QUESTION. Received Sept. 29, 10.20 p.m. Melbourne, Sept. 29. The conference between the dispute committee of the Trades Hall and the Engineers’ Union failed to reach a decision on the 48-hours week question, and adjourned till Monday.