LABOUR UPHEAVAL.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXVI, Issue 13523, 3 November 1911, Page 5

LABOUR UPHEAVAL.

RAILWAYMEN'S DEMANDS. Prewt Association .—Telegraph.—Copyright. , , LONDON, November 2. The railwaynien’s manifesto and demands, which were formulated, at Doncaster; and have been approved by various meetings, including King’s Cross, Peteraborough, and Bradford, is now before the men’s executives for revision. The companies declare that the demands are impossible, and assert that, if conceded, they would entail an additional annual outlay totalling several millions. A COMPROMISE SUGGESTED. LONDON, November 2. The committee of the four Railwayman's Unions is sharply divided in opinion concerning the findings of the Commission. Latest indications are that a compromise will be found towards a greater degree of recognition, with the view of obviating any precipitate action. TAXI DRIVERS’ STRIKE. Received November 3. 8.5 a.m. LONDON, November 2. Taxi-cab drivers to the number of 3000 have struck. ALL OVER THREEPENCE. Received November 3, 9.10 a.m, LONDON, November- 2There five 6600 taxi-cabs idle as a result of the dispute over 3d for extras retained by one driver. THE SYDNEY STRIKE. THE WHOLE PORT IDLE. Surprised Deep-Sea Men. Explanation of the Position. • Received November 2, 1.55 p.m. SYDNEY, November 2. So far as the wharf labourers are concerned the whole port is idle. The deciaon .to extend the strike came as a surprise to many deep-sea men who did not attend the meeting. They presented themselves at the wharves with their dinners, prepared to work, and when informed that the meeting had voted in favoui of a strike many impromptu indignation meetings were held on the wharves. A petition was drawn up praying the executive to call a halt, hold another general mooting, and allow all to attend. Signatures are being readily attached. The position appears to be that at the first general meeting the deep-sea men voted for the inter-State workers to continue the strike. Last night the interstate ‘ men filled the hall and voted for the deep-sea men to join them, each section voting where the other’s interests were concerned. Many of the men declare that a secret ballot would result in the immediate return to work of all haud'b. THE SYDNEY STRIKEFirm Stand by Government. “Work Must Be Carried On.” SYDNEY. November 2. A special meeting of the Cabinet discussed the strike, and subsequently the Hon. Mr McQowen, Premier, stated that the work of the port must be carried on. The Government would take all the necessary steps to .prevent trade being suspended. The Government would appoint an arbitration' tribunal immediately to consider the position. Trade Unionists support the Government’s attitude. Mr McGowen added that, since the commencement of tho trouble, realising the serious danger of the strike spreading, he and his colleagues had used their endeavours to secure a resumption of work. He was astounded at the wahrf labourers’ , attitude regarding the strike of the deepsea men. To persist in such a strike would cause serious injury to general Trades Unionism and industrial arbitration, and lay open the Trades Unionists to the reproach that agreements solemnly entered into can bo flagrantly violated. He still believed that the Wharf Labourers’ Union had not grasped the seriousness of the situation the State was face to face with. A general stoppage of transport work would spell disaster to the men concerned and the whole community. The strikers made a serious mistake in acting as enemies to Trades Unionism. Ho urged them, in their own interests and in the interests of Trades Unionism, to immediately resume and submit their dispute to arbitration. Whatever tho consequences, the Government was determined to discharge its duties to the community. If immediate resumption on all wharves were decided on, serious consequences, which were otherwise inevitable, would be averted. This was a time when all true Unionists should stand by the declared policy of industrial arbitration and assist the Government in vindicating it. SHIPOWNERS’ SURPRISED. Stoppage Unpopular With Men. SYDNEY. November 2. The sudden action of the deep-sea men completely surprised shipowners, and greatly accentuated congestion. The effect is particularly felt in connection with a number of partially-loaded and unloaded oversea vessels, which have been added: to the long list of coastal inter-State vessels already held up. A strong section of the deep-sea men freely expressed dissatisfaction with the stoppage. A petition has been extensively signed, asking the executive to call another special "mass meeting. It is understood that arrangements are being made to hold the meeting on Saturday. Tho Shipowners’ Federation will probably meet to-morrow to discuss the situation. Addressing one of a number of impromptu meetings to-day, a prominent member of ithe Wharf Labourers’ Union declared that the action of the Union in calling the men out was like a burglar entering a man’s house without giving warning. The, whole thing was unconstitutional and illegal. He would rather lose the whole of the society’s funds than act dishonestly, like this. The work of unloading vessels is beginning to tell on the clerks and permanent hands. As a consequence, some companies are curtailing their already small consignments and refusing to receive more cargo. The deep-sea men’s action left the, Tofna’s cargo of bananas partially tinloaded, fruit merchants’ clerks finishing the work. • . The Moana has not been touched since her arrival. Other vessels are in a similar position, while the crews of some deepsea vessels have replaced wharf labourers.