The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1922-02-03
INTERNATIONAL
LABOR NEWS

AUSTRIA: Report on Strikes
There were 302 strikes in this coun-
try in 1921, involving 124,062 work
ingmen, who lost 93,398 working
days.
BELGIUM: Unemployment Insur-
ance.-Of the 746,O30 workingmen
subscribers to the governments I'M
employment insurance, 132,204 be-
came beneficiaries of the system
which pays from l to S francs day
to the involuntary idle.
CUBA: Havana.-Cigar workers
on strike since December % have
had satisfactory settlement Of their
differences with the manufacturers.
ENGLAND: Boot and Shoe Trade.
With 81 per cent of the workers
in the boot and shoe trades unem-
ployed and 33 per cent on short time,
negotiations are on for new agree
ment on working hours and wages.
Eight-Hour Day-Sir Charles N.
NIAGARA is making an appeal to min
ers through the press to adopt the
eight-hour instead of the seven-hour
maximum, with a view to securing
cheaper fuel for industries.
Standardization January 81, any
industrial firm desiring to work over
time must apply to the Emergency
Committee of Industrial Council for
permission.
Settlement of Pottery Dispute
A reduction of 20%o in gross wages
is the principal factor in the settle
ment of the long drawn out dispute
in the pottery industry This reduc-
ton. at a stabilized wage, is infin-
itely better, it is said, than half-time
employment at the former full rates.
Unemployment in the Cotton Trade.
The employment situation in the
cotton trade districts continues to be
bad, although few firms which have
been closed in the Stalybridge dis
trict have been reopened. The weav-
ers alone appear to be finding in
creased employment. Only % out of
62 cotton yarn companies have been
able to make any returns to the
stockholders.
FINLAND: Land Clearing.-To
clear land for cultivation 57,145 per-
sons received aid from special APP
preparation made by the Finnish
Diet to encourage this industry.
Price of Foodstuffs.-Since 1914,
seven food necessities show an aver
age increase in price Of 1856 per
cent in Finland. Rent has increased
6O2.3; fuel, 1,307.3; clothing, 1,106,
and tobacco, 1911.
FRANCE: Miners and Operators
Confer-Aside from bitterly oppos-
ing any wage reductions, miners
representatives in conference with
operators in the region of Nord and
Pas de Calais are asking monthly
allowances of coal for the miners
families.
GERMANY: Comparative Wages.
An official review of comaratlve
wages, with basis for Germany of
100 per cent, says Austria stands at
6S2 per cent; Hungary, 1858; Ger
many, 100; Finland, 148; Italy, 1T;
Belgium, $50; Norway, 1926; Den
mark, 1888; France, 477; Switzer-
land. 625, and Sweden, 625.
HUNGARY: Repatriation.-It is
reported that 10000 Hungarians
have returned to their native country
in the past five months. Many of
these are said to have come from the
United States.
SPAIN: Cadiz.-The Astilleros
Gaditance, which is the largest ship
yard here, closed down January 5.
SWEDEN: Wage Reduction by
Agreement.-A conference, held in
Stockholm, between employers and
representatives of employees resulted
in a lowering of wages to reduce the
cost of production in all commodities
in order that Swedish products would
have a better chance in competitive