THE DOCK LABORERS STRIKE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2212, 29 August 1889, Page 2

THE DOCK LABORERS STRIKE.

(PBB PRKSB ASSOCIATION.)

London, Angnafc 27 The Kaikoura has ten days' coal on board, and it is hoped her cargo of frozen mutton will be saved. . The strikers demand the abolition of middlemen and direct engagement of laborers at 6d per hour m the day time and 8d per hour overtime. The Directors of the Dock Companies refuse to agree to these terms. It is reported that Burns, the Socialist leader, is using his influence to prevent arson, turmoil and pillage. The London Chamber of Commerce urges that the dispute should be settled by arbitration, fearmg that permanent injury will be done to the trade of the port. The intimidation of new hands is reported to be increasing. The wharfingers support the abolition of sweating and middlemen. The Kaikoura has 33,000, and the Fifeshire 25,000 carcases of sheep on board, It is feared the Fifeshire's cargo will be destroyed unless coal can be obtained to keep the refrigerating machinery at work, bat the Kaikoura is out of danger for the present. The epidemio of striking is expeoted to extend to the provinces. At Southampton the men are already assuming a threatesing attitude, and the regular dispatch of the Australian mails is imperilled. It is suspected that the Socialists are planning a national labor revolt. Forty thousand rents m East London were not paid on Monday, and landlords | are powerless to obtain their money. The gas men have threatened to strike and leave London m darkness, but they have been warned they will be held criminally liable unless a week's notice is given. Lightermen, coalmen, firemen, engineers, porters, jam and biscuit makers, carters, and postal carmen are all on strike. London, August 9,8. Scavengers, milkmen, printinglaborerp and seven thousand iron workers have ioined the strikers. Government have conceded the postal carmen's demands. The Liguria's firemen have struck, and the Ruapehu's are threatening to follow suit. Nine thousand coal hands iin London have also struck. Messrs Nelson Bros, landed 180 carcases from the Fifeshire. but the strikers compejled them tp desist from further operations. " >■ The Dock Directors assert that the strikers refuse to agree to arbitration.