Labour Troubles

Feilding Star, Volume XII, Issue 29, 23 August 1890, Page 2

Labour Troubles

♦ (PEB UNITKD Pit ESS ASSOCIATION) Sydney, Aujrnst 21. It is estimated that one firm haa engaged 150 non-unionists to work their vessels. Slaughtermen refuse to kill sheep shorn by non-union . men and the butchers, employed are influencing their masters to boycott stock sellers who sympathise with those opposing the Shearers' Union. In consequence of the strikes the engineers of the steamers are being discharged, and captains are being placed on half pay. The commercial' men propose holding a meeting to consider the question of as -isting ship, owners during the strike. So far as the strike has been carried out in an orderly manner, and no disturbances have been reported. A mass meeting of gas stokers is to be held to-morrow to consider the action to be taken in the present crisis. The wool stevedores are still idle, and no attempt has been made to employ nonunionists to load wool, of which only a small quantity has as yet arrived. Wool ships are not available, and in many instances squatters have postponed shearing. It will be impossible to store the wool in Sydney if shearing operators proceed and the strike continues, as there is only accommodation for 100,000 bales. Newcastlk, August 21. Freights to Melbourne have -advanced from 4s to 255, and to Adelaide from 10s to 35s per ton. Tonnage is largely sought for New Zealand ports at fancy prices. It is reported that at least a dozen steamers have been offered the Trade and Labour Council under charter for the coal trade. The Council are making inquiries with a view to ascertaining whether the steamship owners are in any way connected or interested in these vessels before they take action. Brisbane, August 21. The Strike Committee have cabled to the London dockers asking them to prepare for a general blockade of the British India Steamship Company's steamers at every port in the world. CHBIhTCHCKCH, August 21." The Gas Company has written to the Trades and Labour Council denying that the men were discharged for being unionists, or that any threats had been made by one of their managers that he would crush the combination of the men, and declining an interview with the Council. Dxtnedin, August 21. The Union Steam Shipping Company ! have receiyed . information that . - the i wharf labourers at Sydney refused to discharge the cargo of the Taieri, which arrived there this morning. The crew of the Waihora discharged that vessel, and she was to leave for Newcastle to-mglit. Geeymouth, August 21 The loss in wages since the Brnnnertoh lock out is ;£7OOO. The loss to the railway is also considerable. There is no sign of setliement, through it is reported the Company- has written to the Miners' Association asking them to go to work" at 20 per cent reduction pending the report of the Boyal Commission. A number of grocers have shut Tip, and others are following suit. The fires at Brunner Mine will stop for want of coal. All the coal rubbish lying about the Coalpit Heath and Wallseud mines is being carted to the Brunner Mine to keep the boilers going.