THE SEAMEN'S STRIKE

Feilding Star, Volume XII, Issue 32, 30 August 1890, Page 2

THE SEAMEN'S STRIKE

— ♦ — — ■ (PEB UNITED PKESS ASSOCIATION.) London, August 28. The Dockers' Union haye voted £1000 to assist the strikers, and will levy Is ptr week on all members. Some half million London unionists have proffered a shilling levy. The Austrulian strike is creating a deal of excitement amongst unionists, and members of the Dockers' Union are eager to offer every assistance, many intimating a desire to contribute Is per day. The Morning Post, in discussing the question, states that it is manifest the Trade Unionists of Australia arrogate the right to decide who shall be employed. It was, however,, satisfactory to learn that employers in the colony had laid to heart the lesson which British owners had yet to learn " that of standing firm." The Standard hopes that democratic Australia will prevent mob rule, and belives that the Australian workmen are stronglj in favour of individual liberty. Sydney, ugust2B. A committee of Mediation, consisting of influential gentlemen not connected with either side, has been formed. They are reticent as to their intentions. Seven thousand colliers have been locked out at Newcastle. One of the rioters was sentenced to seven days' imprisonment. Local freights and potatoes have nssn 500 per cent., but dair produce remains at ordinary prices, as large supplies are coming in by rail. ' A Gazette was issued to-day proclaiming that Btringent measures would be taken to maintain law and afford complete security to persona engaged in lawful callings. Several cases of ill-treatment of free labourers occurred to-day. At one wharf it was found necessary to domicile men on the wharf. August 29. 2000 wharf laborers to-day received strike pay. A second detachment of artillery, with two Noidenfeldt guns, has been despatched to Newcastle. The Protection of Laborers Bill has been introduced into the Legislative Council. It will afford protection to those non-unionists who have work to perform. In some quarters the impression prevails that the Marine Officers' Association have recognised that they haye have committed an error of judgement in affiliating with the labour bodies. It is said they were anxious to meet shipowners separately, so that the grievances of other bodies might be dealt with on their merits. ADELAIDE, August 28. Strike matters are quiet at present. There is no " free labour " available at Port Adelaide. Strike funds are coming in freely. August 29. In the House of Assembly notice oi motion was given suggesting a conference of delegates of Australian Legislatures to consider the introduction of a uniform measure to control trade and labor organisations, and provide Boards of Conciliation. Melbourne, August 28. The gas strike haß assumed a seriouE aspect. So far the "free" labourers employed haye not been capable of doing the work properly. A mob stormed the Fitzroy gasworks and made an meffectual attempt to get at the " free " labourers engaged there. A large body of police disperasd tbe rioters. Constables arc being drafted into the city from the country districts, and artillerymen haye been ordered up from Queenscliffe. August 29. Owing to the shortness of coal, the Railway Commissioners have determined to reduce the train service, and passengei trains will he cut down by one-fourth. Bbisbanb, August 28. Several Unionists have written to the press blaming the leaders for getting them into the difficulty, and asked to be reinstated in work. Chbistchubch, August 26. Mr P. Brown, President of the Wharl Labourers Union at 3 p.m. received a telegram ordering the work of unloading Hie Tekapo to cease at 330 p.m. The order" all hands ashore" was passed among the men at work unloading that vessel, and they at once threw down theii shovels and came ashore. The Union Company state they have received plenty of applications. August 29. A meeting of officors belonging to the Union Company's steamers was held yesterday evening on board the Penguin. The officers of the Tekapo, Wakatipu, Dingadee, and Penguin were present and decided that if non-union seamen or firemen were put on board they would decline to go to sea with them* Timabu, August 28. Forseeing a difficulty in shipping away flour the mills will give their hands a week's notice and shnt down. Napieb, August 28. The Union Company is setting offers of " free " labour. There is evidently a great division of opinion among tbe unionists here on strike matters. Dunedin, August 28. The crew of the Brunner left the vessel at noon. The offioers, orew, firemen and trimmers of the Te Anau gave notice to-day as spon as the vessel arrived, and they leave in the morning. Notwithstanding this the Company are sanguine that tbey will be able to despatch her for Melbourne on Saturday. Cooks and stewards of the Te Anau had a meeting and decided that they would not strike, and those of the Brunner have come to a similar decision. 1 As soon as the Banks Peninsula returned from Oamaru to-night the crew and firemen, who had given notice yesterday, packed up their kits and left the vessel. The Company's coal supply is large, and will for a considerable time. The railway coal supply is a heavy one, but the authorities have taken Bteps to nurse it. The men at the Hillside workshops also received notice to-day that they would only be required to work four days per week in future. The stock of sea borne coal in Dunedin for general purposes is practically nil; but bo long as the lignite and brown ooal mines are not interfered with this fact will scarcely affect the manufacturers and others. The gasworks haye a coal supply to last up to the 20th of next month. Of general stock the only items in short supply are sugar and kerosene, but a vessel with supply is about due from New York. Some augar which would usually bring about £25 was sold for J329 10s. At a special meeting ofthe Typographical Association it was resolved to make a levy of 2s 6d per member per week in aid of seamen and others. August 29. Tho officer* of the Waihora, Pukaki, Mawhera, Mahinupua, and Grafton refused to come out ot the ships. The men remain loyal to the employers. Wkstpobt, August 28. Acting under instructions to boycott ill Union Company's ste-mitos utilising

nonunion labour, the wharf lumpers engaged coaling three T7.S.S. Company's boats were called out at 3.20 this evening. At a meeting of the officers ofthe Orj^^T ton, Mahinapua, and Mawhera, a reiq^B ti'.n was passed protesting against Mr Millar's request to break the agreement recently entered into with the Union Company. August 29. The wharf lumpers loading the Grafton and Mawhera were called out last night by order of the Maritime Council. The Railway Manager summoned permanent way hands to the work, and these were then called out, only one man out of twenty remaining. All strikers haye been suspended. The Union Company's manager, clerks and townspeople are working at tbe vessels. AH work at Dennis ton mine was dosed to-day by order of the Maritime Council. Passenger and goods traffic on the railways will be suspended to-morrow. Auckland. August 28. The 8»s, Waihora arrived this morning from Newcastle. She did not got' to Sydney, fearing trouble. She has brought a large cargo of coals; It is stated! that she will not be interfered with until her arrival at Dunedin. W, ELLINGTON, August 29. The wharf labourers have gone out on strike, blocking the Union Co's vessels. The Kanieri managed to get away te* Blenheim, but the Takapuna, which was to have gone south, still has her cargo on board. The W areata arrived! from Auckland this morning and her cargo was not touched.