THE LABOUR DIFFICULTY

Feilding Star, Volume XII, Issue 49, 9 October 1890, Page 2

THE LABOUR DIFFICULTY

I PER UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION. | London, October 6 The Dockers Congress has closed its sitting. A resolution was passed to-day that it would be impossible to enforce an eight hours limit. Two thousand lightermen have struck at Hull. At Newport two thousand engineers and boilruakers have been locked out. A federation, of the unskilled labour Unions is projected, embracing one and a quarter million workers, as a counterblast to the Shipowners' Society. The dockers assert that the resolution not to block vessels in the Australian trade refers to the present period only, and blocking may still possibly be resorted to if the strike is prolonged. October 7. The Allan line of steamers complains that their trade is paralysed by the extortions, laziness, and dishonesty of the dockers. It is expected that no fewer than 3000 Birmingham gunmakers will have to be discharged through the McKinley Tariff Bill. The Dockers' Executive has decided to refuse to issue strike pay until the fourth day of a strike in order to discourage petty disputes. A general strike of compositors, in London, for an increase of wages, is being organised. The Scotch furnace men out on strike I have expressed their willingness to return. Sydney. October 7. The Marine Service Association, which I was formed in opposition to the Marine Officers' Society, has been disbanded. Some of the Western miners have resumed work without the consent of the Labour Defence Committee. A mass meeting is to be held to-inorrosv. The female rioters were find, and the men sentenced to terms of imprisonment ranging from a week to four months. October 8. The Labor Defence Committee has issued a statement accusing the Employers of evading a Conference. The manifesto asserts that no settlement can be arrived at except at an intercolonial Conference of both sides. The refusal of the I masters, even to meet to discuse matters,

can only be construed that they prefer to let the strike continue in the hope that they may crush Unionism; hence it is necessary to resist this unwarrantable attack on the rights of labor,- and thcs commit' ee recommend that all Union* should d . e, their energies to the collection ot muds, and also avail themselves of the privileges of the franchise to sweep I monopolists and class representatives from Parliament. A mass meeting of Western miners has decided to continue the strike to the end. Fifty non-Unionists were despatched to work in a Southern calliery, but tho strikers induced them all to decline when they reached the spot. Another detachment of free laborers will commence to work under a police guard. One result of the strike is that the Railway revenue is seriously affected, and there has been a falling off of £17,000 in a fortnight. Wellington, October 7 A rumour comes from Lyttelton with respect to the line of action taken by Mr J. A. Millar as the result of the conference. It is that on Monday Mr Millar telegraphed the Christchurch labor bodies (and presumably) those in other parts of the Colony that the only course he saw was for.the men who are out to go back to work as occasion offered. As to the future action of the Maritime Council, Mr Millar says the strike will be continued. October 8. A ten per cent, levy is <o be made ' n Unionists in support of those on strike. It. will only affect those earning over £1 a week. Mr Millarsaid the council is considering the advisability of allowing members of the Wharf Carters' Expr ss, and Storemen's Union to return to work. The deputation appointed by the Labour Conference yesterday waited on the Premier at dooq to-day, but repre» sentatires of the press were not admitted.