THE LABOUR DIFFICULTY

Feilding Star, Volume XII, Issue 60, 6 November 1890, Page 2

THE LABOUR DIFFICULTY

♦ LPSB UNITED PBEBS ASSOCIATION, j London, November 3. The dockers resumed work very sullenly and threaten to destroy their tickets a week hence if they are compelled to work with free labourers. The Dockers' Union is deficient in funds and unable to sustain a severe fight. Its financial position is stopping further funds being sent to Australia. The shipowners are perfecting their plans to resist the dockers, and will erect barracks in view of an emergency arising. November 4. It is stated that the shipowners have sufficient free labourers to make their scheme workable, and it is believed that they are trying to force a strike, relying on the promise of military assistance to maintain order. A great strike is probable on Friday. The carpenters of England have decided to strike in May for eight hours' labour, and an increase of wages to tenpence per hour. The dockowners are satisfied with piecework as carried out at the Albert and Victorian Docks, and are hopeful to extend the system to other docks. November 5. Eight hundred dockers at the Victoria Docks have struck work owing to the half hour for dinner being disallowed. The Unionists marched in procession to a meeting at Mile End, headed by bands and flying banners. Mr John Burns presided at the meeting, which was attended by fully 7000, representing all the trades of Great Britain. In the course of his address Mr Fitzgerald asserted that Mr Champion had done untold harm in Australia, and had changed the issue from the first, by mooting the employment of free labor. He asked the leaders of the English Unions to repudidiate Mr Champion's action. FitzGerald's references to Mr Champion, at the meeting of Unionists at Mile . End, were received with loud groans and cries of " Shoot him; he dare not return.'* Sydney, November 4. The miners at the Great Northern Company's colliery have resumed work, despite the order of the Miners' Executive to await the result of the conference between the masters and the miners. This Day. The wharf laborers have decided to continue the strike and refused to entertain a proposal to refer the question to the ballot. There is a great deal of distress prevailing among the families of the strikers. Replying to a question in the House of Assembly last night, Government stated that they only intend to afford relief in cases of actual starvation. The work at the Newcastle mines is almost certain to be resumed on Tuesday. The miners have passed a resolution that the strike has shown the folly of enforcing a high entrance fee to join the union, and they recommend that the fee be abolished. Melbourne, This Day. The strike is virtually over, and the members of various trades are arranging to work. Hobabt, This Day. The wharf laborers have given in and will return to work.