GENERAL STRIKE OF SEAMEN. New Zealand and Queensland Unions Dissent.

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 138, 23 January 1886, Page 5

GENERAL STRIKE OF SEAMEN. New Zealand and Queensland Unions Dissent.

Melbourne, January 13. The Victorian Seamen'B Union have received a reply from the New South Wales Union promising co-operation in case of a strike. The Brisbane Union have requested further information before giving a definite ( answer. The masters remain firm, and are determined if the strike extends , to lay up their vessels altogether rather than submit to the demands of the men. Cor* respondenoe is now passing between the Trades' Council and the shipowners relative to the proposal of the first-named body to establish a Board of Conciliation for the settlement of the dispute, j

Later. The Seamen's Union have resolved to give the shipowners 20 hours' notice of the intention of the members of the Union to strike work. The strike will probably affect 50 steamers. The Seamen's Union have received an answer from the New Zealand Union declining to co-operate pending the receipt of fun her information from the Victorian Union,

Melbourne, January 14. Pursuant to notice given to ship-owners, all seamen employed on the intercolonial steamers have struck work, with the exception of the men belonging to the Union Company of New Zealand and Adelaide Steamship Company. The latter company yielded to the demands of the Union, because it already pays Union rates in Adelaide. The seamen and firemen employed on the Tasmanian Steam Navigation Company's s.s. Patteen deserted just before the veesel was to leave for Launceston. The captain, however, proceeded on the voyage, relying on the mates and engineers and a number of volunteers among the steerage passengers to work the ship. On i eceipt ot the notice from the Seamen's Union, intimating their intention to go on strike in 24 hourd, tbe shipowners withdrew the letter they had written to Mr Murphy, Secretary of the Trades Council, agreeing to the appointment of a Board of Conciliation under certain conditions. Thirty-two of the men brought to Victoria from .New Zealand by the Waihora are now working for the Union Company, while a similar number is employed by the A.S.N. Company. The attirude of the remaining men is uncertain.

Melbourne, January 15. The men brought over from New Zealand by the Waihora have been distributed among various shipowners, there being only few absentees when called upon.

Melbourne, January 15. The shipowners are making great efforts to replace their crews, and are meeting with partial success. The engineers have followed the example of the aeamen, and have issued a notice announcing their intention to strike work. It is expressly stipulated, however, that this action does not apply to the Union Company.

Melbourne, January 16. Negotiations between the Committee of the Employes Union and Trades Council for settlement of the labourers' Btrike are still proceeding. The Trades Council has adopted a draft of arrangements to be submitted for approval to the Board of Conciliation. The men, in the meantime, are to receive is 3d per hour while working The members of the Cooks and Stewards Union have decided to go out on strike to-day. A meeting of the Seamen's Union was held last night, when the men declined to agree to the appointment of a board 2of conciliation, and pledged themselves to resume work only when the demands of the wharf labourers were satisfied. The employers of the Union, acting in co-operation with the Trades' Council, is endeavouring to intercede for a settlement of the difficulty. In consequence of the strike, the departure of coasting steamers is being delayed. negotiations between the committee of the Employers' Union and the Trades Council for the settlement of the labourers' strike are still proceeding. The Trades Council has adopted draft arrangements to be submitted for the approval of the Board of Conciliation, the men meantime to receive Is 3d per hour while working.

Melbourne, January 17. The shipowners have accepted the proposals put forward by the Board of Conciliation, and the men resume work tomorrow morning provisionally at the rate of Is 3d an hour, until the difficulty is settled.

Melbourne, Jan 19. The Board of Conciliation which has been decided upon to settle the differences between ship owners and their employees will consist of eleven members, five to be appointed by each side, and an umpire to be appointed by the ten delegates.

Sydney, January 14. The New South Wales Seamen's Union has espoused the cause ot tho Melbourne wharf labourers, and the Steamer Cheviot, in consequence, is unable to ship a crew.

Sydney, Jan. 15. The cooks and stewards here are in accord with the strikers, and are giving them considerable support. Sydney shipowners are unanimous in their determination not to give way. Further developments of the dispute are anxiously awaited. The seamen on the intercolonial steamers are acting in concert with the Melbourne strikers, and the crew ot Messrs \Howard Smith's s.s. Ando have given formal notice of their intention to cease work at once. Sydney, Jan 19. The various steamers sailed on Saturday with non-Union crews. This morning matters assumed their normal condition.

Dunedin, Jan 14. Ninety-five men were engaged to proceed to Melbourne by the Manapouri.

End of the Lumpers' Strike. Melbourne, January 19. The wharf labourers went to work yesterday morning as usual, and the loading and unloading of vessels was actively carried on during the day.