DOCK LABOURERS' STRIKE. MILITARY CALLED OUT. MISERY AMONG THE WORKMEN. London, August 26.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 398, 31 August 1889, Page 5

DOCK LABOURERS' STRIKE. MILITARY CALLED OUT. MISERY AMONG THE WORKMEN. London, August 26.

Sixty thousand men are, now on strike. In consequence of the stoppage of works several Australian steamers are unloading at Plymouth. Thousands of artisans of various trades are joining the movement as a mark of sympathy. The public sympathises with the strikers in many of their demand*, and suggestions are made for arbitration. The Kaikoura and Fifeshirehare been unable to unload, and it is feared that, unless the strike soon terminates, they will be unable to keep the refrigerating machinery at work. Any new hands taken on are threatened by the strikers, There are 250 steamers in the port' of London waiting to unload. Two steamers of the Anglo-Australasian Steam Navigation Company have been unable to coal. The dock strike is paralysing business. The public is largely contributing to the strikers' support; but the misery is becoming acute. Although the strikers are generally orderly, a force of cavalry and artillery is kept in readiness, lest an attack should be made on the docks. Lumpers, porters, and carmen are striking for double [wages. Fruit and meat are rotting in tons. The clerks of the Orient Company are assisting to load the Liguria. The P. and O. Company are unloading some of their vessels at Southampton. • One of the immediate consequences' of the strike is that the shipping trade of London is being diverted to Antwerp, Hamburg, and North British ports. The regular dockmen only number 3,000 ; the remainder of the men on strike are river workmen, and they are said to number 80,000. The committee has forbidden irregular strikes.