LABOR CRISIS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1937, 31 August 1889, Page 1

LABOR CRISIS.

THE GREAT STRIKE* IN LONDON, London, August 27.

The coal porters at Loudon depots are out on strike demanding higher wages. In consequence the seaborne coal trade is almost at a standstill. The total number of men now on strike is 100,000, but except in cases of dock laborers and stevedores none are directed by union and labor councils. The assistance rendered by the public to the strikers is spasmodic and unlikely lo last. Parleying is proceeding, but-ithe dock companies refuse to ;yielik certain .points. Burns, the socialist; is acting as the mouthpiece of the strikers. Thousands of tons of New Zealand mutton are rotting in the ships hold, and prices consequently are doubling, The strikers demand the abolition of middleman, and the direct engagement of labourers at 6d per boar in the daytime and 8d per hour overtime. The directors of the dock companies refuse to agree to these terms. It is reported that Burns, the Somalis leader, is using bis influence to prevent arson, turmoil, and pillage, The Kaikoura has 32,000 and the Fifesbire 25,000 carcases of sheep on board It is feared the latter’s cargo il I '^rct 9 to? machinery at work, bat the K.ikotm’i is out of danger for the present. The epidemic o( striking » expected lo extend to the Provinces. At Soothampton men are already assuming a threatening attitude, and the regular despatch of Australian mails is imperilled. It ir suspend that bociahsts are planning a national labor revolt. Forty thousand rents m East London were not paid cm Monday, and be land"da 1 powerleaa to ob.om their “Tbegaaman have threatened to strike and Lave London in dykness bn they have been warned that they tv II bo held criminally liable unless a week 8 notice IB given* Lightermen, coalmen, firemen, engineer, porters, jam and biscuit makers, carters, and postal carmen, ate nova all on strike. Angost 4g-

Scavengers, milkmen, printing laborers, and 7000 ironworkers have joined the strikers. , , . The Government have conceded tb postal carmen’s demands. V The Liguria’s firemen have struck. JNine thousand coal bands m London have also struck. Messrs Nelson Bros, landed 180 carcases from the Fifeehiro, but the strikers compelled them to desist from farther operations, . 0 , New Zealand mutton has risen 2d shippers applaud Triton’s suggestions that a London Dock Trust should supersede the dock companies. Mr M. Isaacs, the Mayor-elect, promises to try and give effect to the proposal The Ruapehu has sailed for New Zeaa joint committee of comp™". .«d strikers have advised the abolition of Si men and an increase in weges. The directors of the dock companies have agreed to concede the former, but refuse any monetary increase,“ K . Several coal carters at Kmgscross railway station have been sentenced to terms of imprisonment for noting an intimidation. Augußt 29.

The dock owners have held a conference at which it was decided to agree to everything except the demand for 6 an hour, The dock men refused to aceept a compromise, and Barnsi is engaged in negotiating a settlement. The wharfingers will unload on wharves from midstream, and boycott the docks. Three thousand Belgians have offered their services at 4|d an honr, Barns telegraphed to the Belgian labor leaders to stop coal carters from coming, and was successful in inducing them to do so. Some of the strikers are determined that Belgians shall not be employed to the exclusion of British subjects. Seventy thousand carcases of Australian mutton have been unloaded, The Glasgow dock laborers are demanding an advance of £3 per boor. The stevedores have published a manifesto in which they say that they do not complain themselves, but sympathise with the dock men. Thousands similarly situated are striking daily, and riverside factories and warehouses are confined to unskilled labor. Men who do not belong to the union are totally without means, and frightful privation has been caused by this labor crisis. The payments from the strike funds average' £IOOO per day. There are 100,000 married men on strike, and their allowance is limited to Is 6J worth of food daily each family. The pickets gat 2s per day. Thousands of women and children besiege the fond depots, where the scenes are perfectly harrowing. The committee beg that the strike may be confined to riverside laborers, otherwise they fear that the movement will collate from own inkwejjjj