LABOR DISPUTES.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2083, 9 August 1890, Page 2

LABOR DISPUTES.

London, August 7. A strike in South Wales has begun. Sydney, August 7.

The pastoralists, shipowners, and stevedores are'agreeing that union and nonunion wool be shipped without discontinuation, aod in the event of an attempt to block non-union shorn wool, it is probable that there will be a general lock-out by the ship owners and coal mine owners.

Wellington, August 7,

It was reported that , this week those on piece-work at fetone workshops had earned wages, but did not expect to make more than 15s for the next few weeks.

The Railway -Commissioners consider that the term “civil commotion” in the waybills only applies to civd disturbances. They have not a'fered their position at present, and unless the letter expected from the Maritime Council to-morrow puts a new complexion on matters, they are determined to suspend men who refuse to work. Chrixohurch, August 7. At an enthusiastic meeting held to-night, to discuss the present dispute between the Typographical Association aad Mesers Whitcombe and Tombs, there were over three thousand present, and hundreds were unable to get in. The chair was occupied by Mr Parker, President of the Trades and Labor Council, and the following resolutions were carried orianimous'y, being spoken to by members of the Maritime Council, the Trades and Labor Council, the Railway Union, the Boilermakers’ Union, and Shop Assistants’ Union. The meeting was veiy orderly, and the speeches moderate in tone : (1) “ That this meeting recognises the present struggle as an evidence of Hie apparent combination of capital to crush the labor organisations of the colony, and urges that no compromise be accepted which fails to acknowledge the equal rights of the two interests.”

“ (2) That this meeting expresses its indignation at the unworthy tactics adopted by Messrs Whitcombe and Tombs in dea : - iog with labor interests, and pledges itself to resist sweating in whatever form it may be practiced, wether by the firm in question or others.”

“(3) That this meeting heartily approves of and endorses the action of the Maritime Council in dealing with the present struggle, and pledges itself to follow the council in any further steps it m*y take, supporting it to the fullest extent morally and financially.” “(4) That this meeting affirms the necessity of a complete unity of «ll classes of labour in the colony under one executive us suggested by the Maritime Council, also that a general defence fund for the whole colony be established in connection therewith”

“That this meeting endorses the necessity for the labor Bills now before Parliament, and calls opon the members in Parliament assembled to vote in tbeir favour.”

The local branch of the Knights of Labour have decided to support the Maritime Council in the Wbitcombe and Tombs dispute. At a meeting of the local branch of the Railway Servants’ Society this evening, it was decided to follow any orders issued by the executive, A suggestion that the North Island employees should not be asked to go out on strike in oeder that they might be'p to support the southerners was not well received.

At a meeting of unionists this evening the difficulty with Messrs Wbitcombe and Tombs wbs discussed. About eighty were present. Mr J. Qrahame, president of the Federated Trades’ Union, presided and briefly out|ined the in dispute, and explained thajt all offers to re£ar diem to arbitration had been refused by the firm. The following resolutions were carried unanimously:—

£Tbe resolutions were the same as those passed by the Christchurch meeting.] Dunedin, August 7. : The move on the part of Messrs Whitcombc and Tombs to open a business in Dunedin h»s been met by the booksellers here with a corresponding more, and a company is to be formed to start as booksellers and stationers in Christchurch as soon as the firm open in Dunedin; With reference to the tost case of goods which Meisrs Whit combo and Tombs are to. send, of course no attempt will be made to stop it on the railway*; ai the mem* hers of the Bail way Servants’ Union bare not yet received instructions not to handle tha goods of the firm, nor wiirthey until a reply is received to the altimatnm. te submit to arbitration. The.following ultimatum has.been sent to Messrs Wbitcombe and Tombs by the Mari* time Council“ August 7th.; Messrs Whit* combe and Tombs, Christchurch. The council instruct me to offer arbitration for the second time upon the same terms its formerly. Should you decline all responsibility of fatufe i rouble rests with you, as the council* are prepared to uphold the rights of labor et all hazards.— J. A. MILLAB.”

THE MARITIME COUNCIL. ;

The Maritime Council is composed of delegates from the Federated Seamen’s Union.of New Zealand; the Amalgamated Miners’ md Laborers’ Association of New Zealand, and the Federated Wharf Laborers’ Union of Now Zetland; Since the last half-yearly meeting of the council four other bodies—the Railway Servant* Association, the Cooks and Stewards* Union, the Msrcan i e Marine Officers' Association, and the Wharf Carters’ Union —-have applied to be affiliated. The respective strength of these bodies are as follows; [Federated Seamen’s Onion, 2000 ; Amalgamated Miners and/Laborer* Association, 3600; Laborers, 3500; Railway Servants, 420®; Cooks sod Stewards, 700 ; Mercantile, Officers, 350;, Wharf Carters, 1600 -total, 16,050. ‘