LABOR DISPUTES.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2117, 28 October 1890, Page 3

LABOR DISPUTES.

London, Oct. 23.

Ti.e Sunderland, brunch of the Shipping Federation b*s uuder consideration a proposal to lay up all vessels under the control of that branch.

The Trades Council has nude a unanimous appeal to all trades in the United Kingdom to assist io providing the lo«n of £20,000 required for the Australian strikers, sod profess that they are confident of success. Mr Bums uges the prompt subscribing of ;he amount. He h s gone to Plymouth to meet Mr J. D. Fi'Egera'd, the labor delegate from Sydney, who visita England to explain the position of affairs ii Australia. His explanation will be made at a specially convened meeting of representatives from the London trades. Mr J. D. Fitzgerald his arrived.

October 24

Mr Gladstone declines to express an opinion on the question of the eight hours billun i' helms had aoopportnoiyofpsrusing it, but he implies that he approves of eight hours so far as miners are concerned. He considers it a mistake for the labor party to have frequent recourse to Parliament for redress of their grievances.

A number of Irish nayvies, who had been engaged for Australia, refused to start, and returned to Dublin p«nnilef=s. October 25.

Tbe decision of the dock companies 'o abolish labor gangers is likely to provoke serious trouble. The dockers are sullen, dogged, and demoralised, and refuse to fulfil the agreements arranged by their leaders. Tn?y openly declare that they will work when it pleases them, and th.t they will prevent ethers working. Mr Wi'soo, secretary of the Sailor*' Union, fearing defections, advises that action be taken to precipitate a struggle, Two Atlan'ic Liverpool lines of steamers have been laid up, affecting 60,000 tons of shipping. The Clyde Shippers' Association decline to discuss the wholesale laying up of vessels. The Dock Committee offer free labor fair wageß with pensions, and will engage laborers without the intervention of middlemen. They propose the renewal of piece-work at Albert and Victoria Docks.

Sydney, Oct. 24,

In addition to the damage done to the line of railway leading to the Bullambi colliery, » large number of trucks were set fre« on the steep tramway incline, and owing to the points being wedged the tin ks were thrown over the embankment and completely demolished. The Liihgow miuers are dissatisfied at the position of affairs, and will resume work on Monday. A number of officers have forwarded to the Tress copies of letters written to the steamship owner*, in which they ask to be reinstated to th«ir former positions, having seeD the folly of their action in going out on strike. The Labor Defence Committee admit the defection of the "officers from their ranks.

A deputation opart from the leaders, but representing s powerful section of the wh"»rf labore-s, waited to-day on the VicePresident of the Employers' Association to ascertain definitely on what terms they would be allowed to return to work in tbe event of their wishing to do so apart from the leaders. A reply was given that freedom of contract would be strict y adhered to. The question was considered by the Wharf Laborers' Association, when it nas resolved not to accept freedom of contract, bat it is understood, however, that a Urge section of the men will apply for reinstatement on Monday. A similar move to ibis on a modified scale is on foot amongst tbe seamen.

Cardinal Morin has written to the leaders asking them 'o suspend the strike, in order to ufford an opportunity of legislating in the matter. October 25. \nother noeucces*ful attempt has been made to wreok trucks at the Bulii coal mine. Ootober 26. A number of unionists have returned to woik during the pa«t few days, aod in some of the western colleries it has benn arranged that the unionists shall work in the day-fcirne uad the free laborers by uigbt. Newcastle, Oct. 26. At a meetiog of the delegates of the northern miners it was resolved to resume woik at once, but the final decision was reserved for a ballot of the miners, the result of which will probably be known tomorrow night. Adelaide, Oct, 24. The Marine Engineers havs decided to take no further action in respect to their refusal to sail with non-unionists unless the employers granted a conference. NEW ZEALAND. Auckland, Oct. 27. The Auckland Typographical Society have decided to discontinue their levy of i 2s 6d per week towards the strike funds.

Wellitgton, Oct. 26,

At a meeting of the Typographical Society at Wellington on Saturday night the resolution passed on the previous Saturday evening, that no more assistance be given to the strike fund, was confirmed by 52 to 35.

The local unions outside of the Seamen's and Wharf Laborers' Unions, have up to the present contributed £374 2j to the strike fund.

The two loeal evening papers have decided not to publish ou Demonstration Day, and tbe morning paper not on the morning of the 29*b. The Government offices throughout the colony will be closed aa per notification in tbe Gazette of the 16'b instant, except (be telegraph and poafc offices. Oct. 27. A free laborer named William Williams broke both ankles while working cargo at the Queen'a wharf on Saturday. A number of the labor party on strike have applied to the Government to be allowed to take up land on special settlement conditions. Gkbtmouth, Oct. 24. The directors of the Grey Valley Coal Company did not fall in with Mr Kennedy's arrangement to wait ti 1 the men were consulted. The following telegram was received from Dunedia this afternoon :—" The directors had under consideration your telegram to engaging men, but cannot see their way to agree to it. Have 119 men engaged, and will continue io en'gige men until the mine is fully manned. In tbe meantime Bishop I may at h\a own diecrstion eogqge any of

the fi>i ui> r eaiploj«3 offering on the comp*ny'« t-rinc, only us advised of the Dumber so that we may not over-»ng«ge." When Kennedy went to sho the men tcd«y they b<gan laying down condin'ons, when he wash-d hiH handß of the whole affiir. Eighteen wharf laborers made a wMt'en offer to do ail tbe lumping required, but it ie not likely the proposal will b accepted, bntil the ver} last moment the strikers'would not admit they were be>ueo. Many will nor admit iteven now, maintaining tha» free labor must be tot) expensive and will ultimate'y break down. October 26.

Theßrunnerton miners, after discussing the Blotter, offered tc go bsok on the same terms as bxisted when they went out. This Mr Kennedy informed them oould not be as there were now only vacancies for eighty men, and they must work with the free laborers. The miners decline to work with free laborers, and it is said there is a very bitter feeiing against the executive. The miners still seem determined io hold out unless all are permitted to go back together. Oct. 27.

Of eighty circulars sent to coal miners requesting them to fill up a form of application, sign and send it in, and stating th«y would have places given them, the majority handed the circulars to the executive without signing them or filling in. A few filled in the applications ami sent them in without refereuce to the executive. The method of voting in such cases by miners is open instead of the ballot.

Seven union wharf lumpers asked for work to-day, and are now discharging the Brunner with free labor men. Other unionists apparently do not intend to apply. The majority of the eoA miner* believe the couapany will soon get tired of free laborers in the coal mines, and they will try to hold out till then, when the company will be glad to get them back again. Dunedin, Oct. 27. Neither of tbe evening papers publish to-morrow.

Westfort, Oct. 24,

Matters at Denuistoo reruaia quiet. Messrs Lomas, Ansell and Newton, coal mioers' delegates, now at Denniston, requested Mr Waters, engineer to the Westpo;t Joal Company, to receive a deputation. Mr Waters refused, and the directors of the company endorsed the refusal. An application of the delegates to enter the mine was also refused. Uamaru, Oct. 26.

For some time past there has been a gocd deal of feeling displayed amongst the members of the Shearers' and Laborers' Union. This also made itself manifest amonest the members of the committee, the chairman and the secretary resigoing in consequence. Last night the former secretary (Mr J. Boreham) was reelected, and Mr A. J. Adams was elected chairman. After tbe election the committee resigned, and a fresh one was elected. Several members also handed in their resignations, and a large number left the meeting before the business was concluded.