LABOR QUESTIONS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2158, 3 February 1891, Page 1

LABOR QUESTIONS.

London, Jan. 29

Fi zgerald the Australian labor delegate, has succeeded in getting an interview with Mr Gladstone. The latter disagreed with the supposition that legislation is capable of settling disputes between capital and labor. He preferred judicious combination, Mr Gladstone empowered Fitzgerald to convey his greeting to tbe Labor Societies of Australia.

The Dock Companies are jointly seeking to impose exorbitant charges for discharging ships from February Ist. The shipowners are up in arms against the proposal. Mr Champion, in an article in the Nineteenth Century, compares the Australian Unions to an army of lions led by asses. The result was a crushing defeat, which has set back the intercolonial federation of labor ten years. Employers are now welded in a solid irresistible force. The Fall Mall Gazslte states that a conference of delegates, representing a million man connected with shipping, bis resolved to immediately take steps to paralyse the trade until the shipowners’ federation has ceased to make use of free labor agencies, Jan. 30. The North British Railway Company has promised to reinstate the men when vacancies occur, and agrees to discuss grievances with them and withdraw the actions for damages, The strikers are willing to accept these terms. The Company has lost eighty thousand by the strike.

The Press favorably criticise Mr Fitzgerald's behaviour. Jan. SI. The statement that the conference of labour delegates had resolved to take immediate steps to paralyse the shipping trade until the Shipowners' Federation abolished free labor agencies is denied. The Caledonian Railway Company have offered the strikers the same terms as the Korlh British Company, The men have agreed to accept them. Washington, Jan. 30. The McKinley tariff has lowered wages and it is expected that tha labor Unions will raise a protest, Stdnby, Jan. 30. The Trades Hall is investigating oases of alleged sweating in the woollen trade, Brisbane, Jan. SO. Large bodies of shearers are coming to Queensland from Victoria and New South Wales under the auspices of the Pastoralists’ Union, The latter body has agreed to a conference with the Shearers’ Union, on the condition that the principle of freedom of contract is conceded.