LABOR QUESTIONS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2161, 10 February 1891, Page 3

LABOR QUESTIONS.

London, February 6. A general strike has taken place at Cardiff, and has paralysed trade. The dockers at Bute intend to prosecute the coal heavers for alleged breach of contract.

The shipowners in Cardiff declare that they will lay up their vessels for twelve months rather than surrender their freedom in the selection of crews. The Joint Dock Committee have abandoned the discharge of shipping, and have left the shipowners to fight the dockers themselves. In order to prevent a block, it will be necessary to organise a loading and unloading staff. Two thousand men will be required for ordinary needs. February 8. The Pall Mall Gazette commends the action taken by Mr A. H, Champion, the English labor advocate, during the recent strike in the colonies, and declares that it credits the statements made by him regarding it. It is improbable that an appeal will be made against the decision of Judge North, who ruled that the dock committee had a right to cempel the shipowners to discharge their own vessels. The latter will now make arrangements with the committee for the discharge of vessels en the best terms possible. The Peninsular Company have already begun negotiations with the dock committee.

Three thousand coalheavera are idle at Cardiff, and they have asked the railway men to boycott goods carried for the Shipping Federation. Two thousand dock laborers have offered help to the Shipping Federation in loading and discharging vessels. In consequence of the labor difficulty the South Wales collieries have stopped work. Dunedin, February 6.

The Trades and Labor Council have passed resolutions protesting against the attempt to enforce the use of Whitcombe and Tombs’ books in the public schools, and requesting the Minister of Education to consider the desirability of the Government publishing a uniform set of school books for the colony.