MARITIME STRIKE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 2830, 2 September 1890, Page 2

MARITIME STRIKE.

COOKS ANI) STEW All DS | CALLED OUT. j MOEE CREWS ON STRIKE. RISE IN BREAD. STRIKE OF MINERS AT kawakawa. RIOTINtt IN DUNEDIN. DEMONSTRATION IN AUCKLAND. NORTHERN COMPANY AFFECTED. (BY TELtUKAt'H.—PRESS ASSOCIATION). Timahu, List Night. Thb formal cause of the wharf hands going out is that trucks were loaded by nonUnionists. At lp.m. the chief clerk, wharf clerk and crane driver got in the trucks, and tho crew ashore began stowing oats. Two shunters were then sent down, but it is expected they will be called out. The crowd on tho wharf chaffed tho clerks. In consequence of the resolution of employers on Saturday, pledging a refusal of the Wharf Union rules, the wharf labourers' secretary went round this morning and asked tlio employers to withdraw from that position, but they declined, and a special meeting of the local branch was held, when it was decided to call the members otr the wharf, and from the stores of those employers. At noon there was only one vessel in, the haiqne Ishmoro, half loaded with grain. The men knocked off at noon.

Invkiicarcii.l, Last Night. Tho Manapouri's crew leave at Dnnedin. CHHisTOiiL'ituH, Last Nijjht. On Saturday notice was given to the operatives in the Woollen mills that the works would close on account of the shortness of the coal supply. "Free" men are loai'ling the Tekapo. Permanent platelayers are setting 10s per day, receiving cargo in trucks. The Wakatipu is worked by free labour. The Colac seamen came out yesterday when free labour was put on board. Tho lvaikoura is being worked by Union men, permission having been wired from the Maritime Council. The cooks and stewards of all the Union Company's steamships are comiug out at 10.30 a.m. to-morrow. The chief stewards are not included. It is stated that the wives of several of the "free'" labourers offer to cook while the steamers are in port. Steam winches on several sailing ships have been tampered with last night, but no sei iuus damage was done. The labour parly disavow this. A meeting of officers of the Kaikoura, Duke of Westminster, and Wairoa, decided to work the cargo if necessary, but tho Wairoa ollicers refused to work on any other than their own ship. Mr Stead, addressing the men at Lyttelton said they were misdirected by their leaders. The men called out, " It's a lie, we are not." Mr Stead offered !ls (id a day to each married man guttering by the strike, but tho offer was received with laughter. At a quarter past four this afternoon, the Railway Executive called out all the railway men who were working in tho trucks at Lyttlcton. This is in consequence of the plate-layers, clerks, etc.. having been taken from their own work and put into tho trucks. A fesv members of the Amateur Atlieletic Club arc assisting to load coal on the Wakatipu. The labour people have been instructed from Dunediu to work the Jubilee at all hazards. Business is at a standstill in Lyttletoii and several factories in Christchurcl: are working half-time or have given tho hands a week's notice. Ghkvmoltii, Last Night. When tho Moa arrived last night with cattle, two wharf hands were put on, to assist the crew to land the cattle, but wore immediately called out. Tho Brwnnerton miners will not get coal for the Moa. Bread has risen per -lib loaf to 7d cash in consequenco of the rise in flour. Wkstpokt, Last Night. Kverything is quiet to-day, there being no change. The Mahinapua is still lying in port and waiting instructions from Duuedin. The crew will net do a hand's turn. Sixty-one out of seventy-ono district railway employees havo been suspended, this moans the withdrawal of two hunUied pounds weekly from circulation, besides £1200 per week from Dennistou. Auckland. Last Night. Owing to strikes the suspension of factories is extending all over tho colony. The I'ukaki was coaled by Maoris at Russell and sailed for Fiji, consequently tho miners at Kawakawa. have struck. All the crew of the steamer Australia left the ship to-day and volunfoers and u party from tho Working Mens' Club are discharging the vessel. The Tanpiri miners are throating strike if the Company supply the Union Company's steamers with coal. The Carters' Unions refuse to deliver any goods from the Union Company's steamers. The master carters hero have resolved that if the Unionist attitude is maintained to replace the Union men in their employ with " free" labour. The strikers paraded Queen-street with banners. Tho demonstration was peacable. The gas supply will last for five or six weeks at the least, probably longer. Bread is up a half-penny per loaf. The ollicers of the Australia have not yet struck. So far the cargo of the Australia is lying on the wharf uncarted. The Harbour Board workmen are barricading Queen-street YVharf and Quaystreet Wharf in anticipation of a disturbance. The Wairarapa is expected from the south to-morrow. The Northern Steamship Company is affected by the strike. W ki.i.incton, Last Night. Tho subject of tho strikes was raised in tho House yesterday afternoon by Mr Fish. Several members accused the Government of calling out tho military needlessly, and acting adverse to tho strikers. The Minister of J nsticc in reply declared that while strict impartiality would bo observed it was the absolute duty of the Government to see labour protected, nnd when winches anil donkey engines had been destroyod and rioting occurred, it was the duty of the Government of a freo country to maintain order.

Everything about the wharf to-day is very quiet, and the conduct of those on strike is most exemplary. Fresh complications havo arisen, owing to the Harbour Board engaging free labour. The Seamen's Union has declined to permit crews of coastal steamers outside of the Union Company, to assist in landing cargo if it is to be handled by free labour, and if freo labour is engaged to discharge vessels tho union will call out the crews. The carters have also been instructed not to remove cargo discharged by free labour. In some instances to-day, consignees removed their own goods in private carts. This action will practically block tho coastil trade. Tho lJoric is almost reidy to sail lor Lyttelton, and it is not likely she will be affected.

The New Zealand Shipping Company's barque, Windsbrant, requires only l. r >o bales to complete lier loading for London. These arrived by the (Jueen of the South, but the Union this morning refused to land them. Later in the day, however, they were discharged, and Captain Kose. the local agent of tho Company, is confident he will get thorn 011 board, even if he has to do so with his own hands. Tho Union Company discharged tho steamers ICanieri, Wailii and Wanaka today with non-union men. and in the afternoon tho former sailed for Blenheim. In order to prevent tho Union running over the " free" laborers tho Union Company this evening sent them on board the Takapuna, which is anchored in tho harbor. The TaUapuna will be discharged tomorrow, and the Company expect to get the Wanaka away during the day and possibly the i'enguin. Later. A meeting of merchants was held this after to discuss the difficulty, but they decided to givo no information to the press. The Typographical Society approached tho local newspaper proprietors, urging them not to publish the advertisements of the Union Company. The society moot again this evening, when the question will be further discussed. Want of coal is being soveroly felt, ancl

several factories in and around Wellington have had to either suspend operations or reduce the time of working; some, however, are carrying on by means of wood. Business generally is depressed, and several large firms have given their employees a week's notice. With respect to the difficulty with the railway hands at Westport, the Railway Commissioners explain that 110 duties have been asked or done other than those ordinarily performed by the railway. The railway service consists in taking coal trucks alongside the ships at the wharf, mid emptying them by opening tho hopper doors in the bottom of the truck, and in adjusting the shoots which form part of the railway wharf. Tho Commissioners have given orders to their officers to be careful to adhere strictly to the ordinary duties devolving upon them, and not to undertake anything beyond the usual railway practice, Mr McLean states that the Takapuna will be laid up here immediately, and the crew transferred to another vessel, (lossibly the Pengium. There are now ten union steamors here, nine of which are affected by the strike. The Rotokino, although not affected by the strike, is still out in the stream. "Free" labourers are still working the Waihi and Kanieri and the latter leaves for Blenheim at 2 p.m. The cargo in the rest of the Union boats is not being touched, things 011 the wharf aro very quiet. 1 The barque, Clifton, armed from Newcastle last night with a large cargo of coal.

The local Typograical Society approved of the action of the Maritime Council, and a weekly levy of 2s fid per member has been made in aid of the strikers. At a meeting of the Society on Saturday night £20 was collected.

Raven Wheeler states that the Company have not taken legal advice on the action of the crews of the Wanaka and Penguin leaving the vessels without notice.

No vessels will be Allowed to leave port in future without being inspected by the Customs Department. In several of the city churches yesterday reference was made to the struggle now going on, and at St. Paul's Cathedral Canon Howell expressed his opinion that the labour leaders had over-stepped the mirk, and advised the Ministry to come forward and causa those loadeis to retrace their steps like a wise and honest man, who, in such a case, would acknowledge his mistake and rectify it. The Waihi and Manawatu were brought alongside the wharf this morning, but the Takapuna and Rotokino are still in the stream. The Waihi had about 20 free lahourers on board, and they will discharge that vessel and the Kanieri. Both have large cargoes of produce fron. Blenheim. Crowds arc on the wharf, but the portion where the Waihi and Kanieri are tying is barricaded off. These are the only two of the company's vessels being unloaded at present. A deputation of Unionists waited on Sir H. Atkins >11 this afternoon, urging the Government to meditato in the present difficulty. Among the speakers were Capt. Highman Messrs 1). P. Fisher, Myers and Seymour. The Premier replied that for the present the Government were content to niaitil lin law and order, but when the time arrived to consider tlfe question of mediating, they would take action. Latest. A large meeting of railway servants this evening passed a unanimous vote of thanks to those M.H.I!, who upheld the Labour cause, particularly Messrs Fisher, Fish, and Seddon. The meeting declined any information re the ballot of the cooks and stewards, excepting that the chief stewards leave the Union Company's vessels at noon to-morrow. At a meeting of the Typographical Society this evening, it was decided to take no action whatever in connection with the Union Company's advertisements. Dukkijis, Last Night. Donald Reid's ordinnry hands having refused to convey produce to the Te Anau, he sent for his hands from the country. These attempted this morning to take produce to the wharf, but after loading up, their drays were set on by the crowd, who emptied the contents of the carts into the streets. They then threw stones cutting and slightly injuring three persons. The riot was occasioned by a few young men and the Unionists disclaim any responsibility. The Secretary of the Maritime Council injoins Unionists to maintain order and support the authorities. There is much excitement in the neighbourhood. On Saturday two head lines were wilfully cut.

T'iie Maritime Council liavo called out the draymen and storemen. The Mayor intimated that if the disturbance is repented ho would read the Riot Act. Ho held a crowded meeting of Justices and citizens, and tw.i hundred citizens were sworn in as special constables. Mr Millar brought fifty men from the Seainens' Union, and they were also sworn in, and fifty men are promised by the Wharf Labourers' Union. It is anticipated the loading of the Te Anau with grain will now proceed quietly. The reported Dunedin Railway ballot is returnable on Wednesday. This will determine future action.