AUSTRALIAN STRIKES

Waikato Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 2842, 30 September 1890, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN STRIKES

SHEARERS TO BE PROSECUTED. ENQUIRIES FOR SIILv\RERS IN NKWZK.VLAXD. EXPLANATION BY COL. PRICE. LABOURERS RETURNING- TO WORK. (IIY ELECTRIC TKLKCKAI'II -UOI'YUKJIIT.) Sydnky, S. ptouibor 28. At a meeting of those on strike, and sympathisers to day. the action of the employers was condemned in not accepting the offer of the labour p:irty. to refer the whole matter to a conference. September 29. Some dismay has been occasioned among the shearers, who are free selectors by the discovery that their holdings are liable to be distrained upon. It is anticipated fiat the pastoralists will sue the shearers for damages on the ground of their refusal to work as a breach of agreement.

Colonel Price has esplaimed that his order to the men to fire low if necessity arese, merely meant that they were to endeavour to disable, and not to kill. The commandant censured him. BuisiUNH, September 28. The result of the telegraphed negotiations between the Employers' Unions of the different colonies, is that they have agreed to hold a panAustralian conference with the labour unions on the basis oi freedom of contract, retention of free labour, and non-affiliation of the Marine Officers Association with labour. The railway hands have, by a large majority, declined to affiliate with the labour party. Mklbouuxe, September 27. There are indications that the working classes are beginning to feel the effect of the strike, as there have been large withdrawals from the Siving Banks. The miners at Broken Hill silver mines have taken a ballot as to whether they should agree to the clause in the toims of settlement recently drawn up, which provides for working the pumps to keep the mines in order during the continuance of a strike. The ballot was against this being done, ani owing to this decision a settlement of the difficulty is locally regarded as being as far off as ever.

The Government arc holding inquiries into charges brought against Lieutenant-Colonel Pnoe, Uio ofticiT commanding the Mounted Hide Volunteers and KiHo Clubs for instructing his men, if the necessity arose, to fire low. The labour party are incensed at Colonel Price's instructions. Enquiries hiving feeju made as to whether any shearers are available from New Zealand has elicited the reply that there is any number of free labourers offering.