The Lumpers’ Strike.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 461, 31 May 1890, Page 3

The Lumpers’ Strike.

[to the editor.] Sir,—A copy of yoar paper came to me by post this morning, in which I see a long report of the so-caiied Wharf Laborers’ Strike. In the interest of the Union at large, I cannot leave certain statements pass unchallenged. Commencing with your reporter interviewing the President, Mr can bear out that the statement made by That gentleman is true to ihe letter. As to what passed between Mr Evans, Mr Greame, and himself, I feel satisfied from what I have seen and heard that this part of his report is also correct.

Passing on to what Mr Dougherty assert?, all I can say is that he is mistaken when he states that the Union rates are Is 6d between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. and 2s 6d overtime. Once for all I would wish the public to perfectly understand that the rates claimed by the Union all over New Zealand are Is 3d and 2s. Now, sir, taking into account ihat the latter rates are paid in every other port but Gisborne for Sundays and holidays—no overtime being charged there for Sundays. The executive taking into consideration the necessity of the Union Company working their intercolonial steamers there on that day, requested by myself and Mr Greame, made that concession in fivor of Messrs Kennedy and Evans. Now supposing that that firm employed 10 men a day for a whole week and paid them Is 3d an hour instead of la, any of your readers can tell how much the Union Company would have to raise their freight to meet the demand. The increase would amount to £6 per week, and taking 50 tons cargo per week to be lightered at Gisborne, and that it took ten men a whole week to lighter it, the Union Company would have to raise their freight 2s 5d a ton. However, it only takes two days to land this amount of cargo, there fore the increase of wages only amounts to £2, thus the Union Company would have to raise the freight 9d a ton, a thing they will never think of doing. For the information of both the public and Mr Dougherty I may state that the executive officers of the Union which I have the honor to represent, interviewed Mr Dougherty’s head office officials on the question at issue, and those gentlemen thought the demands of the Union very reasonable. And considering that his Com pany pay Is 6d and 2s 6d without being asked to do so proves that the Company are satisfied. As to Mr Greame being too precipitate, all I can saw is that Messrs Kennedy and Evans have bad plenty of time to consider, and Mr Greame is simply carrying out his instructions. I in conclusion would wish to point out that the above named firm are not the only employers of labor in Gisborne. The letter they say they received was written by myself in Dunedin, approved of by the delegates who constitute the Executive Council, signed by the Executive Secretary, and posted in tha usual manner. If Mr Evans would hand you that letter for publication it would throw a lot more light on the Wharf Laborers’ strike at Gisborne.—l am eta., B, B. Creagh, Secretary. Port Ahuriri, May 27th, 1890.