THE GREAT STRIKE.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume IV, Issue 503, 6 September 1890, Page 3

THE GREAT STRIKE.

NO MATERIAL CHANGE. STRIKERS EXPECT BIG SUPPORT FROM LONDON. WINNING OVER NON-UNIONISTS LONDON. September 3. At the Trade Congress at Liverpool, Mr Bums announced he had received a telegram from Melbourne stating that the dispute there had become a general lock out, and that money was urgently needed. The London Dockers will send subscription boxes to be placed outside the churches where special sermons will be delivered, and they will also make collections where possible. Boxes are to be placed in the streets, and in public houses. Ten thousand bills, appealing for assistance, have been posted throughout the metro polis. Workmen’s political, friendly, and temperance societies throughout the United Kingdom, will hold meetings in all the large towns to raise subscriptions. The Union leaders in America, and the Bourse de Travel of Paris have been invited to assist Australia. The Labor Council of the port of London appeals to all trades to assist the Australian strikers.

SYDNEY. September 4. A great number of non-Umon laborers did not appear at their work to-day, owing, it is alleged, to fear of maltreatment. During the last few days a large number of revolvers have been sold, and one firm alone state they have disposed of 700. Large forces of mounted infantry and troopers are massing in the city, from the country districts, to reinforce the local men in maintaining order. Another huge demonstration by those on strike will take place on Saturday, when it is estimated that fully lt,ooo will parade the principal streets. The greatest difficulty is experienced by ahlp owners in getting or keeping crews for their steamers. The Union-Company engaged a number of seamen, but found one or two Unionists amongst them, who succeeded in inducing the others to clear out. Two of those taking part in last night's disturbance have been sentenced to seven days’ imprisonment, and another to imprisonment for three months. The Australasian Society of Marine Engineers Is holding a conference with representatives from the steamshipowners on matters appertaining to Marine Engineering. The questions discussed Include the adoption of eight hours’ principle, more improved sleeping accommodation for engineers, number of engineers carried on steamers to be regulated by the nominal horse-power of the ship, and the minimum of wages fixed as follows! —Chief engineer, £25 per month ; 2nd, £lB ; 3rd, Zl4 ; 4th, £l2. It is also, proposed that engineers shall report direct to employers, and have equal powers with captains inlthat respect, and that no report from the fatter affecting engineers shall be adopted unless those interested be allowed the right to reply. The conference, which is no way connected with the present Maritime Council, is thoroughly representative •f all the colonies. ADELAIDE.

September 4, The Maritime Council submitted the scheme drawn up by it for the establishment of a Board of Conciliation to the Shipowners. It was proposed that all parties interested should be evenly represented, and that disputes should be settled by arbitrators. The shipowners decline, however, to entertain the •cheme. The Gas Company announce they will be compelled to reduce the supply after September joth,

AUCKLAND.

Last night. Proceedlogs are quiet on the wharves, which are kept clear by barricades erected by the police officers. The crews of the Northern Steamship Company’s vessels were-called out todaykoaose the Clansman conveyed five free laborers to the Pukaki at Russell, and the Wellington brought nonunion labor from Whangarei. This means the suspension of the Tauranga, Opotiki, Mercury Bay, Thames, and other services, A crew have been engaged for the Wellington, and she leaves for Whangsrei to night. The, Trades and Labor Council are endeavoring to make arrangements for a supply of coal for household purposes, but should any of the coal be supplied to the Union Company the supply will be at once A demonstration tomorrow afternoon of trade unionists and their sympathisers will be one of the largest gatherings ever seen in Auckland. It is expected that fully 3000 men will be in procession. In the event of coastal communication by any of the boycotted steamship lines being ent off, the Maritime Council are prepared to charter steamers and keep up a food Supply to oommunities where the local Supplies of staples are getting low. The Steamer Queen, st Wellington, is mentioned as a vessel to be sent up to Auckland with a load of produce should the need arise. In the local produce market all staples have risen to high prices, and merchants and dealers ars unable to give any definite Sotatlons in the face of the fact that they ve vary short stocks. Mill quotations for flour are £l4 and 414 10s, a large increase on the price a week ago. Oatmeal is quoted at 410, and potatoes have increased in" value to £7 and €7 10s per tan. They are very jhortof Southern grainln tqwn. NAMES.

. I<*et night. A meeting of employers of labor, convened by the Chamber of Commeroe. was held yesterday afternoon at the Athenaum. There was a large attendance, notwithstanding the pouring rain. Mr W. Nelson, of Tomoana, ooeupied the chpir, apd spoke at ponriderable length oh the present position of affairs, urging the necessity of united action In endeavoring to bring about a better condition of things. The other speakers were Menus 8. McLean, J. W. Neal, J. H. Coleman, F. Fulton, J. McVay, Wenley, Dobson, and Beatsen. Resolutions were passed, expressing the necessity of forming an aasociation of employers, owners of property," workers, and others interested in the proper regulation of labor and the protection of property »nd pompiercial interests; that all employers, owners of property and laborers should at ones join ths Aasceiaiion, and all interested in commercial, pastoral, and agricultural Interests in the colony, be invited to give substantial rapport to such an association; ? • F*> r |ters< whether members of Unioas or not, be invited tn join association. A resolution was also passed expressing sympathy with the Vnion Company and others who bad been subjected to interference by the Maritime Council. A a^>?L Ot re4(i &mu *Jl’V’t’ of JP/MW »hd Workman of Bawke's Bay. The meeting was ebsracterised by great earncatnrrs and unanimity and moderation of lbs ton; of tbe speeches. The following are •fnong the purposes of the Association i— Brtablirhiag a Board of conciliation, Establishing a bnd tar the protection of 40 4 *ident fund for the benefit of workers, eO ch funds to be provided by employers only. The entrance fee for employers was fixed at Al, and subscription £2. Workers are ®°t to-P 4 ? either entrance fee or subscrip, tion. Sttty-flve members were enrolled at pace, and signatures have been given to tuaraatas a fund of over £O,OOO.

WELLINGTON. Last night. The Jubilee arrived at noon, from South. She will not take much cargo from here, having no room. It is stated that the owners intend putting another steamer on the line. Otters of help in produce and teams are being received from country settlers. The Union Company have received a wire from Blenheim stating that the sea is so heavy in the straits that they are still keeping the Wanaka. The Bailway Commissioners are giving permanent employment to the free laborers taken on.

Messrs Cotterill and Co., carriers, have received a letter from the Harbor Board solicitors, stating that unless they continue the contract for carting goods on behalf of the Harbor Board a writ claiming damages for each breach of the contract would be issued. MrCotteiill had a lengthened interview with Mr Fisher, representative of the Maritime Council, and urged that the boycott should be removed to the extent of allowing the firm to continue their contract, but Mr Fibber did not see his way to recommend the Council to comply with the request. Cotterill and Co. say they will hold the Maritime Council responsible for any damages in which they may be cast for the action of the latter in withdrawing the men.

At a large meeting of butchers last evening it was decided, by 136 to 30, to adhere to the rule which provides for dis putes being submitted to arbitration. By thia decision- the question of the Gear Company supplying the Union Company steamers with meat must be arbitrated

upon. The weather yesterday was very boisterous. Consequently shipping was at a standstill, and the wharves bore a deserted appear* ance.

The Union Company have offered free passages to officers desirous of attending the meeting of the Masters’ Association here on Saturday.

Some of the officers resented the appearance of a notification on the Evening Post bulletin board, that they were going back to the Union Company, and tore the placard town. It was eventually replaced, afer an interview with the proprietors, with the additional statement that Captain Highman denied its correctness.

lhe Shipwrights’ Union have decided to do no work tor the Union Company during the present difficulty.

Leary and Campany’semployeee voluntarily ask to be placed on half pay. The Knights of Labor passed a resolution sympathising with the strikers, and censuring the Union Company for joining the Ship Owners' Association, and also the men who have not obeyed the Union calls, and advocating arbitration.

It is said the railway hands have voted in favor of a strike by 183 to 30, but the figures are not supplied. The Manawaiu Company’s men are also in favor of a strike, by a large majority. A silly thing has been done here by the wharf laborers, who demanded that the local papers should suppress the Union Company’s advertisements. Curt refusals and stinging comments have been the outcome. LYTTELTON.

Last night. The Union Company point to the faot that the Tekapo has just discharged 500 tons of coal at Lytielton, and loaded 2000 of cargo, making the fifth steamer loaded there since the strike commenced.

The Mayor of Lyttelton sent the following telegram to Captain Bussell“ I understand applications will be made for the Permanent Artillery to preserve order at Lyttelten. I emphatically assert there is no need for such anion, P,eaee consult before doing so." A largely attended meeting of farmers and employers of labor in the Amuri district was held at Waiau on Tuesday, when resolutions were passed antagonistic to the strikers, DUNEDIN. Last night. The Manapouri having gone to Port Chalmers in the morning, the Company's steam launch Kate was employed as a tender to her, and on arrival of the 2.30 p.m train from Dunedin, the passengers were conveyed alongside by the tug Plucky, and the Manapouri sailed for Sydney, via Northern ports. There was no demonstra. tion. She is said to have 58 nonunionist hands. The Herald is still lying at the lower pier with her cargo of coal on board. At the City Court, E. M. Eobinson was fined the full penalty of £lO, or one month, for obstructing a loaded dray, driven by nonunionists. The offence occurred during Monday’s disturbance. The Magistrate expressed a hope that the ease already heard would act as a warning to others, and intimated that he intended fining the full penalty allowed by the Act in future cases. It is said that the ballot of the railway servants showed a proportion of 4 to 1 in favor of a strike, The Bev. Mr Waddell writes to the Press that he is unable to agree to the action which led up to present complications, but hopes a settlement wi 1 be effected on the lines that existing contracts between the Union Company and nonunion labor be adhered to for eix months or-such shorter terms as agreed upon, that at the expiration of that time the relations existing between the Union Company and the Seamen's Union previous to the present strike be resumed, that meanwhile Unionists agree to work with nonunionists till the term of latter’s contracts with the Company, that the Union Company refrain from employing nonunion labor on Australian shores, and the Seamen’s Union undertake to provide the necessary labor pending a settlement. of the present dispute, and the question of officers in relation to the Maritime Council be postponed for six months.

1 THE POSITION IN GISBORNE. There is little outward charge noticeable in Gisborne.■ The interruption in the shipping trade is very inconvenient to the community, but as yet there has not been any serious loss. The stock of breadstuffs is gradually being reduced, but there appears to be a strong belief that the struggle eannot last much longer, and the scare that was at first created has died away. • The few arrivals of steamers prevents a fair Judgment being made as to how the port stands in regard to labor, but in case there was any large quantity of goods it is certain there would be much difnculty in the matter. The unionists all hold firmly to their colors, and only one has yet shown a tendency tp turn blackleg. He has since repented, The nonunionist who helped at the beginning of the week has not been seen about much during the last few days, and it. is believed be has retired for an airing in the country. HOW THE STRIKE STARTED. As there appears to be a great miecon--ception on the part qf many people as tn the real pause of the present strike, we publish, in full, the following manifesto issued by the Maritime Council on Angnst 27 " The directors of the Union Steamship Company having issued q manifesto, in which they endeavor to lay the whole blame of the present difficulty upon the shoulders of the labor party, we feel it to be our duty to lay a plain statement of the case before the public, and they will perhaps see that we are not responsible, but that the blame lies with the Shipowners’ Association. "We distinctly deny that we have been anxious to have a trial of strength, as they state. On the contrary, we have done every - thing in our power to avert it; but the Steamship Owners’ Association, seeing that the various Unions throughout Australasia were becoming, in their opinion, too power ful, decided to endeavor to crush them out, and, with the object of effecting a rupture, have studiously avoided entertaini ing any proposals submitted by the various . Unions.

“ The present dispute originated soma two mouths ago, when the officers belonging to the various companies resolved to form a Union After doing so they submitted their rules and rates of pay to the Association, but the latter declined to recognise them. After this the Officers affiliated with the Trades and Labor Councils of New South Wales and Victoria, and again submitted their demands

when a conference was arranged between the two parties ; but prior to the date on which it had been agreed to hold it the Shipowners' Association sent notice that they declined to meet them unless they withdrew from the Trades Councila. This the officers declined to do, upon the grounds that as an individual society they had failed to gain recognition from the Association, and furthermore, that it was arbitrary and unjust on the part of the shipowners to debar them from affiliating with the Council whilst the shipowners retained the right to themselves ‘to band together in an association, " Efforts have repeatedly been made by the officers and seamen to have their demands considered at a Conference and decided upon their merits, but all their efforts have proved fruitless, owing to the offhand and contemptible action of the Shipowners’ Association, and it is this treatment which has compelled the labor bodies to show that they intend to demand that respect which they as men are entitled to.

“ We admit that no direct quarrel with the Union Company existed at present, but the Union Company being a portion of an Association which has openly expressed its intention of crushing Labor Unions cannot expect to be allowed to run free, and thus far they share the responsibility of causing the present crisis, aa had the Union Co. and A.U.S.N. Co., who practically seem to work used their voting power in the Association to prevent this disquiet, it would have never taken place. The public can therefore see by the foregoing statement that the treatment accorded to the Labor Unions by the Shipowners’ Association has forced them into the present position, as they had either to fight or lie down and ba kicked, and they chose the former.

“ The Seamen’s Union of New Zealand have endeavored to prevent the strike extending to New Zealand, and the directors of the Union Company have admitted that it was impossible for us to do anything more than we have done, unless we instructed our members to work with blacklegs, and as evidence of the feelings of our members, we may simply point out the fact that the crons of the Tarawera, Taieri, and Ohau left in Sydney without instructions from us sooner than work with blacklegs, and this feeling is openly expressed by every member of the Union who has had an opportunity of expressing it, Had ths Union Company not employed blacklegs on the Sydney wharf, trade might still have been open, as would also the coastal trade; but having thrown in their lot with the Association, and determined to assist them in crushing Labour Unions, they cannot any longer exprot us to work for them, nor can ths New Zealand public expect New Zealand seamen to allow themselves to be tools of any employers who are endeavouring to crush the labour organisations of Australia. “Although the seamen may rgret that their action may cause paralysis of trade, they maintain that thsir action has only been taken in self-defence, — John A. Killer, Secretary.”