THE GREAT STRIKE.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume IV, Issue 508, 18 September 1890, Page 3

THE GREAT STRIKE.

SVDNEV. The western miners are idle now. A ballot of railway employees was largely •gainst going out on strike, The Mayor has requested the leaders of the Labor party not to call out all the Jodies affiliated to the grades and Labor Council, ge proposed. The latter has promised to give the matter its serious consideration. The intercolonial Labor Conference has Called out shearers, " roueeibouts,” wool carters, and the Western miners, representing 40,000 men. While a body of volunteers and artillery were proceeding on duty to the fortifications they fiooted a number of free laborers. Bit H. Parkes has written to the commandant that the act is a disgrace to the colony, and demands a full inquiry. Tta Telegraph, commenting on the crisis, says that while the attitude cf emplovers is consistent they have nothing to lose by affording an opportunity for a conference : it is certain the strike will sattla slowly to their Satisfaction, and it is also certain that it is wither in their power or that of the labor delegates to settle the matter to the Sal Hf action of both parties in a 24 hours’ fliscass-.cn, The Sydney Morning Herald • ays one must view the policy decided on in calling out the other trades as no other a policy of desperation, avowedly carrying the war beyond employers, and directing it against general society. It was the first time in the history of the industrial Struggles which marked the social developpwnxoi the English race, that anything so wanton and indiscriminate had even been An attack on shipowners, which failed when made direct, would not be more effective when directed against the general public. LONDON. The boys at Southampton have tpaaded an advance in wages. Ths Albert Dock Company has looked out th* PeDinsuU Company’s laborers. The Post considers that the new unionism baa been beaten both in England and in AuatraUa.

The Southampton dockers having given way the Icck out bus ended.

An immense parade meeting cf Unionists was held yesterday, when liberal collections were made at th* Eai-t End. The dockers cable £5OO to morrow.

The Standard asser's that the extreme cm r * s being adopted by the colonial strikers indicate that they are losing ground.

AUCKLAND. Last night. The cooks and stewards of the steamer Richmond went out to-day. The weather is very wet and the wharves are deserted. A new crew of thirty men have been engaged f>r the Richmond. Three members of the Wharf Laborers’ Union have returned to the Union Company’s employ. All the coal necessary for the steamer Richmond has been secured. The desire here for arbitration is very strong. WELLINGTON. Last night. The steamer Duke of Westminster requires 1200 tons of coal for the voyage Home, but only 300 are available. The Grey Valley Co. are under contract to supply, the Gas Company, but find a difficulty in doing so in consequence of the position of affairs at the West coast mines. The carters and express owners have determined To expel any member plying for hire.

Owing to the wet and boisterous weather the Manapouri was unable to discharge her cargo of sugar yesterday, and her departure for the South was postponed until this afternoon.

One hundrei and thirty men applied for work at the labor bureau, opened on Monday. At the Resident Magistrate’s Court, Andrew Nelson and Nicholas CaHogavis were charged with assaulting Edward Hartnett, a free laborer, on Thursday afternoon. Nelson was acquitted, and Oallogavis was sentenced to 14 days. Thomas Beveridge, for obstructing the jiolicg, and. inciting others to do so on the same occasion, was sentenced to six days' imprisonment.

Gerrard, the man who fell or was pushed down the bold of the Australia, has recovered consciousness.

The Bailway Commissioners have absolute/declined to bold an interview wirh the employees' executive in regard to ths reinstatement of the men dismissed.

WANGANUI. Last night. The crew of the Charles Edward have given 24 hours' notice of their intention to leave the ship, but will take the boat to Nelson, where she will be laid np. Matters connected with the Labor difficulty are all quiet. LYTTELTON. - Last night. In connection with the Wilson’s Road outrage, MoCreity waa sentenced to two months’ hard labor, and the rest of the accused were discharged. DUNEDIN. Last nighf. The Monowai leaves here late to-morrow afternoon. Her orew is nonunion. There is no difficulty in loading or unloading at the various hatches. Captain Carey expressed himself perfectly sati-fled with the crew, and says on leaving Williamstown there was a surplus of 20 hands over the number required to work the ship. The cooks of lhe Monowai, with the exception of the butchers and bakers, went out this afternoon. Som*j stewards also went out, otheis remaining with the vessel.

THE LABORERS’ UNION.

The following country bylaws have been adopted by the Poverty Bay branch of the Laborers* Union, subject to alteration by the committee : —l. On farms and stations, where more than two mon are engaged, the Union shall appoint a delegate from among those employed, whose duty it shall be to act officially on behalf of the Union j he shall hear any grievance from employer or laborer, laying the same before the District Committee at the next meeting; he shall see that each member is in a financial position to the Union. 2. He shall be called the working delegate. 3. The Union recognises eight hours as one day’s labor, or 48 hours as one week’s labor. 4. The working delegate shall be empowered to extend the hours of labor in all cases where a majority of those employed think it neces" sary. 5- If working extended hours, the hours must be thoroughly understood by both employer and mon. 6. Any man, or number of men, violating rule' five, by suddenly ceasing work, thereby imperilling their employer’s interests, property, or stock, shall, for the first offence, be subject to a fine not exceeding £2 each ; for the second offence, shall be dealt with by a Board appointed by the Committee. 7Any delegate reported to be overbearing, such report to be sent to the Secretary in writing, the same being proved, the deleeate’g appointment shall be cancelled- 8. The Union reserves the sole right to appoint, nr cancel, all working delegates. 9. The Union does not interfere with the hours of shepherds, or men in charge of stock. 10. Labor shall be classed as follows: Ist, 2nd, and 3rd. 11. A first-class laborer shall be thoroughly acquainted with nil kinds of farm or station work; he shall be able to fake orders from his employer, and carry them, or see them oari’ied out in a practical manner, 13- A second-class laborer shall have a general knowledge of farm or station work, as the case may be; he shall endeavor to carry out the wishes of his employer at all times to the best of his ability. 13. Third class shall mean unskilled labor, such $s strong learners, or men past the meridian in life. 14. Amount to he paid per week,

with rations of a substantial kind, and suffi cient thereof. 15. With married couples, married men not living on ttyj place, casual labor, &c., the Union does not interfere, except in cases of hardship brought before the Committee, by a financial member of the Union, IQ. In such cases a deputation from the Union shall interview the employer, with a view te adjustment. 17. In the event of no agreement being arrived at, the case to be settled by arbitration. 18. In all cases where arbitration is resorted to, the decision shall be binding on both sides. 19. Oases of extreme inability, such as old age, &0., shall be treated as in rules 15, 16, and 17. 20. Honorary members : Any man not making his living by the labor of others. 21. His contributions shall be, ” after three months,” one half the amount cf active members, but hp shall not be entitled to strike pay. 22 He shall be entitled to speak and vote at all meetings, with the consent of the chairman. 23. In all cases, where it is found practicable, and with the consent of the employer, "in lieu of ex tended hours through the week and existing holidays,” a Saturday half-holiday be advocated. The Committee have not fixed the scale of wages, but it is considered the 2nd class will be the a verage wages now paid in the district.