LABOUR AND CAPITAL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXI, Issue 32, 8 February 1890, Page 5

LABOUR AND CAPITAL.

[PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

l__ ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH—COPYRIGHT.]

LOCK-OUT

AT WAPPING.

STRENGTHENING THE EM-

PLOVERS' UNION.

COMBINATION OF COAL

OWNERS.

London. February 7. Many additional Dock Companies and wharfingers are joining the Employers' Union, • fearing a strike amongst their employees. Pressure has been applied to obtain delivery of wool sold at the recent London auction sales, in view of the possible, strike of carriers.

Coal owners throughout the United Kingdom propose to federate, to declare eight hours to constitute a day's work, to decrease the output to thirty millions of tons yearly, and to»increase the price by 5 s per ton.

The dockers are negotiating with other unions in order to ascertain what support they may expect in view of the proposed general strike.

Dock owners are preparing a scheme to contribute towards the sick benefit (und of their employees.

Shippers, fearing a strike, are withholding goods from the control of the dock companies.

Nesv London Docks scheme has been abandoned.

Monastery wharf at Wapping has locked out the wharf labourers.

The dockers have asked Hayes to give them piecework at a price virtually covering meal times. If he refuses, the dockers will try and arrange the old terms, in order to gain time, during which the unions will be strengthened, with a view of renewing the struggle in

ihe summer.

The workmen in the metropolis will endeavour to revert to the eight-hours' system, unless it is specially agreed to re-engage strikers whenever vacancies occur.

Berlin, February 7.

The Emperor William's decree, calling together the Staatsrath to consider the condition of operatives, has caused a prodigious sensation in Germany.

The German press of all shades, commenting thereon, declare that the advance and weJl-being of German subjects will be safeguarded by the Throne.