THE STRIKE AT McBRIDE'S

Auckland Star, Volume XXI, Issue 104, 3 May 1890, Page 8

THE STRIKE AT McBRIDE'S

SETTLED AT LAST. MR McBRIDE TAKES THE GIRLS BACK. AND WILL PAY SHOP LOG. At one o'clock this afternoon a deputation from the Trades and Labour Council, consisting of Messrs Ellison, Freeman, and Moulden, waited on Mr G. JjTcßride at hie office, to try to effect a settlement of the dispute between him and his tailoresses at present on strike. Mr Meßride had been expecting the deputation during the morning, and wae quite ready when the members arrived. They were courteously received in his private office, and plunged at once in mediasres. Mr Ellison: "We havecalied as a deputation from the Trades and Labour Council to try to settle the dispute, as it was decided last evening." Mr Meßride : " That is exactly what ought to be done. I wished to get an invitation to attend, but could not." Mr Moulden: "We sent word to you, and I should have called to see you myself. We said last night that this matter must go to all the branches throughout New Zealand, and ib would,, be better to see Mr Meßride first to try to settle it. We wished to have both sides before us, but we thought if the tailoresses were not satisfied something was wrong." . Mr Ellison : "We wish to know if you will pay according to the shop log. We want a settlement, as strikes we know are bad. But if the other tailors pay this log you should do the same in common fairness." Mr Meßride :"laaa wholesale tailor, and I pay according to the wholesale log." Mr Freeman : " The tailoresses say you are not a wholesale tailor." Mr Meßride then read from a letter to the papers by the President of tho Union, and contended thab ' the latter admitted that he was a wholesale tailor. He paid more than the log, even 100 per cent, in some cases. " Give me the log and I will show you cases." Mr Ellison: "Oh, but you want the wronsf lof? —*he sl°P I°K- We consider you a retail more than a wholesale tailor. " Mr Meßride: " But you are wrong. Anyone out on. strike .could- work, on thg'log you show me." The deputation : "Then why the strike?" Mr Meßride : (t l don't know. I pay first-clas3 machinist's 35s a week, instead of 305." I Mr Freeman: "Do you pay anyone 35s ?" Mr Meßride: " Unfortunately I have now no first-class machinists, and therefore I pay no first-class machinists." A discussion followed in which figured many a fine simile. Mr Ellison : "There is a dispute between you and your people as to prices." Mr Meßride: "My people get good wages. There is some mistake. I had the best girls in Auckland." Mr Moulden : " Then, why are they out on strike, and why do they complain thac you are not paying the proper wages 2" Mr Meßride : " I do not know." Mr Freeman : " We come as friends, and we want to have this settled. We are told that many of your statements are incorrect." Mr Meßride: "Give me instances that I may contradict." Mr Moulden : "If your wages are so good why are your girls on strike 2" Mr Freeman : " We were given to understand that any man who gave an order to you, had his suit made at slop prices, and had no more work put in it than any other slop work." M r Meßride : " There is not a shadow of truth in it." Mr Ellison: "It is no use sitting here arguing. Will you adopt this shop log ?" Mr Meßride : " My girls cannot do the work." Mr Ellison: "Then you can employ those who are able to do the work." Mr Moulden: "If you take back the girls and pay the log, I promise you they will be back on Monday." ' Some discussion followed as to whether Mr Meßride would suffer or hot by a quarrel with the various unione,

Then Mr Ellison : " Well, will you pay according to that log, and will yovl take back the girls ?" Mr Mcßride: "Will you let in © take them in ten or twelve at a time ? .101 put them all on if I can have time." Mr Ellison : " Can you not see yomr way to take them all back at once ? all these people that are out." Mr Mcßride: "I'll take them back, and pay the shop log. But lam anxioifs to let your Unions know all about the wages.. The girls must be able to do the woi;k."