THE BOOTMAKERS' STRIKE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 88, 15 April 1891, Page 8

THE BOOTMAKERS' STRIKE.

The bootmakers' strike is still dragging on wearily aad unpleasantly, and there is still no prospect of a settlement. Neither side apparently will give way. Every boab bhab goes South takes a few more operatives away, but the majority are remaining in the hope of the manufactures giving way.

Mr Shera's efforts to bring about a conference between bhe two parties bo bhe disDute will still be remembered. The men were willing bo send delegate* to such a conference, bub the Manufacturers' Association refused consent. Wo have been requested bo publish the following correspondence on the subject:—

Auckland, April 14bh„ IS9I. F. G. Ewington, Esq., Secretary Auckland

Employers' Association.

Sir, — He bootmakers' strike. In reply to Mr J. M. Shera's letter of the 9th inst. bo our Association (a copy of which appeured in tho press), urging a reconsideration of his proposal for a conference between representatives of both parties to this bootmakers' dispute, Hrst, wo object to his inference that our refusal to accept his proposal iB tantamount to a determination "to figho Unionism in New Zealand." Our fight is rather to keep our business out of the Bankruptcy Court. Certainly, Unionism has compelled our hands (many of them most unwillingly) to leave us to do this as best we may. To pass so gratuitous a judgment, and to put forth a» issue the mosb likely to damage our cause in tho eyes of our opponents, especially in face of a prior offer on our part to hand the whole matter over to an independent tribunal to be examined, adjudged, and fettled, is to disqualify himfolf for the "function of a peacemaker." We have therefore no further answer to this personal ovorture to ourselves than the one which we submitted to you in our resolution previously, and we have no wish to pass by you arid treat with Mr J. M. Shcra personally in this matter ; moreover, tha wholo aspect of the question is now completely changed by the better terms which wo are otlering the operatives in the now statement now ready for their inspection ab our respective factories. Yours very truly. The Auckland Boot Manufacturers' Association, Thomas Hodgson, Secretary. Auckland, April 14tb, 1891. J. M. Shera, Esq., M.H.R. Dear Sir,—l have the honour to inform you that the boob manufacturers at their meeting on Monday 13th inst., considered your proposal of a conference between them and the operatives, and I enclose for your information a copy of the letter they sent to my Association, declining your proposal. You will doubtless remember that tho Employers' Association tried to set the existing dispute settled by arbitration, and that the boot manufacturers agreed to leave the settlement of it to any fair dealing, competent men who might be mutually agreed upon ; but when the Operative Bootmakers' Union wrote saying: "Thab the Union in terms of motion unanimously passed, declined to entertain proposal of arbitration or conciliation from any source," the answer was regarded as final, and arrangements were accordingly made for carrying on the soveral factories. Yours very obediently. F. G. Ewtnuton; Secretary Auckland Employers' Association.