THE LATEST ABOUT THE STRIKES.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 5924, 1 September 1890, Page 3

THE LATEST ABOUT THE STRIKES.

]_VX& PBES3 ASSOCIATION.")

Wkujngton, This day,

With respect to the difficulty with the railway hands at Westport, the Railway Commissioners oxplain that no duties have been asked or done other than those ordi. narily performed by the railway. Tlio railway service consists in taking tho coal trucks alongside the ships at the wharf and emptyiug them by opening tho hopper door.i in the bottom of the trucks, aud in adjusting tho shoots which form part of the railway wharf. The Commissioners have given orders to their officers to bo careful to adhere strictly to the ordinary duties devolving upon them, and not to undertake anything beyond the usual railway practice.

Mr Joyce to-day gave notice to ask tho Government whether they would suspend all business to enable a measure to be discussed preventing shipping companies iv New Zealand being associated with other companies outside tho colony in such n. manner aa to paralyse the business of the country f Tho work of coaling the Wanaka with free labor began this afternoon. There was a slight demonstration, some of tho spectators trying to persuade ono or two bauds to leuve the steamer. There are, however, not many people on tho wharf. A deputation ropresentiiig those on strike waited ou Sir Harry Atkinson this morning in connection with thu present difficulties. Tho Premier referred them to tho Hon. Qeo. McLean.

Christohuhou, This day,

On Saturday notice was given to tho Operatives at the Kuiapoi woollen mills that the works would close on the 6th through the coul supply failing. The farmers' mon are loading the Tekapo. The permanent platelayers, who are getting 10s a day, are receiving the cargo in the trucks.

The Wakatipu was worked by free labor The Colac's seamen came out yesterday whim free labor was put on board.

The Kaikoma is being worked by Union meu, permission having been wired from the Maritime Council.

The cooks and stewards of all tho Union steam ships are coming out at 10.30 a.m. tomorrow. Tho ohiuf stewards are not included. It is .stated that tho wivos of several free laborers offer to oook whilo tho stearaurs aro in port. The steam v.Luhc.: c-.i several sailing ships were tampered with last night, but no serious damage was done. At a mcotinp; of the officers of the Kai-

koura, Duke of Westminster, and Wairoa, this morning it was decided to work the cargo if necessary, but the Wairoa officers refused to work on any other than their own ship. The seamen and firemen of the Wakatipu deny they expressed regret to Mr Whejler. Mr Stead, addressing the men at liyttelton, said they were misdirected by the leaders. The men called out " Its a lie; we are not." Mr Stead offered 3s 6d a day to each. married man sufferiug by the strike. The offer was received with laughter. The officers of the Australia have not yet struck. The carters struck to-day so far as concerns the Union Company, refusing to touch any goods from the Australia. So far her cargo is lying on the wharf uncarted. The Harbor Board workmen ftre barricading Queen street wharf and Quay street wharf, in anticipation uf a disturbance. The Wairarapa is expected to arrive tomorrow from ttie south. The Northern Steamship Company are not implicated in the strike troubles in any way.

The gas supply in Auckland will last for five or six weeks at least, and piobably longer.

The unionists protested to tho police against tho erection of a barricade on the wharf, but Inspector Brohan's reply was polite. The police must do their duty. The unionists are arranging a procession this afternoon. Bread is up c. halfpenny per loaf. Tho master carters met to-duv and resolved to foutiuue carting goods from tho Union Company's steamers, employing nonunion men for the purpose. Dunedin, This day. The Rotorua is to be hid up. The To Anau had fifty tons aboard when the troublo arose. The wharf contretemps is snid to have been occasioned by a few young men, and the Unionists disclaim all responsibility. Mr Millar issued placards freely enjoining the Unionists to obserte order, refruin from violence, and give support to the authorities. The Mayor has intimated that if the I obstruction is repeated ho will swear in special constables and read the Riot Act. Throe persons were slightly injured. The steamer Herald'b crew left this morning. On dit that tho railway meu will have the ballot returnable on Wednesday to soo what action shall be taken. Invebcaegill, This day. The Mfcnapouri'a seamen leavo at Dunedin. ;

TiMAiur, This day,

The formal cause of the wharf hands going out was tho trucks were loaded by non-unionists. At 1 p.m. the chief clerk, the wharf clerk, and the crane driver went in tho trucks and the crow ashore began stowing oats. Two shunt.srs were then sent down. It is expected they will be called out. The crowd on the wharf chatfed the clerks. The mill hands meet to-night, when they aro expected to vote against non-union labor. Gisboene, This day. Both tho Wrtihora and Wnirarapa arrived hero this morninc. No difficulty was experienced in working tho cargoes with nonunion men.

(OWN COBHESPONDKNT.)

Ley telegraph.]

Wellington, This day.

The work of discharging the Waihi and Kanieri is going on with free labor brought from Blenheim yesterday and the storemen in the employ of consignees. Tbo Takapuna is to be laid up permanently, but the Company have sufficient officers and non-union meu to keep most of the other boats going. The seamen on the Colac at Lyttelton refuse to leave the vessel or work the ship.

A crew and officers has been secured for the Tekapo, which loaves for Sydney in a few days. With the exception of the chief mate of the Takapumi, who remains loyal to tho Company, all the officers have gone out. Late on Saturday tho Executive of the Railway Society wired to tho Commissioners that thek- action in compelling platelayers, orano drivers, and other permanent men to supply the place of ordinary casual wharf labor was the reverse of impartial, *nd strongly urged that tho order should be countermanded. Tho Executive added that they found great difficulty in restraining the

The lumpers refused to coal the Doric to - day, so work at tho Wellington wharves is practically suspended. It is reported here that the Government railway men will come out to-morrow, and the Manawatu linemen on Thursday. On

that dato a mail train will be run with Mr Fulton, the Company's mauager, as engineer and the assistant locomotive superintendent as fireman.

A new and serious phase of tho maritime difficulty presents itself. It has been ascertained that there is a falling off in the Customs and railway returns, aud should

the present trouble last for a month the revenue will show a decrease of fully £100,000. In the face of this it will be impossible to discontinue the primago duty as was intended, and Ministers will have to face the imposition of extra taxation.