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Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 5975, 30 October 1890, Page 2

Tni3 Wellington branch of the Typographical Association has been the first of the labor organisations in Now Zealand to recognise the fact that tho strike has fizzled out. About ten days ago, it will be ~emembered, that body passed a resolution declining to continue the payment of a strike levy. Last Saturday the Association held another meeting, called for the purposo of rescinding that resolution, but which resulted in confirming it by a large majority. The proceedings were at times extremely uproarious, owing to Mr D. P. Fish-u-'s attempt to overrule tho majority. Mr Fisher is president of the Mainline Council, und secretary of the Trades and Labor Council. Judging from the reports of the meeting, his conduct appeared to be actuated more by the desire to keep up strife between capital and labor than to ussi.it the deluded individuals who are now dependont on strike pay. From all accounts the leaders of iho strike are the only people who have made anything out of tho trouble. Mr J. Carson seems to have put the matter in its true light in his spe< eh (reported in the Post) iv favor of | discontinuing the payment of further levies. There seemed, ho said, to be au impression that thoso who wanted to dbcontinue the lt-vii-8 wero anxious to got out of payment of the paltry half-crown a week. (Cries of "So they are.") For his own part, and he believed he could also speak for the bulk of those on his side, he was prepared to assist the distressed as much as possible. (Applause, ironical cheers and laughter). If the strike were declared to be ended a great many of tho 1100 men now out of work in Wellington, and who wore only getting 8s a week to support themselves and their families, could get into fair employment again. Thoy must be dull of understanding if they did not know tha l, all over New Zealand, or in Wellington at any rate, tho strike had practically ceasod. (Cries of "No " and " Yes.") The people they were supposed to be fightiug wero carrying on their operations with a very 1 irge complement of men, many of whom might bo incompetent, but who were growing more and more competent every day, and the majority of whom were already competent. (Cries of "No " and " Yes.") What, then, was the uso of keeping meu hanging about for only such moneys as tho societies could dole out for them and thi ir families? Instead of that thoy should bo placed in a position to support thoir own families. As to the large number who could not get back, and who had been brought to a condition of misery through the ill-advised action of their leaders —(applause, and cries of "No") —he and others were prepared to subscribe whatever amount might bo necessary to fairly support them while they were seeking employment. They were all aware of the benefits of Unionism—(Mr. Fisher, ironically :Of course you're speakiug to tho motion !) — but they were anxious that a strike which was disastrous to the colony, and had done immense mischief to tho cause of Unionism, should bo put an end to as quickly as possible. All the money spent on it had been fritt.red away, and had practically been thrown into the sea—(dissent)—for it had done no good to Unionism at all. He hoped tho socioty would by a very largo majority deolaro that the strike must be discontinued, aud that thoy would pay no further levies | till that was done. (Applause.)