THE CRISIS IN THE SHIPPING TRADE.

Evening Star, Issue 8504, 1 May 1891, Page 4

THE CRISIS IN THE SHIPPING TRADE.

THE CLOUDS LIFT. DISUNITED UNIONISM. [From Odb Special Correspondent.] London, March 21. The clouds which have so long hung black and heavy over the shipping trade of Britain have now, practically speaking, disappeared—let na hope for ever. At Cardiff there is still some show of fight on the part of a stiff-necked and unregenerate section of onionists, but it is the mere flicker of an expiring flame. In London’s docks the onions have accepted the inevitable—that is, they now recognise the Federation ticket and agree to work alongside the erstwhile execrated "free” laborer. That the tussle between the Wilson-dominated Sailors and Firemen’s Union and the Federation would end this way was readily recog nised by most impartial folk. It could not be otherwise. The Federation acted throughout the long and wearisome straggle in a generous spirit, and was consequently backed up by public opinion, in spite of the jaundiced views of its actions promulgated by a few journals. The beginning of the end was plainly shown early last week. In spite of Mr Wilson’s rhetorical powers, and his everlasting prophecy of a speedy bringing to its knees of the Shipowners’ Union, the rank and file of his party felt pretty keenly that they were playing a foolish game—to use "poker” parlance, they were “bluffing a warm hand.” The other riverside unions had virtually deserted Mr Wilson’s organisation because their leaders recognised that in many things the sailors and firemen had not “their quarrel just.” The more moderate members of the latter Union have long been of opinion that too much was being made of the Federation ticket, which, in reality, meant nothing more than that the acceptor of the paper agreed to work for a fair wage—higher in many cases than the standard of remuneration demanded by his Union—without reference to composition of the crew or gang into which he was going. In other words, the man who takes the "ticket” binds himself to work amicably with any man, who, thongb he be not a member of any particular union, yet receives a fair current wage for the class of work he undertakes. Of course a union man cannot work with men who receive less than the standard wage, for that would be treachery to his trade union principles. The Federation, however, will not ask them to do anything of the kind. When the riverside anions had withdrawn from active participation in the quarrel there arose a question as to whether the sailors and firemen should start a general strike on their own account. Mr Wilson and some others of his Executive were in favor of such a proceeding, but a circular forwarded to the various seaport branches produced a decided preponderance of opposition to such a course; and Mr Wilson could do nothing but submit to the "peace ” party, who were in favor of accepting the "ticket” rather than fight with such au antagonist as the Federation. The moat caustic criticism of Mr Wilson and all his works was embodied in a brief manifesto which was issued a week ago by a foregathering of old trades onionists. This document stigmatised the statement that the strikes which were going on in the shipping trade were in defence of the principles of trade unionism as a fraud and a delusion ; and farther warned the men concerned that they would be the chiefest sufferers by the driving away of shipping from their ports. Thus far it will be seen the Federation has achieved distinct successes all along the line. Bat the end of its travail is not yet. It does not require a " Zadkiel ” or an “ Old Moore ” to predict mnch unpleasantness between master and man in the very near future, but at the same time tactful firmness in dealing with the petty grievances which must always be cropping up among the employes will obviate any grave difficulty arising. One source of trouble to the Federation will be the treatment of the laborers who stood by them daring the great struggle. During the crisis these men received many little attentions, such as free smokings, concerts, etc., and were also allowed an amount of latitude which they cannot obtain in the future, “ Free ” men are naturally no more reasonable than their union brethren, and already show signs of having been treated too liberally. For instance, one of the New Zealand liners was being coaled daring the early part of the week by a mixed gang of " coalies.” A slight shower came on during the afternoon, and the "free” men promptly struck work, though the unionists continued, and though the gangers remonstrated with them for throwing the work in arrears. This is only a trivial incident; but it will suffice to show the spirit of the time, and what may be expected.