Untitled

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 136, 19 June 1901, Page 4

Continued from page 8.

GREAT STRIKE OF MACHINISTS. Approximately fifty thousand machinists throughout the United States struck on May 20th, and are still idle. The demand was for nine hours a day in place of ten, and a scale of wages equal to the present ten hour per day scale, and other concessions. The strike thus far has not extended to allied trades except in a few instances. No machinists engaged in Government work are implicated, owing to the fact that on such work eight hours a day already prevails. Railroad machinists are not as a rule involved, though the machinists on several roads arc out on strike. The order does not apply to railroads. It was issued by the National Order of Machinists. Since the beginning of the strike a large number of employers have acceded to the demands of the men, and among them are numbered most of the great- iron and steel works. The spirit of the strikers cannot be said to be in the least warlike. They have expressed

their determination to hold out, and are lirm in the opinion that the employes must eventually win. The only tur-

moil is in the breasts of the men who see their yards empty of toilers; the while contracts arc lapsing, and cargoes are waiting for ships, which are not in a seagoing condition. A number of steamships were undergoing repairs when the metal workers’ strike order went into effect, and these must remain idle, along with several uncompleted vessels, which cannot go into commission as soon as was expected.

The Oceanic Company is affected by the strike. Tho steamer Alameda is at the Risdon Ironworks, where she is undergoing repairs amounting to two hundred thousand dollars. The Sonoma is due hero on her voyage from Sydney, and was to have extensive repairs to one of her engines before resuming her run to Australia. Several steamers which were to be put on the Alaska run have been compelled to abandon- the plan of making early trips north, and the Australian steamer Horda, which put in here in distress a few weeks ago on account of having been damaged by going on the rocks, is at Hunter’s Point, Brodocks. Work on her machinery has been suspended. COMMERCIAL RELATIONS.

The Bureau of Foreign Commerce of the State Department has just made pubic advance sheets of “ Commercial Relations for 1900,” which deal with American trade with Scotland. The tide of American imports into Scotland, it is stated, steadily rises. This is true not only of food products, which are in almost universal demand, but of a variety of manufactured articles. A growing preference for American goods is noted everywhere. Social and economic conditions have not, it is said, been affected by the African war, but it is feared there will be depression in the iron and steel trade resulting from the high prices of the raw material and fuel, and from American, German,

and Belgian competition, will soon bo severely felt in industrial communities.

Of the great number of articles now sent to Scotland, tho greatest increase after foodstuffs is in hardware. AVoodware has

secured an important position in this market also, and American furniture, boots and shoes, rubber goods, machinery and wire goods, leather, oil, clocks and watches, prints, drugs, chemicals, organs, glassware, confectionery, and a number of other articles aro among those rapidly gaining a strong foothold in Scotland. There lias been a growing trade in fruits, meats, and nearly sill articles of food.