THE SHIPPING DISPUTE IN ENGLAND.

Grey River Argus, Volume XXXIX, Issue 6987, 12 February 1891, Page 2

THE SHIPPING DISPUTE IN ENGLAND.

Writing on December 12, the London correspondent of the New Zealand Herald says : — " The dispute between the Shaw SaviU and New: Zealand Shipping Com-j panles and the Seamen and Firemen's j Union has become aoute. The ill-feeling has bean actively fostered by^MrWihon, the secretary of the Unions who has followed a most aggressive policy ever since the foundation of the body he controls. It was his action in endeavoring to compel all masters and officers of the mercantile marine to join his nnlon, and thus deprive shipowners of the controLover their property, that was the main cause of the formation of the Shipping Federation. Now, apparently Nemesis has 'overtaken Mr Wiison in the person of the federation. The dlßpute commenced about three months pgo, when the Union demanded that all the labor work connected with the repairs of the hulls, machinery, and boilers of the vessels must be dona by members of the Seamen and Firemen's Union, and not as hitherto by the AmaU gamated Protection Union of Hammermen, EnglnemeD, Helpers and General Laborers' Union. The Seamen's Union thereupon attempted to prevent the ships going to sea by preventing the shipping of crews. The company, with whom wsb now associated the great firm of GrejJ Dawes, and Co,, of the British India service, refused to accede to these demands and » strike has been In progress ever since. The Seamen's Union have resorted to violenoe, going very great lengths in their efforts to Intimidate the orew of the a s Mamari. Their rowdies raided the vessel, and brutally attacked the crew in the presence and without the interference of the dock policemen. They were incensed because the owners had engaged the crew on board ship, and not in the shipping office, where the men are intimidated and aesultetJ. Though the Seamen's Union are very confident it is generally thought they muat be beaten. The Shipping Federation are rendelrng most valuable assistance, and chiefly through their aid the New Zealand steamers have been got off without mnch delay. The other Unions evidently dislike the idea of becoming Involved in a great and probably hopeless struggle. The riggers and stevpdores and dockers have declined to Interfere point blank, and the strike at the present moment seems to be fizzling out."