THE GREAT STRIKE.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume IV, Issue 515, 7 October 1890, Page 2

THE GREAT STRIKE.

[special to the standard.]

SYDNEY.

There are now more than sufficient applications from officers, and employers are becoming firmer in the terms they have dictated as the basis of a settlement.

Statements have been made tnat the wharf laborers will return to work on Tuesday, but no faith can be placed on the assertion.

Owing to the number of “ bad eggs ” that have been accepted as free laborers, provision has been made for a closer scrutiny in future.

AUCKLAND. Last night. The miners at the Bay of Islands colliery have decided to retnrn to work, and to handle coal for whomsover required. The Directors have accepted their overtures, and the men will likely resume work to morrow, This will have a considerable effect on the strike, as the Union Company’s boats draw large supplies from Russell. WELLINGTON. Last night. Thirty nonunion men are being engaged here for the Westport colliery. The Duke of Westminster has finished loading, but will probably be detained here owing to the lack of coal. She wants about 1300 tons, of which she has taken in 300 tons received from the Grey Valley Company. The Hon, G. McLean has received a memorial signed by 35 officers out on strike at Dunedin, asking to be taken back into the service of the Company. The Manawatu Railway Company will now resume full riafgo on (heir line. DUNEDIN, Last night. Four of the Hillside Workshop railway bands have received a fortnight’s notice of dismissal owing to retrenchment, Mr Newton, President of the local branch, is one.

The Conference. Wellington, last night. The Labor Conference, after a lengthened sitting, and discussion of the difficulty, has adjourned till to-morrow morning, when it will probably close, The following basis of settlement was eventually submitted by the Labor delegates That all competent hands at present in the employ of the JJnion Company be admitted to the Unions without a ballot on the payment ot an entrance fee ; that the Union Company undertake to recognise the Mercantile Marine Officers' Association, and the Seamen’s Union undertake to recognise the new Shipmasters' Association, without prejudice to either body, and that the membership in either body be considered for mutual recognition; that all pet eons dismissed or called out be reinstated ; that ;□ future none but Union men be employed where the rules of sny Union provide tor thja, except under exceptional circumstance J to be hereafter agreed upon ; that a bond be agreed upon between both parties guaranteeing that no strike or look-out shall take place for one year or such other period as may be-agreed upon. Mr McLoan for the Union Company, refused to aecept ths proposals, because he considered ittaarejy brought them back to the starting point. The' Company had made a pledge to hold by the non-unionists employed during the crisis, and besides the proposed basis of settlement would put the Company in the position of compelling men to become unionists. In face of the dotermlnation bf Unionists no good could be

derived from the Conference and it was better to dissolve. He was very glad the Conference had been held, for whatever might come out of it they had been able to exchange ideas. As far as the company was concerned they were still able to man their ships. The directors were big-hearted, generous men, and did not wish to take any advantage of the men, but the advantages were all on the side of Unionists He thought now things ought to be allowed to die down. One good that would result from the present strike would be that Unionists would know how to frame rules so as to avoid difficulties of this kind in the future. Mr Millar, for the Libor side, said his party had made every endeavor to effect a settlement, but the employers had now assumed the aggressive and placed Unionists on their defence to prevent Unionism being stamped out. They were content to wait for a month or six weeks, when both sides would perhaps be in a better mood for arriving at a settlement. It was the opinion throughout New Zealand that Unionists should not work alongside nonnioniste. He had received a telegram from Auckland representing 24 societies and 8000 men, advising him not on any account to give way on this point. As far as he could see the Labor party had no error to confess. He admitted the',Company were able to sail their boats and that the other party could not stop them, nor did they want to. He would never be a party to an agreement allowing nonunionists to work with unionists. He would rather clear out of the country. The Union Company might consider the result of the Conference to be a victory over them, but he could assure them it would be a dearly-bought one. They would never crush out Unionism, and he predicted that before long the free laborers would form themselves into a Union. Most of the delegates spoke at some length and deplored the fact that no settlement was arrived at. An opinion was expressed that unionism would still go ahead, and that attempts of employers to crush Unions would be far from successful.

At 12.50 the Conference adjourned till 10 a.m. to-morrow, when it will probably be formally closed. A caucus of labor parties was being he'd thia afternoon to consider the position.