LABOUR TROUBLES IN VICTORIA.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXIV, Issue 193, 16 August 1890, Page 4

LABOUR TROUBLES IN VICTORIA.

The Melbourne correspondent of the Otago Daily Times writes ; —

There ia every sign of a very bitter struggle between the squatter and the shearer. The unmistakable victory the latter gained when he threatened to shut non-union, wool not only out of the steamers but actually out of London docks as well, has put him np in the stirrups and opened his eyes wide to the power of union. On ihe squatter it has had an awakening effect also, arid he is determined to bid high for supremacy. We tead on the part of the Shearers Union that it has completed most extensive arrange^ menta to prevent the carriage by land or sea of any wool shorn by non«union labour this shearing season, Up to date it has received promises of support from 200 of the labour societies in the colonies. The Pastoralists' Union, on the other hand, has come to the conclusion that unless squatters desire to be deprived of all liberty and independent right they must fight the Shearers' Union, Having arrived at this decision, the members of the former body are making active preparations for a determined etand. Resolutions have been passed pledg ing wool houses which chip the wool to refuse to ship uoy wool in vessels which do not engage to take either union or non-union wool. This resolution haa been signed by most of the large wool houses in Melbourne and Sydney, and the remainder have promised to sign it a! bo as soon as their clients, the squatters, have approved of such action. In addition to this the Pastoralists Union is going to raise a fund to be known &b the defence fund. This will teach to at least £20,000, and no doubt there will be more available if it is requited. ■ It is evident we are on the borders of a big Btiuggle. There is the same eternal dispute in progress in the shipping trade. One is quite well aware that this is a very important Btruggle, bnt its details are to the general reader the most uninteresting topic he comes across in the newspapers. Between the shipowners and the officers the dispute at present appears to rest in a peculiar position. The association of owners has agreed to grant deck officers an increase of pay. The offer is that on first-class boats ohief officers shall get £15 per month, second officers £12, and third officers £10 ; and on second and cargo boats chief officers shall get £12, and second officers £11. But this offer they insist on making only through the "' Mercantile Marine Service Association," which iias just been formed in Sydney, and not through the " Mercantile Marine Officers' Association." The difference between the two is that the former ia composed, of

captains, the latter of officers. The Marine Officers' Association is indignant at being ignored in this fashion, and is threatening not to accept the increased pay through any source, but rather to strike.