THE BOOTMAKERS' DISPUTE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9450, 22 August 1889, Page 6

THE BOOTMAKERS' DISPUTE.

The dispute between tho Bootmakers' Union and Messrs. W. McArthur and Co. assumed a further development yesterday, when the following letter was received by the Latter firm :—" New Zealand Federated Bootmakers' Union, Auckland Branch. Ox-ford-street, Newton, August 20, 1889. To the manager : Sir, —I have been instructed by the above to inform you that at a special general meeting held on Monday, August 19, the following resolution was carried : — ' That as -Sir. Strong, one of W. McArthur and Co.'s employees, has been blackballed, they do not consider him a fit member. I have further to inform you that the Union men will refuse to work with him after Saturday next, August 24, except weekly - wage hands, who will give one week's notice from that date. Hoping you will see your way clear to rectify above, your respectfully, A. Rhodes, secretary, Auckland branch Now Zealand Federated Bootmakers' Union."' -Messrs. McArthur and Co. have not yet sent a reply to this letter. Several Union men, however, including the bootmakers in the employ of the firm named, have signed a requisition asking the Union authorities to call another meeting, when this matter will be reconsidered, It is therefore hoped that the difficulty which has arisen will be amicably settled. In fact, the employes of McArthur and Co. state that they have no intention of going out on strike. Strong, the workman named in the letter, is the man who was forced to join the Union some time ago under circumstances which attracted public attention. Messrs. McArthur and Co. state he is a good workman, and they cannot find any fault with him. Thirty bootmakers, all Union members, are employed by McArthur and Co., and of these six are "weekly wage-hands."