THE UNION STEAMERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8354, 6 September 1890, Page 5

THE UNION STEAMERS.

EVENTS IN THE SOUTH.

THE BOYCOTT OF THE COMPANY.

THE SITUATION IN AUCKLAND.

NORTHERN COMPANY'S CREWS ON STRIKE.

FREE LABOUR CREWS ENGAGED. Matters in regard to the strike did not make any material advance yesterday, the only progressive step taken being the calling out of the crews and officers of the Northern S.S. Co. The wharves were very quiet, save where those newly-boycotted vessels were discharging by free labour, which the management secured as soon us the Union crews left. About town delivering opera tions are still being carried on by employers and amateur drivers. The Union S.S. Co. has decided in a most generous manner to pay to all the crews who left their vessels here the wages they had earned up to tho time of their withdrawal. The various labour organisations intend to hold a monster procession to Mount Eden this afternoon.

NORTHERN COMPANY'S CREW ON STRIKE. The only new development in regard to the strike in Auckland is that tho Northern Steamship Company has now been affected, the crews and officers of four of its vessels having left their work yesterday. The cause of their withdrawal is not given by the strikers themselves, who in all cases left their vessels without giving the company any notice of their intention so to do, the officers, at least, displaying in this a lack of courtesy of which no other striking officers had previously been guilty, the solitary exception being Mr. C. Faulkner, the chief officer of the Chelmsford, who gave the usual twenty-four hours' notice, and stood by his vessel during her discharge, and will leave only today when his term of notice expires. Yesterday evening, however, several officers called upon Mr. Ranson, tho manager of the Northern Steamship Company, and apologised for the summary ma in which they had left their posts, but that gentleman, while accepting their expressions of regret, remarked that they were somewhat late in being made. Tho reason for tho call-out is doubtless the aid which the Northern Steamship Company gave to the Union Steamship Company by conveying a quantity of firebars to Russell for the s.s. Pukaki, and in bringing up a quantity of free labour from Whanearei. The first move was made on the wellknown northern trading steamer Clansman, which reached port from Russell at an early hour yesterday morning. As soon as she was berthed notifications to the crew and officers were given from the Maritime Council calling them out — summons which was obeyed promptly. The example cf the Clansman's men was followed quickly by those on board the s.s. Wellington, while the crews of the smaller vessels, Chelmsford and Rowena, which arrived during the day from the Bay of Plenty and the Thames respectively, also struck as soon as the steamers reached port. No time was lost by the management of the Company in procuring free labour to unload the vessels, and several lumpers being secured the Wellington's cargo was got out by these, aided by some of the Company's clerks and Captains Farquhar ana Stephenson, who worked manfully at the' winches. As soon as tho Wellington's freight was all safely landed, operations were begun on the s.s. Clansman, and her gum ana sundries were also landed without delay or hindrance. In regard to furnishing crews, a number of those free labour seamen who had enrolled their names as applicants for service with the Union S.S. Co. were given the opportunity of shipping by the Northern Co., and by this means the s.s. Wellington got a crew and officers, and proceeded on her voyage to Whangarei, at her usual hour last night, Captain Farquhar, of the s.s. Clansman, going as chief officer under Captain Stephenson. It is proposed to despatch the s.s. Rowena for the Thames, and the s.s. Chelmsford for Tauranga and Bay of Plenty with free labour to-night. The s.s. Clansman, the premier boat of the Northern S.S. Company's fleet, is, however, to be laid up, and was yesterday evening shifted from her usual berth and moored in the stream.

The s.s. Kotomnhana has been detained at the Thames, and her crew will probably come out there ; while the s.s. lona, which is due here to-night from Mercury Bay will also be left by her crew on arrival. Of the vessels of the Northern Company engaged in the West Coast-Manukau trade, the s.s. Gairloeh is clue this afternoon from Taranaki, and her crew and officers are certain to receive notice to strike when she reaches Onehunga, while the ?.&. CJlenelg's men will have similar action token regarding them on arrival. It is probable that the Thames trade will be carried on for some time solely by the s.s. Kowena, and that the s.s. Rotomnhana be laid up, while tho Tauranga, Whangarei and Northern services will be divided amongst the Wellington, lona, and Chelmsford ; the Clansman being put out of commission, while arrangements are expected to be perfected shortly for the maintenance of the West Coast traffic.

The s.s. Chelmsford, which arrived at two p.m., from Opotiki, with a cargo of 060 sacks maize for transhipment by the Union S.S. Co.'s Manapouri to Sydney, was, like the other vessels of the Northern S.S. Co.'s fleet, left without tho services of her crew for discharging. A gang of amateurs came to the rescue, and, working with spirit, had all the vessel's freight safely landed in the short space of three and a-half hours. Many of these volunteers afterwards assisted in putting in the outward cargo of the s.s. Wellington. The following telegram was forwarded by our Thames correspondent yesterday : — "Just before the advertised time for the Northern S.S. Co.'s Rotomahana's leaving here this morning for Auckland the seamen on board received a telegram from the secretary of the Seamen's Union requesting them to give immediate notice for leaving the steamer, as they would be called out on her arrival in Auckland. Captain Farquhar was at once informed of the message, and as the men stated they should" abide by its instructions, he telegraphed at once to tho manager of the Northern Steamship Company, asking whether the steamer should proceed at once on her trip to Auckland or remain here until to-morrow. A reply was received to delay the steamer until tomorrow, which would permit of the English mail from here being taken up to catch the outward San Francisco boat. Her stoppage caused considerable inconvenience to many intending passengers, and it is probable her accommodation will bo taxed tomorrow, as there are many Auckland travellers here who will take advantage of getting back home by the first opportunity for fear of being stranded here for some time."

Owing to the fact that their steamers have been regularly trading to the coal Sorts of Whangarei and Russell, the orthern S.S. Co. has never accumulated any stock of fuel here or elsewhere for the use of their vessels, and suddenly involved in the big boycott, they are somewhat short of supplies of this essential article. Sufficient for a few days' traffic has been secured, and we understand that the company is perfecting arrangements for obtaining an ample permanent supply. PAYMENT OF FORFEITED WAGES. Amongst the many occurrences of the strike which have either directly or indirectly entailed hardship upon unoffending persons, it is pleasing to hear of one incident which proves that amidst the overturning of many established customs the grand old principle of fair-dealing has not been lost sight of. Although legally entitled to refuse payment of wages to the crews who left their vessels here in contravention of the terms of articles, the Union Company, having no wish to inflict hardship on the individual members of the Seamen's Union, have therefore decided to pay them in full up to date of discharge. By this action the Union S.S. Company will disburse no less a sum than £700. MONSTER LABOUR DEMONSTRATION. As will be seen by announcement elsewhere the various labour organisations in the city intend to hold a monster demonstration this afternoon, which is to take the shape of a procession of the combined bodies through the city up to Mount Eden, where several addresses upon the more important phases of the present industrial crisis will be delivered. The rendozvouz appointed is the foot of Queen-street), where all the

various bodies are to muster about two P-m., and all are requested to bring their banners and other insignia. The march will start half-an-hour later. A strong band of Unionist musicians will head the lino, and the various Unions will follow in order as below, the right to precedence having been determined by lot:—Seamen's Union, Wharf Labourers, Carters, Bakers and Pastrycooks, Coastal Seamen, Engineers, Tailors, Gasworks, Bootmakers, Qumsorters, Cooks, Millhands and Bushmen, Carpenters, Typographical Society, Tanners and Curriers, Saddlers, Shop Assistants, Butchers, Amalgamated Carpenters, Master Engineers and River Service, Railway Eotnployes, Tramway Employes and Millers. Though the members of several of the trades, such as the shop assistants and tramway employes, may experience difficulty in procuring the necessary leave to take part in the demonstration, ib is expectoa that almost every branch of employes in the city will be represented, and the total number in the procession is anticipated to be about 3000. AN INFLAMMATORY PLACARD. The manager of the Northorn Roller Flour Mills saw some of the representatives of the labour bodies relative to an inflammatory placard or handbill which was posted about the town, containing insinuations that tho mills and some of the monied corporations were keeping back food supplies, to raise the price to tho people. He gave the delegates the detailed figures, showing how the advance of £4 was made up, ana the extra charges amounted to £3 14s, leaving a margin of Gs for bad debts. They 'expressed themselves as satisfied of the truthfulness of the explanations made, but said they had nothing to do with what any irresponsible individual pub about, and they disavowed any connection with the placard or its author. Mr. Bust, Secretary of the Trades and Labour Council, had his attention called to the matter, and he desires us to state that he disavows and deprecates in the strongest manner the sentiments contained in the placard in question, which he holds is both mischievous and inflammatory. TIIK UNION COMPANY'S BREAD CONTRACT.

Mr. Crowe, who is tho contractor for bread to the Union Company's vessels, received a warning that he was not to supply bread to the Company, though he is under bond to do so. On calling on Mr. Crowe to ascertain the facts, ho informed the reporter that he meant to fulfil his contract. He had plonty of flour, and he had the labour, so that he meant to go straight ahead with his work. TIIF. effect ON TRADE. Amongst the disastrous local effects of the present labour disorganisation, is the closing of thesmelting operationsat the Onehunga Iron Works, which has been necessitated by the want of coal. Over thirty men are thus thrown out of employment, and the wages and other incidental expenses of the company cannot bo calculated at less than £150 per week. Perhaps one of the hardest cases of innocent persons cruelly punished by the strike is that of Mr. Cook, of the Glassworks, Freeman's Bay. For many years past, this industrious working man has striven late and earl) —no eight hours'system for him —to establish a local industry in the place, to give work and keep money in tho country. Aided by his industrious young sons, he has managed to keep a home together, and pay 20s in the £1, and ib is doubtful but for their aid if he could have done so. Owing to the strike ho will be compelled next week to close up, as he cannot get coke at any price, and coal has risen till it would be simple madness for him to go on manufacturing glassware. He will be compelled to close his furnace, and as soon as it gets cold the whole of his crucibles will be ruined and destroyed. His language as to labour ruining labour—working men ruining working men—is of a very emphatic description. Owing to the advance in the wholesale meat markets, together with the fact of the Northern Steam Company's fleet being laid up, thus cutting off a part of the usual supplies to our markets, the butchers have advanced the price of meat one penny. They hope the strike will soon be over, and prices be again reduced to their usual level. Those of the public running accounts are requested to reduce them to as near cash as possible, as the butchers may be required to pay cash at the wholesale markets on the fall of the hammer.

Our Kawakawa correspondent writes : — " The residents are not a little concerncd at the rapid advances in price of breadstuff, etc., and if the steamers are stopped from running, famine will reign supreme for a time."

At the time of the carters' strike, Mr. Row, who is the contractor for groceries to the Hospital, the Asylum, and the Costley Home, was left to do his best in tho way of supplying these institutions, though ho has been able since to overcome the difficulty. The employees in the timber industry in the Northern mills are considerably disturbed over the strike business. The Kauri Timber Company are at present carrying on half-time, but if they cannot get an outlet for their timber, production will shortly have to cease, and in the country mills, the hands paid off, with the exception of those required to look after tho machinery and buildings. The Whangaroa mill hands are especially badly situated for getting supplies. Another element of trouble is that the flour and preserved meats have gone up so steadily that the gumdiggers are nearly at tho end of their tether, for they can't dispose of their gum to the dealers, who will not purchase it as they don't know when they can get it to Auckland or exported. One gentleman largely interested in the timber trade informed us yesterday that he would not- bo at all surprised, if the situation remained unchanged, at a thousand gumdiggers making their way to Auckland to take their chance of what can be got in tho way of food and work.

Thames, Friday.—The master butchers have formed a Butchers' Association, "with Mr. John Townsend as president. As a result the price of meat has been raised by and Id per lb, according to cut. Christchurch, Friday.—The Belfast Freezing Works close on Tuesday next, on account of scarcity of fuel and the stoppage of business*. Fourteen days' notice of cessation of work has been given at the Kaiapoi Clothing Factory. The Woollen Mill stops this week. RATES OK WAGES. Enquiries have been made art to pay of men on strike were receiving at the time of the strike. The Union Company's officers in vessels other than the collier class were obtaining : Chief officer, £15 ; second, £12. In coasting vessels third of'icer, £9; in intercolonial boats, third officer £10; fourth officer, £8. In colliers, chief officers, £14 ; second officers, £11. Seamen, £7 ; overtime, Is (id an hour ; firemen, £9, ditto ; trimmers, £7, do. Carters, £2 2s per week ; but many employers paid above Union scale up to £2 10s. Lumpers' Union : Owing to the char acter of the work difficult to tell earningspay, Is 3d an hour on general cargo, Is 6d for coal, from eight a.m. to five p.m. ; from five p.m. to eight a.m., 2s per hour. It is stated their average wages would be about £2 to £2 10.% but good men get the run of tho work from the stevedores, and some lumpers have made £4 to £5, and one as high as £7 in a weok under special circumstances. Others again enly earn a few shillings to a pound, if not physically qualified for the work or in the running. It is thus difficult to tell the real earnings, owing to the peculiarities of the calling. About 150 men practically do the work of the wharves. The average amount paid by the Union Company for labour at cargo in Auckland is from £150 to £200 per week, and tho average earnings per man for those regularly employed is £3. When there has been much night work men have earned from £5 to £6 per week from Union Company's work alone. The expressmen have a tariff, and their earnings depend on casual work, or express work for firms, and their pay therefore fluctuates, but on the whole they make a fair living. 'strike pay.

There is likely to be serious dissatisfaction next week, we learn, among many members of the Auckland Unions now on strike, over the question of strike pay. The local Unions, owing to their recent formation, have no reserve funds, not even to give strike pay for a single week to their members. It seems that many of the strikers were under the impression that being called out in connection with the Seamen's Union trouble, they would have a claim on the fund which that body has in reserve, and be paid 30s a week, like the seamen. They find

on inquiry that this in not tho case, and some of them say they are only waiting for Saturday night and the treasurer to determine their future course of action. We understand from the talk current, that the officers of the Unions intend to do their best under the circumstances, namely, to expend the funds at their disposal in relieving the more necessitous, and making men with a little private means,. or more fortunately situated in private life, stand aside. The following telegram from Russell shows that some of the country Unions are in the same position :— It is stated on good authority that the secretaries of tho Coal Miners' and Lumpers' Unions received notice that funds not forthcoming for strike payments." To add to the troubles of the Auckland strikers, there is likely to be a " strike" in a good many family circles. .It is stated that a number of the wives of the strikers have been to see the employers, and ascertain the facts of the strike for themselves. One irate dame gave her "old man a bad quarter of an hour on returning home, and her speech is bub "a sample of the sack" : —" I have been down the town and seen the 1 boss,' and find that you wore in good employment and in good pay when you struck. lam willing to work for my six children and keep them, but if you think that you are going to get me to keep you, while you are loafing about the wharf ' proceshing,' and blatherskiting about the rights of man, you're very much mistaken. If you don't go to work next, week and bring home your money, out of this house you go !" THE CARTERS. On inquiry we learn that Messrs. L. 1). Nathan and Co.'s carters were nob the only men who were loyal to their employers, though members of the Carters' Union. The carters of Messrs. A. Clark and Sons and Messrs. W. McArthur and Co. are also staunch, as well as another member of the Union, who has, it is stated, renounced his membership. ABUNDANCE OF FREE LABOUR. Owing to having a surplus of free labour for present requirements in Auckland, the local manager of the Union S.S. Co. forwarded a batch of seamen and labourers South by the s.s. Penguin yesterday. He subsequently received information from the Hon. C. McLean, the chairman of directors oft ho Company, instructing him to send no further drafts from Auckland, as there was plenty of labour available in the South. THE BARRICADES. As considerable comment has been made about the erection of the barriors upon the wharves, and it has been asserted that the right of granting admission was in the hands of the Union Steamship Company, we are requested to state that some misapprehension has evidently arisen upon the matter, as the Union Company have, since the Harbour Board placed the barricades in position only issued pass-tickets to those whom they had engaged to do work on or at their vessels, and have in no wise attempted to interfere with the right of the public generally to pass to and fro.

"a crukl shame,"

As fin instance of the feelings with which some of the Unionists who are being forced to take part in the present strike view the situation, the following remarks made by one of the men in the Northern S.S. Co.'s employ are worthy of record. "Itis a cruel shame," he said, " that men with families should be called out of their employment when they have no grievance whatever. I will go out of the boat at the call of the Union ; nut I will go out of the Union also, and return to the vessel as a free man, and not as a slave." IK THE COUNTRY. Tk Aroha, Friday. — People here are wondering what the outcome of the strike will be. Its bad effects are being already felt. The flaxmill had to stop till further supplies of coal can be had from Waikato. Our bakers have raised the bread to 4Jd the '21b loaf. BISHOP COWIE OK THE CRISIS. The Bishop of Auckland is announced to preach to morrow evening at St. Matthew's on "The Present Crisis—Capital v. Labour." An utterance at such an anxious moment from such a quarter must necessarily command attention, the Bishop being at the head of the Anglican Communion here. It does not, of course, necessarily follow that precisely the same views may be taken by the whole of his clergy in every detail, yet we may feel pretty certain that he will indicate pretty accurately the general feeling of the Anglican clergy on the subject.

MISCELLANEOUS. Messrs. Hellaby Brothers' men will not go out on strike as the matter of the meat contract has been temporarily arranged. The miners at Huntly (Ralph Bros.' coal mine) have resumed work, owing to the proprietors having given i\ guarantee not to supply the Union Company. IN THE SOUTH. The situation in the South has nob undergone any new phase, as free labour is coming forward freely, the vacancies caused by the Unionists leaving their employment aro being rapidly filled up, and steamers aro being loaded and discharged with increasing expedition. All kinds of business, however, is being greatly impeded and injured by the enforcement of the boycott against the Union Company. The dispute does not appear to be any nearer a settlement, but it is proposed to hold a general conference in Wellington to endeavour to bring about that desirable end. The following Press Association telegrams were received last nighb : — DUNKDIN. Messrs. Cable and Co. who had been entrusted to repair the boilers of the Brunner asked their employees to turn to. The men reported the matter to the Metal Workers' Union, who ordered them to do no work for the Union Company. The carters of Donaghy and Co. carted the flax from Donald, He id, and Co's stores without the Union calling them out. The authorities of the Seamen's Union state that they hove discovered a man at South Dunedin who has been guilty of a breach of the Seamen's Act by distributing certificates. To tost a rumour about it they sent down two men. One of these obtained, they say, a Scotch certificate, but tho younger man could not fret one, as there was none to suit his ago. The certificate which was got has been sent bo the Collector of Customs.

The Union Company brought the Brunner alongside the wharf, to-day, to load grain, which had to be delivered at tho ship's side from railway-trucks. It was anticipated the railway employees would decline to work with the non-Union men who were handling the cargo, bub no objection was made. The grain is believed to be for the Waihora, which will not bo brought to the wharf, but load from the Brunner. Captain Boyd, manager of the New Zealand Shipping Company, received notice from the wharf labourers' secretary that the men would cease discharging the l'iako as the company had advertised for non-Union labour at Lyttelton for the Wairoa. Captain Boyd says he is prepared for any emergency. It is supposed an attempt will be made to block the R.M.s. Tongariro at Wellington on Monday. A carter in tho employ of Messrs. R. Wilson and Co., who had been with the firm for 20 years, to-day refused to take goods to tho Union Company, and he was discharged. To bring matters to a head most of the local merchants have decided to give notice of dismissal, to-morrow, to their storemen unless they leave the Union. LYTTELTON. One hundred and forty-two non-unionist labourers were working in port to-day. The Christchurch City Council's proposal for a conference on, the labour dispute has fallen through for the present. The secretary of the Maritime Council, stated in reply, that negotiations were opened in Dunedin, and proposals had been made to hold a general conference in Wellington, but he did not advise tho appointment of any delegates. WELLINGTON. Everything in connection with the strike is very quiet. Messrs. Cottrell and Co., carriers, having been advised by their solicitors that they could not hold the Maritime Council responsible for any damage they might sustain through the calling out of their carters, have decided to fulfil the carting contract with the Harbour Board by means of free labour. The steamer Jubilee arrived from the South this morning. Her crew, who are Unionists, and several local Union men discharged her. She left for Sydney in the afternoon. There was a little cheering as the vessel left the Wharf.

The Government have chartered the steamer Lawrence to proceed to Greymouth for a cargo of coals.