OUR LETTER HOME.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8355, 8 September 1890, Page 9

OUR LETTER HOME.

'We have no doubt that to all at home it was .i matter of much surprise when telegrams were received stating that there had been something like a general strike of labour in these colonies. It was known that the wages of all working men here were high. Relatively to the wanes paid in England, the v.igts of the'unskilled labour here are the highest, and as we rise in the scale pay approximates till we find that tie 'highest class of work is better paid m England than here, in England strikes are almost invariably on the subject ot wages, and we have nodoubtt hat English readers will be surprised when tin. J learn that the strike at present existing in New Zealand has no connection with 11,0 subject of wages or ot the hours ot hbrai" • |. ( , ">«' who have left, their ;!„Ti.av.- !■«,. ™ receipt * u-nges , vi th which they are quite contented ; pi?ll t hours is a day's work ; and there vv abundance of holidays. I he tight is over the demands of Unionism. _ In •mother column we give various items rejecting the dilliculty, and we chow how the strike has sprtwl till it aners a large tield No one proposes to destroy Trades Unions. It is felt that it would be impossible to do that, and we doubt whether lUiy of the employers consider that if would be desirable. But there is a very general feeling that the Unions, most of which have federated, have been excessive in their demands,' seeking to make their will law in the matters of hours of labour, rates of pay. and as to who shall be employed. Nearly the whole of the coastal steam shipping trade of New Zealand is carried on by the Union Steam Ship Company, which also does nearly all the trade with Australia. This company has to do with several Unions, such as the Seamen's Union, the Wharf Lumpers' Union, the Cooks' and Stewards' Union. Several times demands have been pressed on the company. and the directors have gene- , ally given way. At the present time there is no question between the directors of the company and the men, but they have been dragged into the struggle'by the action of parties in Australia. The Seamen's Union in Australia had certain outstanding questions with the Associated Shipmasters, and a union of officers was also formed. I he Shipmasters' Association declined to yield to the demands of the officers, who had become atliliated with the Seamen's Union. The Union Company of New Zealand had become connected with the Shipmasters' Association of Australia, and were bound to aid them in any struggle with the men. The seamen of - the Union Company demanded that the Union Company should not aid the Australian Shipmasters, and should withdraw from the Association. This the Union Company refused to do, end the men struck. Then followed quickly a series of calamities. The men left the vessels, and in many cases tie officers followed. All the Trades Unions on shore followed. The wharf labourers refu/ed to touch any goods brought by l/nion vessels, and the carters would n/t cart them. The lessons in boycotting which the world has learned during the last few years have not been forgotten. The Union Company have had to lay up several of their vessels. Nearly all the coal-miners throughout the colony have struck, in order that the Union Company's vessels should not get any coal. The Auckland district is not a large producer of wheat, and at the present season we are dependent for the food supply on imports from the South. These are stopped, and the price of Hour lias been considerably advanced. It is calculated that about 2000 men have within the last few days thrown themselves out of work, not because they have any grievance against their employers, but simply because the Trades Unions have determined to punish the Union Steamship Company for their connection with the Shipmasters' Association of Australia. It is difficult to see how the contest is to be brought to an end. So far as New Zealand is concerned, there is not much fear of serious disturbance. The seaports are small compared with such places as Sydney and Melbourne. There is a small permanent force under arms at each of the principal towns, and if necessary these men will aid the police to maintain order. One extraordinary feature in the matter is, to see how men who have been for years in one employment, who are content with their wages, and who are on the best of terms with their employer, at once throw down their tools when "called out" by the officer of their Union. What the efTect of all this will be it is impossible to say. It would seem impossible to avoid the occurrence of a good deal of distress, as the Unions are not provided with funds to give strike pay. Parliament has been in session during the month, but in all probability will get through the business by the end of the present week, when it will be at once prorogued. A dissolution will follow, and then the elections for the new Parliament, which will take place about the beginning of November. The present House consists of 91 European members, and the new districts have been arranged so as to return only 70. The business which has been under discussion has been of only local interest, and indeed public attention has been so exclusively devoted to the strikes that the proceedings in Parliament have attracted only a small amount of attention. Mr. Hutchison has been served with a writ at the instance of Sir Frederick Whitaker. Mr. Hutchison's speech was spoken in his place in the House of Representatives, and so is protected by privilege ; but it is said that he made alterations in his speech as it was printed, and he had it reprinted in pamphlet form, and circulated through the country. In this way he loses his privilege and becomes amenable to the Courts. The Opposition in the beginning of the session endeavoured to force a dissolution, and having been beaten in this, certain members of the party determined to obstruct the Estimates, and the business generally, to compel the Government to take supplies for only a limited period. After some delay an agreement has been come to, under which the business will be put through. Certain Bills are to he dropped, while others are to be lairly discussed. The Estimates as framed by the Government have been opposed on a number of particulars, and have been subjected to considerable curtailment. A bill lias been passed through Parliament to complete the title of the Admiralty to certain allotments of land fronting Auckland harbour, on A'hich a, commodore's house can be erected, and other necessary buildings tor the headquarters of a section of the Australasian fleet. The land is near the Calliope Dock, which is capable of taking in any vessel of the navy. I he September criminal sittings of the Supreme Court were opened on Monday, and are now proceeding. The calendar was exceptionally heavy that is to say, the gravity of the offences was unusual. There were two charges of murder on the list, but one of these that in which William black was charged with murdering Robt. Streeter, in Gisborne, was only heard in Auckland because a change of venue had 4>cen applied for. After a prolonged '.Sfrial of three days, the prisoner was acquitted. The other charge of murder,

lias not yet been heard. It is a charge against Henry Funcke of wilfully shooting Constable McLeod. The circumstances of the case are somewhat peculiar, and the shot tired does not appear to have been aimed at the unfortunate constable who was its victim, but at the captain of a steamer oil' which Funeko had been put ashore for misconduct. The other charges comprise housebreaking, burglary, perjury, and false pretences, but none ot' these cases aro of more than local interest.