THE STRIKES IN NEW ZEALAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8360, 13 September 1890, Page 5

THE STRIKES IN NEW ZEALAND.

WORK BEING RESUMED.

DISORDERLY PROCEEDINGS AT

WELLINGTON.

SPECIAL CONSTABLES ENROLLED.

STRIKE PAY.

During yesterday, two movements were made in Auckland which apparently foreshadow an approaching dissolution of the strike, or at least show strongly that the influence of the Maritime Council to keep large bodios of men indefinitely away from their regular employment has failed, so far as two important divisions are concerned. The steps referred to were the wholesale resumption of work by the Unionist carters, and an offer of the S.S. Co.'s officers to go back to their vessels whenever called upon. These important movements were hailed with general satisfaction by the public, and many wore not slow to predict that the example thus set will be speedily followed by other bodies now out on strike.

THE NORTHERN COMPANY'S OFFICERS.

The action of some of tho officers of the Union S.S. Co. who had struck returning to their vessels at Wellington, has, evidently, not been without its effect upon those located here. Yesterday a number of those recently in the employ of the Northern S.S. Co. waited upon Mr. Ranson, the general manager of the company, and expressed their willingness to return to work on tho steamers whenever called upon. Mr. Ranson informed them that ho had a numerous list of applications for officers' situations upon the various vessels on the fleet, and that they could enroll themselves amongst these free officers, when their claims to a position would bo considered in due course.

THE CARTERS RESUME WORK. During yesterday the wharves and adjacent thoroughfares presented a much busier appearance than they had dono during the past week, owing to the fact that the large number of Unionist carters who had been out on strike had resumed work. Those who had been lucky enough to secure billets with their old employers were to be seen busily carting goods about the city, and no distinction was made as to whether tho said goods were from a boycotted steamer, or whether the employing firm had also free labour engaged on 'its behalf. The expressmen were all lined up, some thirty strong, at their old stand, opposite the Thames Hotel, in Customs-street, and eagerly accepted any job that was proffered them. The cargo ex the Union S.S. Company's steamers Manapouri and Southern Cross was not refused, and a considerable quantity of it was taken away for delivery by tho Unionist drivers, notwithstanding that free carters wore similarly employed. Tho large quantity of potatoes brought up from Napier by the s.s. Kahu, which were landed by her Union crew in conjunction with Union lumpers, were stacked on the wharf, none being delivered yesterday, but they will be conveyed to their destination without trouble to-day. A good proportion of the striking drivers were fortunate enough to secure positions with their old " bosses," and were apparently very pleased to be back again. Others found that their voluntary leaving work had deprived them of what had been a good billet. Of tho master carters none have so far taken back any of the Unionists at the expense of those free drivers who came to their aid when they were stuck up. Mr. G. Cammed had several of his old employees back yesterday, but his free drivers are to be still kept on. Messrs. Butcher and Co, al*o state their intention nor to part with those free labour men they have had to employ during the strike, and Messrs. Morpeth and Winstone will take similar action. When approached by the Unionists in search of a job yesterday, Messrs. W. and (J. Winstone gave the men clearly to understand that they would not only not dismiss their free labour, but reserved to themselves tho right to discharge any of their drivers at a minute's notice if they thought advisable. They had themselves been hampered and inconvenienced twico by their carters striking without any notice whatever, and they now that it was duo to themselves to have the right of prompt dismissal. The returned drivers demurred at this straight demand, but after taking an hour to consider the matter, accepted the position as laid down by the firm. During the afternoon a rumour gained currency that Mr. J. J. Craig, the wellknown carrier and coal merchant had discharged all the free labour men he had employed during tho strike, and taken all his old carters back. This report occasioned considerable surprise, and much regret was expressed that any employer should have thrown over the men who, in face of heavy opposition, and possible intimidation, had aided him to carry on business when no other help was available. On applying to Mr. Craig however, we found that this report, like so many others that have been flying about re strike matters, was altogether without foundation. Owing to the accumulation of orders, Mr. Craig is very busy just now and had a large number of men including the free labour who have been employed recently, and a number of Unionists who applied for work yesterday, busily engaged in making up for lost time.

IN THE SOUTU. Wellington was yesterday again tho scene of a somewhat disorderly {lathering. At five o'clock, when the free labourers ceased work for the day, a crowd numbering several hundred had assembled in the vicinity 'of the wharf. In anticipation of a disturbance the authorities had taken extensive precautions. One hundred and thirty-three special constables had been enrolled, end these, together with tho town and country police, were on duty to afford the non-unionists protection. Beyond, however, somo rough horse play no serious disturbance took place. Strike pay is to bo paid to-day. At Napier the work of loading the frozen-meat stea mers is being expeditiously carried on by free labourers, while the men on strike, who were each earning over a pound a day, stand idly by, somo of them bitterly resenting the action of the Maritime Council in compelling them to give up such lucrative employment. At other ports the ordinary work is being done as if no strike existed. The following Press Association telegrams were received yesterday : — WELLINGTON. In the House this morning, replying to Mr. Mackenzie (Clutha) as to whether the Government intended taking some steps for affording protection to the citizens of Wellington in the present crisis of affairs, Captain Russell said he had reason to believe that steps were being taken which would prevent a recurrence of any disturbances such as those which occurred yesterday. He understood that a number of special constables were being sworn in; but that was, of course, more a matter for the Justices than the Defence Department. These special constables would afford protection to free labour in every possible way. There was considerable excitement about the Queen's Wharf in the latter part of the afternoon, it being anticipated that further attempts might bo made to molest free workers when leaving the wharf. One hundred and thirty-three special constables, drawn from the principal business men of the city, who had been sworn in today, were paraded at four o'clock on that portion of the wharf which is barricaded, and almost all tho city and country constables were also pres^nt. Shortly after o'clock a crowd began to collect, and by five o'clock there must have been quite 500 persons in the vicinity of the shore end of the wharf. Foot and mounted police, however, managed to keep the crowd off the wharf, so as to allow the free workers a clear path. Shortly before five o'clock a detachment of special constables arrived with batons, and wearing badges. They were despatched to various parts of the town where it was thought violence might be attempted. A few minutes after tho " knock off" bell rang on the wharf, the free labourers could be seen coming to the number of a dozen, and excitement ran high. They made straight for the town, and were protected by a detachmonb of special and ordinary constables. The men walked up the centre of the road, through Customhouse, Quay, Willis, and Manners streets, and to their homes, under escort.

The streets were thronged principally by those attracted out of curiosity, and all wheeled traffic was " almost' entirely suspended for a time. At each street corner vast crowds had congregated, and the contables had to force a passage. There was a considerable amount of horse-play and hooting galore, but no indications of a hostile demonstration. The crowds hung about the streets until six o'clock, when they gradually dispersed. The spee'U constables, who on more than one occasion were cheered, were then dismissed until tomorrow. They have been sworn in to render service until the 30th instant. The arbitrators appointed to consider the question of the Gear Meat Co. supplying the Union Company's vessels with meat, met to-day. It was pointed out that if the contract were broken the Union Company would reap the advantage, inasmuch as they would receive the penalty of £400 which the Gear Company render themselves liable to. The rosult of the meeting was that t'"» Gear Co. are to continue to supply vesao.s as usual. The Unionists intend to start a co-opera-tivo store.

Strike pay begins to-morrow. Over 20 cooks and stewards have returned to the Union Co.'s service. Two men were arrested for a breach of the peace this afternoon, one of them for jeering at the specials. Tlios. Lewis and a collier were charged with assault. Mr. Jollicoe said the Maritime Council had now issued a manifesto calling on all Unionists to keep order and do their best to preserve the peace. He added that the Maritime Counoil and Federated Trades and Labour Council would not in future be responsible for any rows, and the individuals concerned in them could not look to these bodies for support or protection. They would have to answer the charges on their own account. The Crown Prosecutor said, in the face of this statement, ho would, seeing the assaults were nob of i serious nature, ask that the charges be withdrawn. Mr. Robinson, Resident Magistrate, agreed to this. The Court was crowded to suffocation, and there was some applause on the decision being announced, but it was quickly suppressed. The charges against T. Beveridge of obstructing and inciting, and Andrew Nelson and Nicholas Calogorlas, were remanded until Tuesday.

In an interview with a Times reporter the President of the Federated Trades Council said that one of the most difficult questions to settle in connection with the present dispute was non-Unionist labour, and though anxious for a settlement they would not submit to the crushing of tho Unions. He also mentioned that money was coining in well, and there was no danger about funds. Mr. Fisher, secretary of the Council, stated there were 60,000 Unionists in the colony. He calculated about 1200 men were on strike here, and about 4500 all over the colony. He said the two parties in Australia should bo compelled to fettle their difficulties within a given time, and failing doing so the shipowners and Unions in New Zealand should secede from the other colonies. New Zealand has nothing to complain of, and all that is wanted is to revert to the status quo ante. The Couucil, he says, are quite willing to withdraw, and supposing the Union Company would not, employers and employed should combine to force them to it. Several employers, when interviewed, said the Unionists must abandon the rule which forbids members of Unions working alongside non-Union labour, and in all cases employers will resist coercion among workmen. A clear and distinct agreement was come !to among the employers that all non-Union workers who had taken the place of strikers shall be retained. All employers are agreed that there, is no scarcity of labour. LYTTELTON. A mass meeting of Lyttelton Unionists this afternoon unanimously passed a resolution disapproving of the recent disturbance, repudiating any knowledge of the same, and deciding never to countenance anything of the kind as being a disgrace to Unionism, and opposed to its best interests.

At a special meeting of the Harbour Board this morning, the chairman was authorised to appoint extra night watchmen on the wharves. The whole of the Board's staff, numbering over 40, have been appointed special constables to bo sworn in should any emergency arise. The newlyformed Employers' Association elected Mr. G. T. Booth, president; Mr. C. G. Stead, vice president; and appointed Mr. Robert Allan, formerly of Light band, Allan, and Co., secretary. PICTON.

As far as Picton is concerned, the strike may be considered almost ended. On Wednesday, to meet a probable refusal to work the Grafton, the Union Steamship Company's agent took down non-Union labour, and got the boat away next morning. Before he left Picton last night eight Unionists waited on him, and, of their own free will, gave him a signed agreement, throwing off allegiance to the Maritime Council, and others, it is said, are willing to do the same. They will be tested tomorrow when the Kanieri comes in. At nine yesterday morning the Maritime Council called out the railway employes, but they refused to recognise the call.

NAPIER. The Star of Victoria was easily loaded by free labour to-day. The stevedores assert the meat was never shipped so fast. The strikers looked on, some grumbling at being deprived against their will of work at whicn they could make over a pound a day. On Tuesday, the last day they worked, each man received '21s 6d. There was a good deal of rough chaff, bu*- strong feeling was manifested against only one man who had seceded from the Union, saying he had a wife and family to keep and would not be deprived of work at the beck of the Maritime Council. Thestevodores working^ for the Tyser, Shaw and Savillo, and New Zealand Shipping lines to-day signed a contract under bond to employ only non-Union labour in future. They say they were compelled to this course by the Unionists on the Star of Victoria being called out after the Maritime Council had promised to load the vessel. They also allege that this action was in direct contravention of rule 2 of the Wharf Labourers' Union.