THE SHIPPING STRIKE IN AUSTRALIA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8361, 15 September 1890, Page 5

THE SHIPPING STRIKE IN AUSTRALIA.

MANIFESTO BY THE EMPLOYERS.

THEIR ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE UNIONS.

THE CONFERENCE RESOLUTIONS

THE UNIONISTS AND THE

MANIFESTO.

EXTENSION OF THE STRIKE. Press Association.—Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.

[Received September 14, 10.50 a.m.]

Sydney, September 13. The employers have issued a manifesto which says that it is fit and proper that their representatives should express sincere regret that owing to the unreasonable and antagonistic attitude assumed by labour, as directed by leaders of the Unions, a strike so farreaching in its effects, and of so severe a character, should exist, but it is nevertheless their duty to assert that the causes leading to the strike cannot in the remotest degree be traced to any action of the employers. After traversing the causes of the strike, the manifesto goes on to _ say that in the rules of the trades Unions, it is sought by stringent regulations to secure a monopoly of work, and limit membership, and that this is not only an injustice to a large amount of labour outside their ranks, but contributes to an undue interference by labour organisations with trade in the colonies. The tactics adopted deserve, in their opinion, severe condemnation. Foremost of these is the unjust combination of various Unions to boycott trade so as to enforce the demands of J any particular Union concerned, and i also the edicts which are being issued by them that the produce of these colonies—viz., coal and other minerals,wool, j wheat, and other products from land — must not be carried or shipped if, at any period of their production or J transit, labour outside of any trade i organisation had been employed. As to internal trade, efforts are made to prevent supplies of raw materials to manufactories employing free labour, and in the disposal of manufactured articles every opposition is given to legitimate business. It is still more extraordinary that the necessaries of life are in some instances refused to those who withhold their compliance with the demands of Trades Unions. By intimidation, as practised by trade Unionists, free labourers are prevented by acts of personal violence from following their lawful occupation. In order to enforce the edicts already mentioned, members of labour Unions, whether directly or indirectly concerned or not, are compelled by the leaders to leave their employment, frequently contrary to their own desire, and with a disregard to legal obligations. The employers, in the course of their trade, have also to contend with the fact that labour Unions ; the agreements made by them in ' corporate capacity with employe .d, if it suits the purpose of the moment to repudiate them. The incidents which have occurred during the present strike give abundant proof of the correctness of this assertion. For instance, the agreement lately made by the wharf labourers of Sydney was openly violated within a few days of its completion. The present strike, the manifesto says, was forced on the employers. In opposing it passive resistance only was offered, and while employers endeavoured to conduct their businesses by the aid of free labour, they have not sought in any way to assail Unionism, although they have striven to counteract its abuses.

The proceedings at the conference set forth the following resolutions : — " That this conference re-affirms the freedom of contract, and its intention to resist intimidation and boycotting by united action, and declines to be coerced into dismissing any labour taken into its service during the present emergency ; and that it will take all possible means to ensure personal safety, interests, and discipline, and protection of life and property." " That this Conference shall engage not to retain in its employ owners, captains, or members of Unions who are affiliated to any of the various labour organisations." " That with a view of the extension of the various employers' Unions, it is desirable to encourage the employers in small trades to form Unions, the latter, in turn, to form Federal Councils in each colony ; all such Councils to federate."

" That this Conference desires a speedy termination of the present unsatisfactory state of affairs in order to facilitate the resumption of trade." Employers are also urged to proclaim as soon as possible the terms on which their engagements were made. The representatives of the men on strike state that they are perfectly willing to meet the employers, and are fully prepared to forego a portion of their demands, but say it is absolutely necessary that the owners agree to the fundamental principle of unionism, thaton ly Union men shall be employed, and that the Officers Association shall be allowed to use their own discretion as to the advisableness of affiliating with the labour bodies. The Committee wore unable to agree on the question of non-Union shearers, but it, is understood that if employers will consent to recognise Trade Unionism in its entirety, the members of the Onions are prepared to sign an agreement that no further demands will be made for a long period. The Labour Defence Committee are considering the. manifesto recently issued by the employers. Mr. Davis, of the Seamen's Union, states that the manifesto shows clearly that the prime object of the employers is to crush Trades Unionism in all its forms. The total contributions to the strikers' fund so far amounts to £5300. [Received September 15, 12.45 a.m.] Sydney, September 14. The Labour Defence Committee has called out the trolly and draymen, and it is expected that fully 1000 will be on strike to-morrow. The men had decided on their own account to demand that their wages should be from 40s to 45s per week, according to the number of horses they drove, and that twelve hours be a day's ork. They also stipulated that meal hours were to be included in the twelve hours, and that they should knock-off at three o'clock on Saturday afternoons. The Broken Hill minors and owners will holda conference in Melbourne at an early date, and as the strike is the outcome of the Maritime difficulty it is understood that representatives _ from both sides from all parts of colonies interested will be invited to attend, with the view of arranging a general settlement of the labour struggle. Newcastle;, September 14. Owing to free labour working the cranes, the Jubilee and other Unionist steamers have had to load coal in wheelbarrows and baskets. Nineteen of the crew of the steamer Santon have been arrested for refusing to shovel a small quantity of coal from the top of the hatchways, so that the hatches might be put on.

forwarded £100 in aid of the Australian strikers. National Coal porters Union will forward £100 a week. THE SHIPOWNERS' AND THE OFFICERS. London, September 13. The Shipowners' Federation shoV great determination to prevent officers affiliating with labour organisations, and exhibit great firmness in defence of the officers who decline to become Unionists, and are actively supplying non-Unionist labour so as to overcome the strike. A DISPUTE AT THE DOCKS. London, September 12. A further dispute has arisen with tlio Dock Company owing to the latter retaining the service oj a ganger who is unpopular among the men. UNIONISTS~AND LASCARS. < London, September 12. The strikers refuse to allow Lascar sailors to discharge the barges into the P. and O. Company's vessels.