LABOUR IN ENGLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8375, 1 October 1890, Page 5

LABOUR IN ENGLAND.

THE DOCKERS' UNIONS.

EMPLOYMENT OF FOREIGN

SAILORS.

WAGES IN THE IRON TRADE. PROPOSED REDUCTION. Prets Astociatum.—Electric Telegraph.—-Copyright. London, September 29. The Dockers' unions hold a congress to-morrow. The balance-sheet to be presented shows that during the half-year ended June 30 the income was £19,500 and the expenses £14,000, including £10,700 strike pay. Members' wages had been increased by 5s 6d per week, taking the average all round, and two thousand more men are now employed in London than before the strike. The president's address speaks in flattering terms of the enormous assistance afforded by Australia. The Union Company have engaged fifty foreign sailors, and if successful other steam companies will follow suit. London, September 30. Seven thousand steel workers in the south of Wales have accepted a sliding scale of waeres. The Board of Employers in the Midland Counties have decided to reduce the wages of ironworkers by five per cent.

London Via Albany), August ?2. A meeting of the Shipowners' Association, convened by the president of the Chamber of Shipping of the United Kingdom, was held in London on August 19, to consider the present serious state of affairs in connection with trades unions and strikes. Seventy members were present, including representatives of companies, shipping organisations, and other bodies, from London, Liverpool, Glasgow, Newcastle-on-Tyne, Hull, Sunderland, Cardiff, Bristol, Southampton, West Hartlepool, Belfast, Newport (Mon.), Middleton-on-Tees, &c. The cliainimn was Mr. T. L. Devitt, president of the Chamber of Shipping of the United Kingdom, and a member of the firm of Messrs. Devitt and Moore, Australian shippers. A resolution was passed, " That in the opinion of this meeting it is expedient to constitute a central association of shipowners and others consisting of Mie various protecting and other associations, and also shipping and other companies, and shipowners not entered in any protecting indemnity or other associations, for the purpose of protecting the interoeta of shipowners against ihe unreasonable demands or actions of trades unions or combinations effecting strikes and affecting such interests." A committee was appointed for the purpose of carrying into effect the above resolution. It was also resolved to invite associations to send representatives to a farthei meeting on the 2nd September. The movement thus set on foot is likely to assume yreat magnitude, and to play a most important role in the future relations of employers and employed in the British shipping industry. It embraces practically the whole of the tonnage of the United Kingdom, for though there are some companies not connected with the proposal referred to, they are expected to join. The trades unionists are likely to find before long a combination representing a capital of £78,000,000 to oppose them in their agitation. The associations themselves represent £45,000,000. They will make a call on the members to contribute according to requirements. The funds are practically unlimited. If necessary, they would lay ships up and pay the owners for the loss sustained, or would prevent ships being navigated except by crews outside the men's unions. It is firmly believed that the object sought by the proposed combination will be obtainable if the owners only keep together, and they aro ex]>ected to do so. The London dockers are also in their turn starting a new movement;. At the Hyde Park demonstration on Sunday, August 17, Mr. Burns remarked that it was intended to arrange for work on co-operative principles, and gave an outline of a scheme now being formulated. When it is thought advisable that certain works can be performed by piecework, and an agreement can be made for this purpose, ib shall be arranged on terms that the work be offered direct to the men on a certain agreed price, the men forming themselves into a company or gang to undertake it on co operative principle, one of the number being appointed a leader with tho concurrence of the company, and acting as the responsible representative, the agreement to be drawn up and signed before each job. Instructions will also be given to the leader by the head of the department, who retains power to veto the employment of anyone guilty of frose misconduct; otherwise there are no restrictions to tho formation of the gang. The leader receives the contract price for the job, distributing to the men as agreed. The company are to assist and examine the accounts if desired, an addition to the tonnage rate is to be allowed for work during overtime hours, reasonable intervals for refreshments are to be arranged, and disputes between the head of the department and the leader are to be referred by the superintendent for final appeal to the directors.