THE STRIKES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8404, 4 November 1890, Page 5

THE STRIKES.

ACUTE DISTRESS PREVAILING. STRIKE OF FREE LABOURERS. THE ACTION OF THE OFFICERS. Press Association. Telegraph.— [Received November 4, 1.10 a.m.] Sydney, November 3. The Labour Defence Committee have not yet received any information from London about the, loan of £20,000. Acute distress prevails among the wives and families of those on strike. The quantity of wool received up to date as compared with the corresponding period last year, shows a decline of 50,000 bales. Sixty free labourers in the Australian United Company's wharf struck work to-day, refusing to work with constant men. Their places were immediately filled. Melbourne, November 3. The Conference of Pastoralist Unions has resolved to affiliate with the All Australasian Pastoral ists. Melbourne, November 2. The officers have written to ths steamship owners submitting to them their views. Their claims include the right to combine, increase cf salary, and the establishment of three watches. The owners have replied recognising the first claim, and informing the officers that an increased scale of wages has been adopted. The officers' claim with respect to watches is still under the consideration of the owners. The assurances given by the owners have been accepted by the officers. The leaders of the strike loudly disclaim against the officers for their ingratitude in withdrawing from the Labour Defence Committee.

Brisbane, November 2. The Australian Labour Federation have issued a manifesto to the Queensland unions recommending the members to return to work. The opinion is expressed that it is hopeless to prolong the fight. The circular states that the committee endeavoured to secure the simultaneous return to work throughout Australia, but their efforts in this direction were unsuccessful. It concludes, "We came out pledged to stand together. Let us go back together beaten, but neither disbanded nor disgraced." THE ENGLISH UNIONS AND THE STRIKE. London, November 2. A circular, issued by the Trades' Council, states that the various trades in England have sufficient funds in reserve to enable them to grant the loan of £20,000 required by the Australian strikers if the respective unions are agreeable to the funds being devoted to that object. The circular also appeals to the unions in Canada and the United States to render monetary assistance to the strikers m Australia. [Received November 4, 12.30 a.m.] London, November 3. The Executive of the Typographical Society has advised the London compositors to abstain from further subscribing to the Australian strike fund. [Received Noyember 4, l.SOa.iu.] London, November 3. The seamen at Cardiff are insisting that only unionists shall be employed. The shipowners are resolute that they shall employ free labour if they so desire. Mr. Tom Mann, speaking at Wapping, said the laying up of vessels would mean social revolution and a triumph for foreigners, and it was impossible to declare war against half a million workmen, their wives and children. The shipowners threaten to organise free men in all branches of the shipping trade to checkmate the labour federation. THE SYDNEY DELEGATE. London, November 2. Mr. Fitzgerald, in the course of n interview with a Lloyds' Weekly reporter, denied that the officers were affiliated with the Trades Hall, and mentioned that the latter had simply assisted the lock-out. The steamship owners, he said, had broken their promise of increase of pay to the officers, and lie accused them of conspiracy against the men generally. He admitted the strikers in Sydney were not prepared to stand a siege, and probably some of the strikers were in a starving condition. Mr. Martin, in the National Review, severely condemns the unionists of Australia. Mr. Fitzgerald, in replying to Mr. Martin, states the latter is out of touch with the colonies. The strike was first with labour, but now it is capital on strike against labour and the public. Mr. Davitt has proceeded to Dublin, to arrange for . the reception of Mr. Fitzgerald there in December. The Earl of Dunraven is enquiring of Mr. Fitzgerald the condition of workingmen in Australia. THE END OF THE STRIKE IN NEW ZEALAND. [BY TELEGRAPH.— OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Monday. The men recently on strike assembled on the wharf this morning in large numbers. There were some two hundred altogether. One of the first things they ' ear l was that all the " permanent billets" were filled up, and that they must be content to take what work would be offered. During the day a good many men were employed, free labourers and unionists alike] The next piece of information which was disclosed to the workmen was that the free labourers had formed a union, and than although only in existence since Saturday evening their union was already very strong. This union starts with the entire approval of the employers. The Union Company will start several vessels running: within the next few days. The time the strike was on , lias been utilised by the vessels being overhauled on the patent slip in Evans' Bay. The Mahinapua and Takapuna will be in commission immediately. The firstnamed vessel came off the slip on Saturday. The Orowaiti came off the slip this morning, making a place for the Takapuna. A large number of men have gone up the Wairarapa country in quest of work.

THE RAILWAY SERVANTS. CimisTCHURCK, Monday. The executive of the Society of Railway Servants have decided that all hands now out should apply for re-employment in the service, and be allowed to sign the Commissioners' note of agreement, without prejudice to their position as unionists, It was also resolved to at once take a ballot of all the members as to whether the society's connection with the Maritime Council shall be continued. The executive state that over half those who struck have accepted employment on the Commissioners' terms. Christchuecii, Monday. The wharf labourers at Lyttelton, though willing to work, object to apply through the labour bureau established during the strike, as they say they would have to be selected by men who are not acquainted with their capabilities or the nature of their work. Dukedix, Monday. None of the wharf labourers out on strike • who have decided to return to work secured work at Dunedin to day, as not much work was doing. A number waited on the Union Company, but were informed that at present there are no vacancies. Mr. J. Mills, stevedore, of Port Chalmers, however, took on a number. The strike, as far as Oneliunga is concerned, is ended, as a number of lumpers made application for employment on board the Northern and Union Company's steamers yesterday. Two or three were employed on the s.s. but the Wanaka was worked with free labour.