THE STRIKES IN LONDON.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 915, 13 September 1889, Page 25

THE STRIKES IN LONDON.

By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. [per press association.] London, September 4." The situation between the Dock Companies and the strikers remains unchanged, and both aides show a dogged resolution not to give way. The steamer Liguria, which has been detained for soma days, sailed for Australia to-day. The New Zealand Shipping Company’s Kaikoura succeeded in landing six thousand carcases of mutton. Out of 900,000 members of tbo various trades unions, 40,000 have giveu a vote in favour of the eight hour system, while 63,000 oppose. The remaining members were silent on the Question.

The Antwerp wool sales have closed. For superior and medium liiver Plate wool prices remained firm, but for inferior sorts and lambswool prices were weak. One thousand bales of Australian wool sold at prices fully equal to those obtained at the London sales in July. Altogether 18,000 bales Were offered, of which 12,400 were sold. London, September 5. The vast majority of the labourers on the wharveß on the Middlesex side of the river have resumed work, and some of those on the Surrey side. The Strikers’ Committee are yielding to the demands of the wharfingers and. granary merchants, and have allowed the strikers to resume work where the demands have been conceded.

The dock companies propose a conference with the shipowners relative to unloading vessels at the earliest; possible moment. The strike is extending to the iron, building and timber trades, although v

not to the general trades. The lightermen and watermen preserve the same attitude of resistance, but many of the wharf labourers and granarymeu are accepting work again on the concession agreed to yesterday of 6d an ' hour ordinary, and 8d overtime, 2s to be the minimum, abolition, of contracts, and sharing profits equally with foremen. Burns desires to arrive at a .rapid settlement with, the wharf owners in order to isolate the docks. The generosity of Australian unions has aroused the utmost; enthusiasm, especially as plenty of sympathy was received from tha United totates and Canada, but no money.

Mr Burns states that if the Dock; Companies are compelled to give in the strikers will demand 7d an hour* for ordinary hours and 9d per hcui? overtime.

The Amalgamated Engineers’ Union have made a lew of 3d per man on 60,000 members in aid of the strikers. Other unions are also rendering financial assistance.

The Directors of the Dock Companies* have appealed for police protection, for the men who have resumed work. Lonbon, September 6. The lightermen have agreed to cutdertake work for firms who have conceded the strikers’ demands. Up to the present the strike ha& cost at million and a half pounds. The Dock Committee report that: more men are working at the Jocks than before the strike.

Mr Burns had an interview to-day with the Lord Mayor, Cardinal Manning, Bishop Temple, Sir John Lubbock., M.P., and Lord Brassey at the Mansion House, when h© agreed that the strikers should resume work at the old rate of wages, providing that the Dock Companies conceded that the. demands of. the strikers should taka, effect from and after January first. The Directors of the Dock Companies have intimated to the strike* leaders that a reply will be forwarded, to-morrow. v

Forty members of the Corn. Exchange have warned the Dock Companies that they will hold them responsible for any loss they may incur owing; to the delay in the discharge of vessels*. London, September 7. The Dock Companies and Mr leader of the stiikers, have accepted, the proposals of tfao Lord Mayor, andj the strike has ended.

London, September 8.. : Th,s>. strikers’ committee has refused, to ratify Burns’ acceptance of the Lord Mayor’s proposal. Sydney, September At a mass meeting of sympath.

With the London strikers, LI2OO was collected. The coal lumpers have voted L 250. The Newcastle miners propose to vote LIOOO in aid of the strikers.

September 7

The additional demands of the men have been conceded, and the Dock Companies have agreed to pay casual hands 6d an hour after Ist January next if the strikers resume on Monday and guarantee not to molest the labourers now at work. The Companies declare that owing to the grave assertions made by the Lord Mayor, Cardinal Manning, and Bishop Temple the public peace has been endangered, and the Companies can no longer freely exercise their unfettered judgment. They complain that they have been obliged to yield to outside pressure, which is a dangerous departure In disputes between employers and workmen. They add that they have been largely influenced in their decision by the assurance of shipowners and merchants that the public are willing to bear the increased charges. September 8.

The strikers have published a manifesto refusing to grant the Dock Companies better terms than those granted to the wharfingers and stevedores. The sailors and firemen will resume work for anybody granting the labourers their demands. The lightermen will also resume if the advance to 63 per day is conceded. The Trades Council unanimously rejected a motion calling for a return showing how the votes of the separate trades were cast upon the eight hours principle,which was rejected last week by a large majority. September 9. Lord Mayor Whitehead, Cardinal Manning and Bishop Temple jointly publish a letter stating that they are unable to understand the rejection of their proposals by the men. If they persist in it the strikers will justly forfeit public sympathy. It is stated the men will resume work if the 6d an hour rate begins in October, and the Lord Mayor is trying to induce the companies to grant the increase at an earlier date than January, as at first arranged. Melbourne, September 9. The fund in aid of the London dock strikers has reached L6BOO. London, September 9, Public opinion is incensed at the leaders of the strikers in refusing the terms of Lord Mayor Whitehead, Cardinal Manning, and Bishop Temple. Mr Burns persists in denying that he accepted the compromise, but Lord Mayor Whitehead and the rev. gentlemen associated with him declare to the contrary. Several of the strikers’ pickets have been totally blinded by quicklime thrown by a man who -was wishing to obtain work. Fifty wharfingers have granted the men’s demands. The merchants of Mark Lane have petitioned the Government to suppress the practice of picketing. The Dock Companies declare that the workmen of the East End of London are under a reign of terror. London, September 10. The Dock Companies assert that they have reached the limit of concession, which they calculate will cost them L 70,000 per annum- The city men assert that the extra expense will not be more than L 20,000. Negotiations with the shipowners are suspended until the Lord Mayor has completed his work of mediation. Burns says the support of the Australian colonies has proved the backbone ol the strike.

Melbourne, September 10. The strike fund has reached J-/9300.

SPECIAL. London, September 5. Sir E. W. Watkins, M.P. for ITytbe, is urging ths dock companies to concede the demands of the men. Mr H. Broadhursfc, member for Nottingham, hag been made the object of attacks in connection with the strike. At the annual meeting of the Trades Congress a vote of confidence in him was passed by an immense majority. The lightermen who originally struck out of sympathy with the dockmen are now insisting on.an increase of wages for themselves to 6d an hour for 12 hours’ work.

It is expected the strike will gradually subside. Eifty printers have been conceded an advance of LI per week for 10 hour 3 a day. The tailors’ riot in the East End was quelled without difficulty, but shere was nothing very serious in it.

Seven thousand strikers have resumed work. London - , September 6.

The proprietors of 17 wharves and warehouses have conceded the labourers’ demands, but 40 others still stand out. The Surrey, Commercial, and Millwall Dock Companies are parleying with the strikers. Mr Burns says they will defeat the enemy by sections. Cardinal Manning considers that the orderly conduct and heroism of the strikers is unequalled since the days of the cotton famine. Scores of minor strikes have taken place, in the majority of which the men have been victorious.

Berlin, September 6. The London Dock strike is being discussed in Germany. The Emperor William considers that the State must protect workmen against capitalists, and announces that in the ensuing session of the Reichstag legislation will be undertaken for the purpose of ameliorating the condition of the labouring classes. London, September 8. Lord Mayor Whitehead accuses the strikers of a breach of faith in refusing to accept the compromise. At a meeting in Hyde Park, Mr Burns stated ho merely undertook to submit the proposals to the executive. The rejection was unanimous, and so there was an opinion that mediation is a mistake.

London, September 10, Thirty wharf-owners have conceded the men’s terms.

The press comment on the splendid donations from Australia in aid of the strikers, contrasted with the empty motions of sympathy from America.

(FES PRESS ASSOCIATION.) .Dunedin, September 5. The Federated Seamen’s Union have de« cided to send £2OO to the dock labourers on strike in London.

Auckland, September 5.

The Knighta of Labour have opened lists for subscriptions in aid of the London docks strikers.

September 6. Public subscription lists have been opened for assistance to the London dock strikers. The workmen employed in shipping, receiving, &c., have also decided to establish a fund for this cause. A committee has been appointed to make arrangements. Greymouth, September 9.

A public meeting was held to-night to raise money to assist the dock strikers. Collectors were appointed to canvas the town, wharf, quarry, and railway hands. AU subscriptions are to be in by Wednesday night. The Brunner miners and the public are sending Home £IOO.

(from our own correspondent.) Westport, September 6. _ ' The Westport Labour Union, at their quarterly meeting to-night, struck a levy of 2s 6d per member in aid of. the London dock strikers.