THE LABOUR STRUGGLE

New Zealand Mail, Issue 992, 6 March 1891, Page 31

THE LABOUR STRUGGLE

(per press association.) London, February 25. Tbe Btevedore3 have withdrawn their manifesto under pressure of the Dockers Union. The London Chamber of Commerce has invited the Shipping Federation and the various labour Unions to hold a friendly conference. The Times is of opinion that the Commission to be set up by the Government should enquire to what extent strikes have a right to interfere with the hours of labour, and also to report as to the best method of averting strikes. The Standard says that the Strikes Commission will consist of the Prince of Wales, Sir John Gorst, Sir Reginald Welby, and Lord Randolph Churchill. The laßt named will probably act as chairman. A thousand free labourers have offered their services. ... The shipping offices are opening a register for non-union dockers. It is proposed that if the block continues in London to employ free labonrers only, and look out Unionists. Half of the first penny levy on tonnage belonging to the Shipping Federation is still unspent. Work is at present proceeding quietly. London, February 26. The miners who went out on strike as an expression of sympathy with the families who were evicted from the Earl of Londonderry’s estate have resumed work, but the excitement caused by the evictions has not yet subsided. Mr Fitzgerald, the Australian labour dole, gate, has an article in the Nineteenth Century traversing most of Mr Champion a article. He declares that the recent strike was justifiable, and was carried out in. a peaceable way. The next elections will convert the labour question into the Moscow of the capitalist. The Waterside Unions are willing to remove the block in London, and renew their offers of compromise on last terms proposed, on condition that the Shipping Federation displaces free labourers and reengages the old hands. The prospects of settlement are stated to be hopeful. London, February 27. Thirty-three members of the Radical Party are anxious that Mr John Barns should be appointed a member of the Labour Commission to be established by the. Government, to enquire into the recent strikes, and to recommend the best means of averting farther struggles. London, March 1.

The Shipping Federation reply that if the block is removed from London they will discuss matters with the Union leaders. The stevedores attacked the Federation barrack ship Scotland. A free fight ensued,

I in which the assailants were defeated, and I several were thrown overboard. The free I labourers on the ship fired blank cartridge in revolvers. Eight stevedores were arrested. London, March 2. The Admiralty has raised the wages at the Government Dockyards, involving an increase of £75,000 per annum. (special to press association.) London, February 26. Cardinal Manning and Mr Buxton, M. P., intend to intervone~in the hope of settling the dispute between the seamen and the Shipping Federation. London, February 28. Unionist dockers are begging employment from the Shipping Federation. Offioes for free labourers have been opened at the Docks. Negotiations between the seamen and the Shipping Federation have taken a favourable tarn. London, March 2. The new Unionists demand representation on the Labour Commission. Eight Unionists who took part in the attack on the barrack ship Scotland are missing, and as some were thrown overboard, it is feared they were drowned. (per press association.) Brisbane, February 27. The Shearers’ Conference has resolved to send a representative to New Zealand to explain to the Unionists in that colony the present position of the shearers in Australia. The shearers in Western District have been called out. Brisbane, February 2S. There is no alteration in the position of affairs at Clermont. The men say that even though defeated in this fight they will stick to the principle, and, if neoessary, die for it, Shearing is proceeding satisfactorily by free labour. It is rumoured that the Rockhampton Wharf Labourers’ and Seamen’s Unions have been called upon to block non-Union wool. - It is expected that a general call out will be made on Monday at all the stations on account of the owners employing Chinese cooks and gardeners, but it is not likely that all will respond. Melbourne, February 27. The Miners’ Conference has decided to make a levy of 6d per member in aid of the Denniston miners, and the Executive was empowered to make any further levies necessary. A unanimous vote of sympathy with the distressed miners was carried. Melbourne, February 23. The Miners’ Conference has agreed to the constitution of the Chief Council, but objects to the proposal to obtain legislation in favour of eight hours of labour, and will take steps to secure a better political representation, with the view of protection to life and other benefits.

DUNEDIN EMPLOYERS’ ASSOCIATION. Dunedin, March 2. At the annual meeting of the Employers’ Association, the report stated that the membership was 110, and there was a credit balance of £2lO. The directors were strongly of opinion that the organisation should be preserved as a measure of self-defence, and to watch legislation. The retiring committee were re-elected. Mr J. M. Ritchie, chairman of the Employers’ Association, in moving the adoption of the report, said the organisation was in a state of suspended animation, inasmuoh as the causes that brought it into existence had fortunately been removed. The trouble had not been with the wage earners, but the paid agitators and politicians had been to blame for the whole thing. These men were still trying to be active, and were moving the wage earners, and had therefore to bewatched. Designing politicians had aIBO to be watched, and employers thus prevent if possible the harm which would assuredly be done if these men got their own will. Mr R. Wilson said that the strikes had arisen through men who would not work themselves trying to m*ke a living out of others who did work. Agitators were the cause of all the trouble, and it was a pity the working men did not see it. Instead of capital and labour being antagonistic they should go hand in hand.