THE BRITISH SHIPOWNERS' ASSOCIATION.

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 9107, 2 October 1890, Page 3

THE BRITISH SHIPOWNERS' ASSOCIATION.

THE OWNERS AND THE UNIONS UNION CO-OPERATION. By mails to hand yesterday we gather the following particulars of the British Shipowners’ Association ; London, August 22. A meeting of the Shipowners’ Association, convened by the President of the Chamber of Shipping of the United Kingdom, was held in London on the 19th of August 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, Ac. The Chairman 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 the 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 interests of shipowners against the unreasonable demands or actions of trades unions or combinations affecting 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 further meeting on September 2. The movement thus set on foot is likely to assume groat 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 ore expected to join. The trades-unionists are likely to find before long a combination representing a capital of L 78,000,000 to oppose them iu their agitation. The associations themselves represent L 45,000,000. , They will make a call on the members to contribute according to requirements. The funds ate 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 mou’a unions. It is firmly believed that the object sought by the proposed combination will bo obtainable if tho owners only keep together, and they aro expected to do so. The'London dookersare also in theirturn starting a new movement. At the Hyde Bark demonstration on Sunday, August 17, Mr Burns remarked that it was in- , tended to arrange for work on co-operative principle, andjgave aa outline of a scheme

now being formulated. When it is thought advisable that certain work can be performed by piecework, and an agreement Calx be made for this purpose, it shall bo arranged on terms that the work will be offered direct to the men on a certain agreed price, the mfen forming themnelvea into a company or gang to undertake it on co-operative principle, one of the number being appointed a leader with the 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 tho head of tho department, who retains power to veto tho employment of any one guilty of gross misconduct ; otherwise there are no restrictions to the formation of the gang. The leader receives tho contract price for tho job, distributing to the men as agreed. Tbs company are to assist and examine the accounts If desired, an addition to the tonnage rate is to bo allowed for work during overtime hours, reasonable intervals for refreshments are to bo arranged, and disputes between the head of tho department artd the loader are to be referred by the superintendent for final appeal to the Directors.