THE BOOK LABOURERS' STRIKE.

Otago Witness, Issue 1973, 12 September 1889, Page 16

THE BOOK LABOURERS' STRIKE.

THE IRON, BUILD.ING, AND TIMBER TRADES AFFECTED.

THE DOCK COMPANIES GIVE WAY.

THE DEMANDS OF THE MEN

CONCEDED.

THE WHARF OWNERS GIVE WAY.

AUSTRALIAN GENEROSITY APPRE-

CIATED.

{Per Peess Association.)

London^ September 4. More labourers are now working at the docks, but the Liguria is still unable to leave.

Employers at Liverpool have conceded the advance of Is a day to corn carriers. The situation between the dock companies and strikers remains unchanged, and both sides show a dogged resolution not to give way. The steamer Liguria, which has been detained some days, sailed for Australia to-day. The New Zealand Shipping Company's Kaikoura has succeeded in landing 6000 carcases of mutton.

Out of 900,000 of the members of various trade unions, 40,000 have given votes in favour of the eight hours' system, while 63,000 oppose it. The remaining members were silent on the question. The steamer Fifeshire is half unloaded, but only a small portion of the Kaikoura's cargo has been taken out. The Tainui's departure is indefinite. Mrs Gladstone has been visiting the homes of the strikers, and has subscribed to the funds. The latter are increasing in amount.

Burns says the strike at Liverpool will counteract the sending of shipping thither, and also at Glasgow. Similar steps will be taken at Southampton, if necessary.

Canon Holland and the Eevs. Mason and Lester, who are among the leading clergy of the Bast Bnd of London, have sent letters of sympathy to the strikers. Fifteen thousand pickets are distributed about the docks. Lord Mayor Whitehead will mediate in October between the men and the dock companies. September 5. The vast majority of the labourers on the wharves in Middlesex 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 ship owners relative to unloading vessels at the earliest possible moment. The strike is extending to the iron, building, and timber trades, although not to general trades.

The lightermen and watermen preserve the same attitude of resistance, but many wharf labourers . and granary men are accepting work again on the concession agreed to yesterday of 6d an hour ordinary, and 8d overtime (in 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 the Australian Unions has aroused the utmost enthusiasm, especially as plenty of sympathy was received from the United States and Canada, but no money. Burns states that if the dock companies are compelled to give in, the strikers will demand 7d an hour for ordinary hours, and M per hour overtime. The Amalgamated Engineers' Union have made a levy 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.

Sir E. W. Watkin (M.P. for Hythe) is urging the dock companies to concede the demands of the men.

Mr H. Broadhurst (member for Nottingham) having been made an object of attack in connection with the strike, the annual meeting of the Trades Congress passed a vote of confidence in him by an immense majority. The lightermen, who originally struck out of sympathy with the dock men, are now insisting on an increase of wages for themselves to6s for 12 hours' work.

It is expected that the strike "will gradually subside. Fifty printers have been conceded an advance to £1 per week for 10 hours a day. The tailors' riot in the East End was quelled without difficulty, but there was nothing very serious in it.

Later. Seven thousand strikers have resumed work.

September 6.

The lightermen have agreed to undertake work for the firms who have conceded to the strikers-demands.

•Up to the present the strike has cost a million and a half pounds.

The Dock Committee report that more men are working at the docks than before the strike.

Burns had an interview to-day with Lord Mayor Whitehead, Cardinal Manning, Bishop Temple (of London), Sir John Lubbock, M.P. (London University), and Lord Brassey at the Mansion House, when he agreed that the strikers should resume work at the old rate of wages, provided that the dock companies conceded that the demands of the strikers should take effect from and after January 1.

The directors of the dock companies have intimated to the strike leaguers that a reply will be forwarded to-morrow.

Forty leading members of the Corn Exchange have warned the dock companies that they will bold them responsible for any loss they might incur owing to delay in the disoharge of vessels. The proprietors of 17 wharves and waretoouses have conceded the labourers' demands, fait 40 others still stand out. The Surrey,

Commercial, and Milwall Dock Companies are parleying with the strikers. Burns says they will defeat the enemy by sections.

Cardinal Manning considers the orderly conduct and heroism of the strikers unequalled since the days of the cotton famine. Scores of minor strikes have taken place, in the majority of which thß men were victorious.

September 7.

The dock companies and Burns, the leader of the strikers, have accepted the proposals of Lord Mayor Whitehead, and the strike has ended.

The additional demands of the men have been conceded, and the dock companies have agreed to pay casual hands 6d an hour after January 1 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 workmeu. 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' Committee has refused to ratify Burns' acceptance of Lord Mayor Whitehead's proposals. The strikers have published a manifesto refusing to grant the dock companies better terms than those granted to wharfingers and stevedores. Sailors and firemen will resume work for anybody granting labourers their demands ; lightermen will also resume if the advance to 6s per day is conceded. The Lord Mayor accuses the strikers of a breach of faith in refusing to accept the compromise. At a meeting in Hyde Paik Burns stated he merely undertook to submit the proposal to the executive. The rejection was unanimous, and so was the opinion that mediation is a mistake.

September 9

The Lord Mayor, Cardinal Manning, and Bishop Temple jointly publish a letter, stating that they are unable to understand the rejection of their proposals by the men, and if they persist in it the strikers will justly forfeit public sympathy. It is stated that the men will resume work at 6d an hour, to begin 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. September 10.

The dock companies assert they have reached the limit of the concessions, which they calculate will cost them £70,000 per annum. "The city men assert that the extra expense will not be more than £20,000.

Negotiations with 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 of the strike.

Thirty wharf owners have conceded the men's terms.

The press comment on the spier did donations from Australia in aid of the strikers contrasted with the empty motions of sympathy from America. Berlin, September 7. The London dock strike is being discussed in Germany. Emperor William considers 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.

Sydney, September 5.

Meetings are being held generally over Australia to express sympathy with the dock labourers at Home. Up to yesterday £1000 had been collected in Sydney, £300 in Hobart, £3500 in Victoria, £500 in South Australia, and £700 in Queensland.

September 8.

At a mass meeting of sympathisers with the London strikers £1200 was collected. The coal lumpers have voted £250. The Newcastle miners propose to vote £1000 in aid of the strikers.

Mblbouene, September 7. The amount collected for the London dock strikers has reached £5400.

September 9. The fund in aid of the London dock strikers has reached £6800. Wellington, September 5. Several trade unions have resolved to contri bute towards the London strike funds.

Auckland, September 5.

The Knights of Labour have opened subscription lists in aid of the London dock labourers.