ANNIVERSARY OF THE DOCK STRIKES. London, August 15.

Otago Witness, Issue 1906, 21 August 1890, Page 14

ANNIVERSARY OF THE DOCK STRIKES. London, August 15.

I rrom tne anal balance sheet of the dock Btrike fund it appears the colonial contributions reached a total of £37,270. August 17. About a quarter of a million of people were present: at the anniversary celebration of the

Book labourers in Hyde Park to-day. The proceedings were orderly, and occasion was taken to disavow the accusation that the British workmen were anxious to grasp money that came from Australia, There were sis platforms, at all of whioh resolutions were carried in favour of organising all labour with legal maximum of 48 hours per week, and recording an expression of gratitude to Australia for the help afforded in the hour of need. The latter was received with loud acclamations, and when John Burns waved the Australian 'flag there was tremendous enthusiasm. The celebrations of the anniversary of the dockers' strike were of a very enthusiastic character. At the demonstration in Hyde Park, one banner showed the English and Australian dockers shaking hanks, and a second showed the Australian handing a cheque to the Britisher. Burns reviewed the action taken during the strike, aud stated that the contribution from the colonies was nearly £40,000. The hearty thanks of dockmen, he said, were owing to the colonials for the haudsome manner in which they had come to their assistance. He regretted very much that it was impossible for him to make a visit to Australia and show gratitudeby assisting in breaking down the unworthy action of capitalists. In conclusion he showed that labour reform would be successful, and as he waved that flag with the picture of a kangaroo on it and the words " Advance Australia," the immense assemblage gave three cheers. Mr Tom Mann, president of the Dockers' Union, eulogised the action of Australia in sending money to assist; the dockers, and stated that if he got a telegram from any responsible authority in Australia asking for help in a strike the question would accordingly be submitted to the union, but would be granted without discussion. If a message was received not to work certain ships, these would be blocked out at every port while blacklegs were employed on board. Mr Edwards, a prominent member of the union, spoke in a similar strain, and moved a resolution, which was passed, expressing gratitude to Australia for the assistance rendered during the dock labourers' strike. In the course of his speech at Hyde Park yesterday Mr John Burns asserted that the dock labourers' strike of last year had increased the wages of the London dockers by the sum of £300,000, and those at, other ports in Great Britain had benefited to the extent of £700,000. Discussing the whole labour question throughout the world, Mr Burns claimed that 700,000,000 labourers had by their agitation gained in the aggregate the sum of £30,000,000 per annum. Out of 180 strikes they had only been defeated on two occasions. The success of the labour agitations had greatly increased the strength of unions, and in London alone the memberships of the various unions had increased by 30,000. Referring to the failure of the threatened strike of the police and postmen, ho attributed it to the treachery of some of the members. He applauded the action of the Grenadier Guards, and announced that he would aot commence a social revolution until the people had more leisure, and were better prepared to be educated and disciplined. A LABOUR DISTURBANCE. New Yoek, August 18. During a disturbance arising out of the strike at the New York Central railway the police stationed at Albany fired on the mob, wounding three persons. This action enraged the crowd, aud some of the police narrowly escaped being lynched. LABOUR TROUBLES IN AUSTRALIA. Melboubne, August 14. The Shearers' Union has issued a manifesto to the effect that in consequence of the Pastoralists' Union having declined to have further dealings with the union unless sheepowners were allowed the option of employing union or non-union labour, there is nothing left but to fight the matter out to the end. At a meeting of delegates from Pastoralists', Shipowners', and Stevedores' Associations it was determined to make a firm stand. The stevedores' labourers are said to be wavering in their determination not to handle wool shorn by nonunion men. August 15. The Shearers' Union are making preparations to prevent the shipping of non-union-shorn wool, and a systematic boycott has been established. On the other hand, the sheepowners and employers of labour are completing arrangements to resist the attack of the unionists. Fearing a strike, the Railway Commissioners have secured a fortnight's supply of coal, and have arranged for further supplies to run trains in event of the strike being a protracted one. Sydney, August 16. Mr Spence, president of the Shearers' Union, states that 233 labour societies are supporting the shearers in the present dispute. The Shearers' Union is calling in this year's as well as next year's subscriptions from its members to provide the necessary funds for the impending struggle. Newcastle, August 15. Owing to the threatened strikes a great impetus has been giveu to the coal trade, and heavy freights have been secured. A BRAIN TURNED WITH ANXIETY. Cbristchubch, August 15. One unexpected case in connection with the labour trouble is that of an over-anxious employe on the railway, who has been so exercised in mind ever the probability of v. strike and the evils consequent upon it, that his brain has been turned, and he has had to be removed from work, and will in all probability bo sent to the asylum for treatment. THE DISPUTE AT URBY VALLEY. Gqeymouth, August 15. A public meeting was called to-night by a private citizen (Mr R. C. Smith) to consider the Brunuer difficulty, and resulted in the largest meeting ever seen in the Town Hall. Messrß Andrew, M'Le^ky, and Robertson ißrunner miners) addressed the meeting at great length on the origin and history of the difficulty, and were enthusiastically received by the meeting, who gave every mark of sympathy with the stand they took. The following resolutions were passed unanimously :-" This meeMng wish to draw the attention of the Government to the present lock-out fit Brunner, whioh is paralysing too whole district, and if allowed to continue may close the mines permanently, resulting jn immense loss to the district and colpn'y »t large by a loss of population rapidly leaving, a loss of traffic on one of th« beat paying lines in the colony, and losses on royalty and harbour dues. (2) That the men locked out have signified their intention of making a reduction in wages if the Government meet them by reducing the haulage and royalty. (3) Tbab in the opinion of this meeting it would be injurious to the distriofc to close the Wallsend mine, as it commands a large fiild of coal which could be profitably worked." The resolutions will be telegraphed to the Premier in the morn* ing. Dismantling the Wallsend mine Is now completed and everything at the mine is stopped, Including the fan and pumps. The fires have

been drawn and all hands discharged, throwing 140 men and boys out of employment. Most of the men are married, with large families. It is stated that should times improve and an attempt be made to re-work the mine, it would take three months to pump it out. v August 17. The coal miners are beginning to leave the district. A few days ago several lef fc by steamer and yesterday five started overland for Springfield, their ultimate destination being New South Wales. Thirty more are expected to leave overland on Monday morning, Wellington, August 15. Messrs Lomas and Newton, delegates from the coal miners, have waited on the Premier and Minister of Mines, urging tne introduction of a bill abolishing the royalty on coal. Ministers are unable to do so, as the money is required to pay interest on mouey borrowed for the Greymouth harbour works. August 19. In reply to the representations of Messrs Lomas and Newfcon, the Government have offered to appoint a commission to inquire iuto all the circumstances conneoted with the Greymouth coal difficulty. The delegates said they had no objection, but tho commissioners must not interfere with the miners' wages. The Premier sent a further reply pointing out that he bad no intention of meddling with the wages, which was a question between the employers and men, but the commissioners would certainly have to take cognisance of the matter, because wages really lay at the root of the whole difficulty. No answer has been received from the delegates, but it is probable that the commission will be appointed in any case, as the dispute is regarded as seriously affecting the harbour, on which so much money has been spent. Owing to the unsettled state of things at the Brunner mines the electric machinery for pumping which was recently imported will not be seat down for the present. The Premier has declined to accede to the request of the West Coast miners' delegates that the House should be asked to suspend royalties pending the report of tb" commissioners. The Premier wished the men to resume work on the company's terms puuding the report, but the delegates would not accept this. The delegates interviewed the representative of the company offering to submit the wages question to arbitration on the basis of the rates ruling at other coal mines on the West Coast, but the offer was declined. THE CHINESE QUESTION. Wellington, August 17. A public meeting will be held on Tuesday evening to discuss the Chinese question, and addresses will be delivered by Sir Geo. Grey and Mr Geo. Hutchison, M.H.R's, Rev. J. Berry, and the officers of the Federated Trades Council. Resolutions will be proposed affirming that practically the free admission of Chinese into this colony is likely to cause grave complications of a social and financial character at no distant date, and should be prohibited by law ; that the restricted competition of cheap Chinese labour with free European labour is a serious injury to every true citizen, and the residence of numbers of Chinese in our midst is apt to prove demoralising in the highest degree. If these resolutions are carried endeavours will probably be made to give political effect to them. BOYCOTTING BEER. Cheistchuboh, August 19. Considerable excitement and amusement was caused in Lyttelton by the boycotting of a certain firm's beer because one of the shareholders also held shares in Whitcombe and Tombs. The consumption of this beer fell off so much that one publican's Saturday takings are said to have fallen from £16 to £3. Three publicans, with a prominent member of the labour party, waited on the manager of the brewery, who explained that the gentleman whose name appeared amongst the shareholders of Whitcombe and Tombs held very few shares in the brewery. The Brewery Company were not in sympathy with Whitcombe and Tombs, nor did they favour them with any of their printing, whioh had been done in a union establishment whioh would continue to get their work. The labour party were satisfied with the explanation and removed the boycott. ANTI-CHINESE MEETING. Wellington, August 19. An anti-Chinese meeting was held to-night at the Exchange Hall, which was overcrowded. Mr R. P. Johnston presided. Sir George Grey deprecated the introduction of Chinese, and asserted that if Celestials were allowed to increase in power the European residents of the colony would fall to the same level as them. He moved, and Mr T. K. Macdnnald seconded — " That the practically free admission of Chinese into the colony is likely to lead to grave complications of a sooial and financial character at no distant date, and should be prohibited by law." This was carried. The Rev. J. Berry said that after his experience of Chinese in America and Australia, he had much pleasure in moving—" That the unrestricted competition of cheap Chinese labour with free European labour is a serious injury to every true citizen, and the residence of numbers of Chinese in our midst is apt to prove demoralising in the highest degree." Mr D. P. Fisher, secretary of the Trade and Labour Council, seconded the motion, which was carried. Mr George Hutchison, M.H.R., urged the electow to support candidates who would legislate in the direction of keeping Chinamen out. He moved — " That this meeting pledges itself to support European traders in preference to Chinese traders, and to assiat in giving political effect to the previous resolutions." Mr C. M'lntyre seconded the motion, which was carried. During the evening Mr Sbrimski, M.L 0,, who differed with the remarks of the speakers, attempted to aildress the meeting, but was cried down and had to resume his seat. A letter from Mr Ballance was read apologising for his absence, and stating that in his opinion Chinamen were not desirable colonists and should be rigidly excluded by law. As the meeting broke up, three cheers were given for Sir G. Grey and Mr Hutchison. FEDERATED FARRIERS AND BLACKSMITHS' UNION, A meeting of the above union was held in the Coffee Palace on Saturday night for the purpose of considering some of the rules taken exception to by the Master Farriers' Association. Tbf-re were 16 members present, and Mr Bain (president) was in the chnir. On the motion of Messrs Dick and Nash, it was resolved to amend rale 44 to read, " Members of this union engaging for country work sbail not accept situations from labour agents. Any member being engaged for a situation dis* tant over three miles from town his fare shall be paid," It was resolved to amend rule 16, to close at 1 o'clock on Saturday?, double time to be charged after 1 p.m. — These rules, as amended, to come into force on September 1, 1890, Judge Rawson has suspended a bankrupt's discharge for 12 months for insolence to a creditor while under" examination before the deputy-assignee,