The Shearers' trouble.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6002, 24 February 1891, Page 2

T he Shearers' trouble.

«, ApkljAidk, Fob. 24. The Shearora' Conference has voted LIOOO to tho shoiiroi's in Queensland. Biushank, Fob. 24. Glovovnmcnt has issued a proclamation calling upon the UnionistH to Jay down their arms. All tho hotels in tho disturbed districts havo been closed. The Shearers' Union has decided to await the return of their delegates to the Conference fit. Adelaide, before taking any -further action AmaAinE, Feb. 10. The first annual conference of the newly formed General Woolshod Union, was commenced on the Oth February, Mr W. G. Spenco presiding. In his oponing speech, Mr Spcuco said ho thought the timo had come to form a Union of general station labor. Through the efforts of tho Shearers' Union they had enrolled already over 5000 members, and 1iad,L7,200 with which to start operations. It was estimated that out of some 200,000 farm, station, and saw and sugar mill hands in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia, it should be possible to enrol 0000 in one Union. Tho Union should have higher aims than the mere settlement of questions of wages and hours of labor. They should doal with the great problem of tho equal distribution of profits of labor. Ho thought Australia would lead tho van in the solution of tho labor question. They were Hearing a great crisis, and the next great struggle would settlo tho question of Unionism for many years to come. Bmsiunk, Feb. 10. Authentic information is to hand that some delegates of the Queensland Shearors' Union shipped in Melbourne as free laborers, with the object of inducing men to join tho Union. A hitter was sent to the Fairbairn Station from Tainbo threatening to burn tho sheds. At a meeting held in the vicinity of Burcaldino it was resolved to procure 200 rabbits from New South Wales and turn them loose. The Charlesvillo carriers refuse to carry Lanlo Downs wool, bufc it is probable that the Central Queensland carriers will cart it to Alpha. There is groat excitement in Uockhampton in tho matter of tho shearing dilliculty. Tho Dorwenr, from Melbourne, has arrived with 200 free shearers. Thirty policeman have jirrived from Brisbane, and will accompany the shearors to Barcaldino. There are about CiO police between Bai'caldino and Blackall. There is certain to be (rouble, as tho Union shearers ai'e determined either to make Unionists of tho newcomers or drive them out of the district. <