THE LABOUR DISPUTES.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 6292, 12 August 1890, Page 2

THE LABOUR DISPUTES.

(Pee Electric Telegraph—Copyright.

(Per Press Association.)

(Received 1.15 a.m., August 12th.) Sydney, August 11,

The ship owners and employers have jointly replied to the wharf labourers that in view of the determination of the latter not to handle wool shorn by non-union men they have been compelled to make arrangements for the supply of labour regardless of its being union or nonunion. The steamship owners estimate that the demands of the maritime labour bodies will involve an additional outlay of £20,000 annually, which will more than swamp the profits under the most flourishing circumstances.

(Special to Press Association.)

(Received 1.30 a.m., Aug. 12th.)

London, August 11.

The men on strike show no sign of yielding, and a famine is feared in the Rhondda district.

(Bv Telegraph.)

AUCKLAND, August 11.

At a meeting of tradesmen to-night the Shop Hours Bill was protested against as tyrannical. .

WELLINGTON, Aug. 11.

The Grey coal difficulty is unchanged and an intense public feeling is being rapidly developed. Scores of men are lounging about the wharf, there being nothing for them to do. The Midland Eailway deviation at Lake Brunner is also exciting keen interest up the Grey valley. Messrs Lomas and Newton, the delegates appointed by the Amalgamated Miners and Labourers Union of New Zealand to endeavour to bring about a settlement of the difficulty between the Grey Valley Coal Company and their miners, have arrived in Wellington. The delegates had a lengthened interview this morning with the Hon. McLean, chairman of the Union B.S. Company, which is largely connected with the Brunnerton mines, and with Mr Martin Kennedy, the managing director of the Grey Yalley Company. They are also anxious to interview the Premier, and probably they will wait upon that gentleman to-morrow. A most amusing development of the labour movement occurred to-night. When the Evening Press runners were called on to take out the paper they struck in a body for higher wages and assembled in front of the office, and any lad who stuck to his work was treated in approved style and hustled about as a blackleg. In one instance they caught a tartar, as a youngster turned on his assailants and after bestowing several black eyes with a liberal hand the rest were glad to get rid of him. The proprietors of the paper refused to give in and did not seem to find much difficulty in filling the places of the boys, as the paper delivery was effected a little later than usual. -

CHRISTCHURCH, August 11

A petition is being prepared here for presentation to the House of Representatives in favour of the Labour Bills. Steps are being taken to get up similar petitions in Auckland, Wellington, Dunedin and other towns.

DUNEDIN, August 11. At a meeting of the fishmongers to-night it was decided to form a union.

WHITOOMBE AND TOMBS, OHRIBTOHUROH, August 11. Messrs Whitoombo and Tombs have telegraphed to Mr Millar that the action of the Maritime Council in calling out the carpenters employed on the' firm’s Dunedin shop precludes them giving further consideration to the council’s proposals. The managing committee of the Oddfellows’ hall and chambers to-night decided to give the labour party the use of both buildings free during the difficulty with Messrs Whitcombe and Tombs.

OAMAEU, August 11.

At a meeting of the Oamaru branch of the Wharf Labourers’Union, it was decided to support the Maritime Council in its -action with regard to Messrs Whitcombe and Tombs.

The Wharf Carters’ and Storemen’s Union also passed a similar resolution.

DUNEDIN, August 11.

It appears that the action of the Carpenters' Society in withdrawing tho hands at work on Whitcombe and Tombs’ shop in George street, was taken without the con* currence or advice of the Maritime Council. As that body has the dispute in band they claim that no step against the Arm can he taken without their sanction, and unless the Carpenters’ Society decide differently on their own responsibility to night, the men will proceed with tho work to-morrow. A general meeting of rail way servants was held this evening at which the following resolution was carried I "That this meeting heartily endorses the action of the executive in supporting the Maritime Council in the present dispute re Messrs (Vhitcombe and Tombs, or properly speaking, the combination of capital against labour, and this meeting moreover pledges itself to support the executive.”

About 160 were present, including Mr J. A. Millar, secretary of the Maritime Council, who said that there was to be no immediate strike, nor would any action be taken until every effort had been made to induce the firm to listen to reason.

At a meeting of the Building Trades’ Union to-night the men at work at the shop of Messrs Whitcombe and Tombs explained that they had ceased work of their own accord. Matters had been explained to them, and they voluntarily withdrew. It was decided that the men should resume work in the morning.

Mr Millar, secretary of the Maritime Council, said that be would let the union know when efforts, to secure arbitration had failed, when the coarse to bo taken would be left in the hands of the president and the secretary.