LABOR STRUGGLES.

Colonist, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5896, 1 September 1890, Page 3

LABOR STRUGGLES.

P at Press Association. WELLINGTON, August 30. The owners of the steamer Lawrence, whioh ia at present undergoing repairs, expect to have her ready for sea to-morrow night, when she will leave for Mokihinui to load coal. She is to ba manned by Unionist?, and her owners have undertaken to dispose of her coal at the prices which were ruling before the strike. The owners have decided not to assist the Union Company in any way, and will not allow any of the ooal brought by the Lawrence to be Bold to them. WESTPOBT, August 30. Coal was ready in the trucks to load ths Manawatu, and the railway employees were erdered to do the work, but as each gang started they were called out, and knocked off amid great oheers from the Unionists. All the men who refused this duty were bus* pended. The Denniston correspondent of the ' Westport Star' telephones: — "At a meeting last night the miners endorsed the aotion of the Maritime Ooanoil in the total suspension of work. If the Coal Company is willing, the miners will work and supply steamers oihar than the Unioa Company's. A resolution condemning the action of ths business men in Wesiporfc in loading or discharging the steamers was carried. The Manawatu got away with a full cargo of coal at 1 p.m. The Unionists complained to the Collector of Customs that the steamer was about to sail with coil on deck, but before the Colleotor could get down the steamer was away. She left without any warning. At two o'olook there were only three rail* way hands left unsuspended, and they were retained to run the coal up to the siaiths. The Society has just called these three out. Tbe statioHmaßter may drive the looom- tivtg to finish loading the Mahkapua, Mr Peterkin. the district manager, is oonfined to hia bed iil. CHRISTCHUECH, August 30. The following telegram has been sent by Mr Edwards, the Secretary of the Bailway Servants Society, to the Railway Commissioners in Wellington : — " The Executive of the_ Eailway Union expresses regret at the action of the department in compelling the permanent men to take the place of the casual wharf laborers in Lyttleton and elsewhere. We must earnestly request the Commissioners to remain neutral, and to withdraw all the permanent railway men from the wharf labourers' work in ships and in trucks. We consider the present action a Sure way of causing a rupture between the Commissionera and the men, and if the men are not withdrawn as requested at once, the Executive will not be responsible for the consequences. 11MARU, August 30. At a meeting of employers, a telegram wag received from Nelson Bros, to the Freezing Company asking if they would join them in declining to employ Union labor, as the present was an opportune time to knock down the whole system, and they would never have a better chance. A meeting of employers this. morning, at which mercantile and milling firms and farmers were represented, passed resolutions declaring the present strike ill advised, and sympathising with the Union Company in the struggle against the tyranny of the Maritime Council, and in reply to a circular from the wharf laborers those present pledged themselves to make no distinction between Union and free labour, and any intimidation of free labour will mean their dispensing with Union men.