THE LATEST.

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

THE LATEST.

DUNEDIN; August 29. The wharf laborers to-day struck work in discharging the Te Anau's cargo although it was understood last evening that all inward cargo would be discharged. The fruiteresfl who had fruit on board went down to land their own material. The Uaion Company's derka turned to afterwards and did excellent work in turning out cargo. To-morraw eight youog fellows, members of the Otago Bowing Club, take turn at discharging oargo. It ia understood that the Union Company could get free labour, but they don't waat to start thit until all plans are laid. Nothing is to be got as to the result of the private meeting ol employers, which was adjourned to next weak, nor as to the meeting of merchants, but it is understood the latter will insist on their storemen leaving the Union or going on strike. There is no excitement at all at the wharves. In view of a possible strike of carters, several merchants who have farms and stations have sent to these far horses and drays. Several brass and iron and woodwarg factories will only work part time nest week. August 31. The oooks and ttewards decided to strike at a meeting en Saturday nigbt. The wharf laborers, expres.*men, and si oremen's Union have inatrncted members not to carry go <ds employing non-union labor. All the officers who wete stopping at Mrs Silk's left there because free laborers took lunah there on Saturday. Efforts will be mate o loftd and send away the Te Aeau to-day, and a number of the Taieri farmers will send drays. : There 18 very litsie new in regard to tbfk 1 strike. Tbe streets war? cowded witu pwpe all day,_ but the shopkeepers complain that no btipin*B3 is doing. On every hand preparations are being made to re.tuca expenses by 1 miting the hands employed. C • .' The dif charging of .the Ta A nan antlKoiOyrua'B cargoes to day was carried on bvthji Union Company a c-erks, a number of rowT^ men, and footballers. They were not jfjie'f? fered with in any way. and in faoi the usual what f laborers do not seem to go near tbtf wharf. The firat thing approaching to ft de •- lßonstration took plac9 a little atYec"s, whtfndischarging osased. As Btveral of thoea who had been at work made their way towards the Grand Hotel, a large crowd followed^ indulging in groaning.- As three t-ta wart footballers took their seats in the Mornington tram car the groaning increase!,' arid tome ■*--- horse dung or something like i* wbs ~ thrown, : but the tram moved off before any misbhief was done, and the crowd then diepereed. ' WESTPORT. J August 30. . There is not a great deal of exoitement here. .-:-.., ;. Polica Inspactor Goodalt arrived io«day, ! also three exua oonstables, but jo far their' services; are net required. The conduct of the mania orderiy, ; and there/ ia little or nor ■drinking* -i ■:/'■; [-. ■>■■■ . --;'::w. L/f'ss i-^i+hH^ ■>:■ Fiour has risen i £4 a ton, bat the;X)ther ' neceßsariea are not affeoted co far: ■■, •> \ It is rumored here :tri4t -the Ahoher Idne of steamers will be affeoted. tilap^'UfidoiU'^-''. complications may rariiye.:- • r;: -<y U i / ? ; Many of em^oyeeaidepreeatejiS-:' the manner in whioh they were dragged into a dispute. :■■■':. \\-^-.;^.i].'''^-^*<''i&s''&£^£ : -:A& The bußiness men are neutral; %Ui -^:m -; ■'. - :n-&i ,; -,; .■;,.■>• ■ \ ,. - v v;^4^>; ',; August Jl.7:il'' ■■»■, The Bituation here iflurJohaniß[efeuj^itT is\.^ ' Food prodnots are acarce at iWaimangaros, £ f and- have to be packed tas no trains are jun-; . mng^a^are ißi.'flb"outdien; daytf|opply;»»i / : : Denniston and Borne here. - - v: Sixty-one oat of fleventy-onj dißt^t railway h.

>fte^M^^^.rtij^aed. ; 7hi Bmi!irrt8 mi!irrt Imnflr4\iral ot v £200"& irteil; firom oirculalion, fctridw £1200 a week at Denniaton. HChe seamen and firemen of the Mahinapna ttftlßß doty, but will no V leave the ship. The Chamber of Commerce meet to-morrow nJghV .■"•■■• .*\. WELLINGTON, - AognatSl. I Sbof WM considerable exoitement on the Whar! yesterday afternoon when tho Union. Odl^pany's steamer, Wairarapa, from Lyttelton, was brought alongside the wharf. It was first intended to erect a wooden barricade acroßS the wharf near the shore end, but the ,idea was abandoned, and a stout, chain .was •tretohed from side to aide, near the outer tee.. The vessel approached the wLarf about 3 o'clock, by whioh time the crowd oongregated was quite 2000, but a large force of policemen under Inspector Thomson suooeeded in keeping them outside of the chain. A dataehment of the permanent Artille'y, without arms, had been brought to support the Police in protecting the barricade, but they ..were subsequently -withdrawn, though they were kept ready in the event of their services being requires*' The crowd, however, was most orderly, and no demonstration of any kind was made. In fact those present were ohiefly citizens atlraoted out of curiosity. The greater number of those on strike wire away at a meeting in the Exchange Hotel. f The vessel was berthed without! trouble and the passengers landed. The ''work of discharging the Wairarapa was commenced almost immediately by a non-Union crew assisted by volOateer 'labor, chiefly the olerioal staff of the Company, the permanent lumpers in the employ of the Harbor Board having come out on Strike in the morning. The eeamen and tally clerks. who are not members of the Union, were told off to remove the oargo to the Bheds and this was done, though they declined to receive the goods direct on the trooka, and only touched it after the slings were removed by those working for the Company. Those engaged removing the oargo were paid 2s 6d per hour. By 9 p.m. the Wellington oargo, consisting D( 100 tons, had been landed and 50 tons of coal taken in. No fresh oargo was taken in here. During the afternoon the officers left the Bhip, bat the Company expecting this had othera ready. At 10.45 p.m. the steamer Wairarapa sailed for Auckland, via Napier and Giaborne. The Blawhera and Grafton, with cargoes of coal from West Coast, and Southern Cross from Auckland arrived in the course of the evening, and both firemen and seamen left the vessels. The officers have also given notice. Tb« steamers Wanaka, Wareatea. and Pengain also are without crews, and the fiisfc two •till have their cargo on hoard, but the Wanaka will be discharged by volunteer labor ia the moroiog. A deputation from the Seamen's Union waited oa the Collector of Customs protesting against men going to sea who were not qualified seamen, and asked that vessels be stopped going to saa nutil provided with a proper complement of men. The Colleotor replied he had no power to grant their request, as there was. nothing ia tho Shipping Aot, whioh made it compulsory for the •hips to carry a definite number of seamen or any at all. The seamen and wharf laborers held a mass meeting yesterday afternoon, but the leaders decline to give any information respecting what was dpne. It was stated, however, that it was called in order to explain to _ the men some misunderstanding which had arisen as to the reason they were called out. The question of prosecuting the crew of the Penguin, who left the vessel on Friday night without giving notice, has been referred to Dunedin The Waihi arrived from B.«.'iheim at two o'clock this afternoon and anchored near the wharf. Later on she proceeded down the bay, and anchored at Soames Island. She has about 20 non-Union men on board, who the Company have secured to load and discharge their vessels. This action was taken to prevent the Union getting at them. A tremendous crowd assembled when the Takapuna arrived from Lyttelton this afternoon, and as she approached the wharf there was a little groaning, but no indication of a hostile demonstration. On Saturday the Union Company's contractor, while taking provisions to the Company's vessels on the wharf was stopped by the Union pickets. The provisions had to be sent in boats from the breastwork. The officers of all the Company's vessels in port are out, but the Company state they will be able to get some of their vessels away to-morrow. The officers are holding a meeting this afternoon, and the seamen and wharf laborers meet to-night. The proceedings in each case are private. The cooks and stewards are not likely to go out, and the Union Company, recognising their loyalty, have decided to keep them all on full pay, even in the event of their ships being laid up. Hon. G. McLean had an interview with such of the Company's chief stewards who were in Lyttelton last night, when the latter decided to remain loyal. The officers in Lyttelton also had an interview with MiMcLean, who said he was agreeable to give them free passages to Dunedin, where they could all discuss matters in conference, and afterwards, no matter what the result, the Company would give them passages back again. Mr McLean said the Company would maintain tbe position they had taken up, and they are confident of their ability to do so, but in the event of the officers deciding to re-enter their service, their present conduct in leaving the ships would not militate in any way against their chances of promotion. The officers said they had no grudge against the Company. The Manawatu, from Westport, arrived today, and -anchored in the stream. The Queen's Wharf has been crowded all day, and the present strike is freely discussed. P§Mr J. Aiihen (Connell, of Auckland, addr*esed a fairly well attended meeting at the Opera House on the Labor question last night. Mr Boss, M.H.B, presided. The speaker's views were opposed to the formation of Unions, and the meeting therefore was rather lively,' and more than once it almost broke up in disorder. Mr Connell announced that be would oonteit the Wellington City at the General Election. CHBISTCHUECH, ' August 30. The officers of the Tekapo, Wairarapa, Beautiful Star, Botorua, and Wakatipu held a conference on board the Wairarapa, and decided to take no action pending a general conference of Officera at Dunedin. The seamen and firemen left in a body soon after nonunion labour went aboard. A large number. of Christchuroh people went to port to "see the fun." There was no attempt at a disturbance. The sailora leaving the boats weAoheered and the non-Union workers . groaned: .,- : •.• :..".• ., ■ •. -•-^■. • , On ibe steamer Takapuna arriving at Lyttilton this mornicg, it was found that her deok- hands numbered four, only one of whom it is said had any previous sea experience, instead of her regular, complement of eight After her seamen and firemen had left, the wharfjaborers volnot«ered to go on board and land; the beef *he had brought from Wellington^: Their offer was accepted, and the meat was landed. The laborers did this on account of th 9 goods being perishable. The Whßr( Laborers' Union have decided to block all produce shipped by the Farmers' Go-operative Association. This is on acoount of the action of Messrs Stead, Kaye, and Carter in assisting the free. laborers yesterday. The wbarf laborers bavet decided to work nothing in.Port but frozen meat cargoes. . Twenty members of the Amateur Athletic Club assisted in coaling the steamer Mamari. A large npmber or Christohuroh people , visited Lyttelton during the day. There was no disturbance, but -extra* Police were on It ip stated • that hnh officers 'have been found for the steamer Takapuna, and that the Union Company expect to get officers for ■ ttie:othfijt;.boatf..-:.- ..^,>;£^ V.- .= .~v^-. ■^•■r-^".x. - :< L;-v --v^ August ;BL:^ It is »t*ted that the supply of coal -at the Heathcbts Valley pHmping station is very imftll, and that in consequence the Lyttelton water supply will have to be reduced. Tne' firemen on 8.M.8 Kaikoura were ordered torshoyel coal on the hulk for the' Duke of Westmineter on Saturday af ternoor/, They ba?d a meeting and deolinedr to-do it. The result was hailed with cheers by the men on the hulk and wharf. • fe; On Saturday night tbe Canterbury Tradeß •Bid LaboirCoancil pMied resolutions calling on the Unionists to hold fast to their principles t in-thft present eriiis; also expr«ssing the entire oonfidcoce.in the Maritime Coonoil |p wfepw J* v promijes nxonU an* fifiadeial 1

assistance ; and staging . that th a ..Codnoil codiraers the matters in dispute "shottia* be submitted to arbitration. A meeting of Unionists and others is called for Friday night to consider the present difficulty. x ■'■■ : *": A branch oMhe Shearers; and Laborers' Union has been formed at Geraldine, and thirty members we^a enrolled. • Waimate and Temuka School Commitkea have resolved to boycott Whitoombe and Tombs' publications until theHxade dispute with them is ssttled. LYTTELTON, August SO* . \ Matters oonnected with the duike are of course quiet to-day. . . The Takapuna got away for Wellington at 11.20 p.m. last night, the Hon. George McLean being a paesenger. Rumors were, rife that she had only 3 seamen and 2 firemen on board, but the oaptain stated he had sufficient crew to go U sea, but he refused to muster them whf>r> asked by the Mayor to do so, that the puh'<:c feeliug could bs satisfied on tbe matter. Toe feeling on the wharf, where a large crowd had assembled, even at the late hour, was thai itwas time the authorities took etepa to see that vessels left (he port properly manned.. The aettond and third officers of the TakapUna with th- officera from the Colae, Tekapo, and Wakatipu came out yesterday. They met the Han G. McLean last night, who advised them to go to Welliogton »& hold a confer irc3 with tbe Directors of the Company. They refused, but offered to go to Dunedio. Everything is orderly. , It is stated that tbe cooks and stewards will oome oat in a few days> The cargo steamer Mamari got away at 5 a.m. to-da/. Tne balance of her coal and a faw trucks of grass seed were put on board by the clerks and others,. One of tbe ol&rks who was shovelling coal in the trucks fell down between the wharf and the steamer, and had a narrow escape from being killed. Captain Grant ef the Takapuna denies that any threats were made to his officera to oompel them to make the voyage from Wellington to Lyttelton GISBORNE, August 31. The wharf laborers and lightermen here refuse to handle the cargoes of the Bteamers Wairarapa and Waihora There is plenty of free labor avai'able. The one seaman on the Company's launch has been called out, and he goes. AUCKLAND. August 31. The steamer Waihora having obtained a free labor drew let); last tight for Gisborne and Bouth. The vessel has taken several txtra men. During the evening the officers oama ashore but returned on board befo:e her departure, and left with the steamer. The steamer Australia arrived this morn* ing from Wellington and East Coast. It is probable her crew will strike to- morrow, tiut nothing ia known of the intention of her officers. * The steamer Orewaiti ariived yasterday at OnebuDga from Westport, with a cargo of. coal. The seamen struck work, and after discharging part of oargo the lumpers also went out. One firm in the City have offered the Union Company the services of fifty men in removing cargo. The Auckland Bowing Club resolved last night to give assistance to tbe same Company, and over thirty enrolled themselves for the purpose. The Auckland Typographical Association have decided by a large majority tbat they will net recognise girl labor. SIDNEY, • August 31. Seven thousand Unionists, princip.lly strikers, pa- aded the streets yesterday afternoon and held a huge meeting in the Exhibition buildings, which was aUended by upwards of 10,000 people. A resolution was carried unanimously that as the principle of Unionism is threatened by monopolists, this meeting declares the right of labor to combine for mutual defence and advancement, and that it must be maintained in the interests of the Australian democracy. Tbe speakers deprecated the Newcastle riot, which they said could have "been prevented had the Government done its duty. The Secretary of tbe Shearers Union announces that he is ready with £100.000. MELBOURNE, August 31. The Secretary of the Employers Union haß received cable messages from London mer ohanta offering to give every assistance in their power. In order to conserve the gag supply, the city will be without gas to-night, and it is not likely that any of the Church services will bs held. The police have warned the Union pickets patrolling the wharves and gasworks to de3ist or they would be arrested. The Metropolitan Gag Company announce that it will be able to resume th supply as usual from to-morrow, as the v c laborers are now expejt in the makir^ i ca 3 . The Employers' Union his considered a letter from the Strike Comm.tiec, suggesting that the time has arrived for a conference to discuss the baaisof a settlement of the present d;ffioulty, and the letter was referred to the conference of employeis to be held in Sydney on the 5.h September. The Trades' Council bitterly reeeut the action ot the Government in calling out the militaiy. NEWCASTLE, August 31. j A number of cases of shanghaeing of free labor are reported. One man was found in a gutter drugged, and he had apparently been assaulted. ■ A conference of miners will be held at Sydney on Monday. ADELAIDE, August 31. The Trades Council have writen to the Chamber of Commerce atatiog that their Executive is prdDgred to meet the Steamship Owners AssociatHlEand Employers in conference on Monday. LONDON, August 29. In response* to cablegrams from Australia for monetary assistance in connection wiih the maritime strike the Dockers' Union wired to all the branobes in Great Britaio, asking for special daily donations. They are also requesting help from other local Unions. A meeting of delegates fron the various Trades Councils has been called to organise a National Defence Fund. Condon is placarded with manifestoes of the meetings. The Newcastle shipowners have decided to join the proposed Union. August 30. It is projected to form a Shipowners Union, and it will probably be supported by all the email kindred Associations. All the leadiDg shipping bodies will be represented at a meeting on Tuesday. A. scheme ia on foot to form a Free Labor Association, the members of whioh are to be non-Unionists. This movement is in oppoeition to tbe Bcbeme which is being formed to turn the Lookers Union into a Co-operative Guild of restricted members. ..■• The 'Daily Telegraph' denounces John Burns for introducing coercion icfto tbe labor agitation, and in the course of the same article warns the Trades Union Congress, which is to be held at Liverpool, against encouraging the modern developments of Labor Unions. The ' Shipping Gazette' says that London is gradually losing its position as the centre of the world's commerce. Capital, it remarks, cannot be cribbed and confined by the dock laborers, who are better paid and work shorter hoars than was the case previous to the great dock strike. ... •,-'•".. ;■■■<• Half of the first £1,000 contributed by the dockers to the Australian strikers will be sent to Melbourne, and the remainder to Sydney. Collections were to be made on the London docks and wharves to-day. A huge demenstratien is proposed, and posters will be got out inviting the Britishers to rally for Australiai ■ : >,>. „.=;; -.■ J 'k If the branches consent the National Sailors Union will send £1,000 tothe Colonies (■ > The coal porters i and jpthers are holding a meeting with: » ;viewAto ; giving '^pecuniary assistance to :the;»trik^ i< will be proppßed ratthe;Liverpopl Trades Union Hf^ngreiiif 'ttpresupg: i»yrnp»thy with ithe^Anßfralianß, and urging all Unions to support them. . \ - ? The • Saturday Beview' says that if the employers show; resolution, and self sacrifice

The Associated Shipowners have resolved atall costa to uphold the action of the Ship. , owners 1 Association in Victoria in regard to th 9 marine officers disassociating thenieelvea from other t»3iea. : CHICAGO. August 80. The strike of switchmen employed in the • railway stook yercU in this city has collapsed* c , BRUSSELS, August $9* There la great excitement amongst the coal, miners at Mons, and as a disturbance is feared the military are being held in readiness to preserve order. CAieUTDA. August 28. Calcutta importers are meeting to consider the crisis caused by the rise in exchango. They are against stopping sales at presents