LABOR DISPUTES.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2087, 19 August 1890, Page 1

LABOR DISPUTES.

London, Aug. 15. Under the terms of the arrangement with the railway men of South Wales, a week’s work generally is to consist of 60 hours. The London Trades Council have instructed its delegates to vote in favor of eight hours a day being made legal at the Liverpool Conference. The Cardiff Dock Company have given the unionists notice to leave unless they choose to work with non-unionists. From the final balance-sheet of the dock strike funds it appears that the colonial contributions reached a total of £37,270. The dockers celebrate the anniversary of the strike by a meeting in Hyde Park on Sunday. A tremendous gathering is expected. It is estimated that in the short period the men were out, half a million in wages was sacrificed. Shipping returns show that for the last month the tonnage entered in at London was 140,000 tons less than in the corresponding period in 1889. The cause is attributed to the labor agitation. Aug. 16. Fifty thousand of the men out in South Wales have resumed work, and it is expected that a compromise will be arranged with the Cardiff dockers. The coal trade at Portsmouth is paralysed, owing to the strike of porters and carriers. New York, Aug. 15. The settlement of the difficulty of the Now York Central Railway has not yet been completed, but is dragging slowly onward. Melbourne, Aug. 15. Fearing a strike the Railway Commissioners have secured a fortnight’s gupply of coal, and have arranged for

farther supplies to run the trains in the| event of the strike being a protracted one. Sydney, Aog. 15. The shipping companies are withdrawing their advertisements and time-tables on the ground that they arc unable to regulate the movements of the steamers owing to the impending labor difficulties. Aug. 16. Mr Spence, president of the Shearers’ Union, states that 2SB labor societies are supporting the shearers in the present dispute. The Shearers’ Union are calling in next year’s as well as this year’s subscription from its members, to provide the necessary funds for ihe impending struggle. NEW ZEALAND. Mr J. A. Millar, secretary of the Maritime Council has pub ished a letter in the Otago Daily limes. He says that no strik'v will take place re Whitcorabe. and Tombs, but (hat null theyfall, j t n f yrjlh the general practice of tbeir trade this company will be comipelled to stand out io miserable relief as the only firm in, the op'ony who refuse to recognise the right# of labor and principles of, unionism. The council appeal with confidence to the public, whose comfort and welfare are wantonly sought to bo imperilled, to mark tbeir appreciation of this company’s tactics by refraining from purchasing their goods or countenancing ibero in any way. To unionists, no appeal is necVssary. In conclusion the council desire to express their deep gratitude to the various labor organisations in Australia and New Z°aland for their loyal, generous, and sympathetic support. Thanks are also accorded to the agents of Messrs Whitcoinbe and Tombs throughout New Zealand for their ready assistance.' They will not be allowed to lose thereby, and will be fully protected against unfair competition by the unions throughout the colony. The council view ’ with perfect indifference the probability of a few taunting them with over-moderation. The representatives of so strong and combined a body as the unionists of this colony can afford to be independent. With their heavy responsibilities they cannot afford to be rash or hasty in their movements, as by so doing they may injure the welfare of the whole colony.”

Christchurch, August 16. There is a general feeling of relief here at Mr Miller’s announcement that there will be no s rike over Whitcorabe and Tombs, Impartial people express the opinion that the Maritime Council have acted common iably in dec'ining to involve the whole colony in a struggle. Whitcombe’s supporters say they have gained a victory. GrEYMOUTH, Ang. 15. The dismantling bf the Wall.-end mine is now completed. Everything at the mine is stopped. All bauds are discharged, throwing 149 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 rework the mine it would take three months to pnmp it out. 0 amaru, August 16, On Thursday evening the Livingstone School Committee passed a resolution asking the Education Board to substitute some reading book for that published by Whitcombe and Tombs. Dhnbdin, August 16.

At a meeting of the Dunedin Typographical Association the members resolved to endeavor to the best of their ability to prevent the use of Whitcombe and Tombs’ pob'icaiions in the schools, A report from a committee appointed to interview the printers in the city stated that they had ra»de favorable arrangements re apprentices and girl labor. Balclutha, 15. A public meeting held in the County Hall this afternoon was very largely attended by settlers and others, the mayor presiding. The following resolutions, moved by Mr W. Christie and seconded by Mr William Dallas, were carried unanimously :—(l) “ That this meeting deeply sympathises with Messrs Whitcombe and Tombs in the struggle that has been forced upon them by an irresponsible organisation for the maintenance of their individual independence and freedom of action in the coed act of their own lawfulbusinesp, and expresses the hope, that they will be able to check the reign of tyranny, oppression, and terror with which the countrv j„ threatened at the bands of the said organisation.” (2) “That in the opinion of this meeting the action of the Maritime Council and its emissaries is illegal conspiracy— »an indictable offence against British law— -and that Messrs Whitcombe and Tombs should at once institute legal proceedings to punish the conspirators” (3) “That this meeting desires respectfully to congratulate the Railway Commissioners on the just and independent stand they have taken in this matter, and assures them that in any action, that may be ncessary to meet the threatened emergency of a strike of the railway servants they will have the hearty sympathy and co. oration o “ho (jetllerg g£ (jotwlry ”