LABOUR DISPUTES IN NEW ZEALAND.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 8869, 30 August 1890, Page 2

LABOUR DISPUTES IN NEW ZEALAND.

FREE LABOR OFFERING.

Wellington, August 30. — In response to the Union Company's advertisement for seamen, firemen, and trimmers, a large number of non-Unionists presented themselves yesterday at the Company's office and applied for the vacancies, caused by the men withdrawing from the steamers. The local representatives feel confident, from the manner in which the free laborers are coining forward, that they will be able to keep several of the other boats going. The Union Co. have added to their advertisement for seamen, &c, that " good men need not be afraid of coming forward, and that assurance will be given of permanent employment." The Union Co.'s clerks express their willingness to assist in discharging the steamer Wairarapa. on her arrival. ■ Both the Takapuna for South and the Kaneiri for Blenheim, manned with nonUnion crews, Bailod this afternoon. > The free laborers are being kept below until the steamers leave the wharf. - The" Wharf Carters' and Expressmen's Union decline to handle any goods in connection with the Union Company's vessels. 400 SEAMEN OUT ON STRIKE. The strike among ■the seamen and wharf laborers continues, and it is estimated that 400 men are out. PENGUIN EXPECTED TO LEAVE THIS EVENING. The Penguin's cargo is still on board, 1 bnt the Company expect to get her away for the north this evening. PROSECUTION OF STRIKERS. Legal advice is being taken with a riew of prosecuting the crew, who left last night, without giving notice. The crew of the Wanaka, which anived from New- j Plymouth this morning, are out. OFFICERS OF STEAMERS. None of the officers of the Company's vessels in port have as yet given notice to leave. The Arawatea has not yet discharged, but the crew are out. The Rotokino has been anchored in the stream, the Company fearing an attempt might be made to cut the rope or interfere with the crew. It is not likely she will leave the port for a day or two. MEETING AT WESTPORT. Westport, August 30. — A meeting of citizens was numerously attended. The leading merchants said there was only three weeks' supply of food in Westport, and one week's at Denniston. An association, to be called the Chamber of Commerce was formed, and a committee was appointed to collect information as to the best steps to take to meet the present emergency and report to another public meeting. . FREIGHT RAISED AT WESTPOT. The Anchor Line and the Union Companies have raised freights to Westport 50 per cent. STRIKE OF RAILWAY MEN. ■ Yesterday two separate gangs of railway men.refused to load coal, and were consequently suspended. All tho workshop .hands, permanent way men, and several others are now out. The whole of the railway staff are expected to go out, and the train service is entirely suspended since •last night. LEVY OF TEN SHILLINGS A MAN. A levy of ten shillings a man has been struck for the support of the lumpers on strike. A CURIOUS REQUEST. A deputation from the Seamen's Union is to wait upon the Collector of Customs and offer a protest to vessels which are manned by free labor being allowed to leave the harbor. FARMERS' SONS WORKING STEAMERS. Lyttelton, August 30.— The Union Company engaged a number of hands to help to unload the boats. Farmers and their Bons offered their services, wLile merchants and others were also in the train. About 800 were on the platform at Christchurch to sco them off, and there was a little groaning but no disturbance. The Union Company state that they have as much labor as they want to unload the vesse's, At Lyttelton yesterday, the Rotorua Was discharged and loaded by railway permanent hands, but the quantity ot cargo on her was very small. She left for Dunedin soon after 4 o'clock, taking the crows of the Wakatipu and Te Kapo. • Shortly after 2 o'clock yesterday, thii teen volunteers went to the Wairarapa to discharge the general cargo, a task at which they were not more adept than at ! landing the coal. All stuck pluckily to tho work, and improvement wap maoifost in tbc erenjßgi The 60 have |»«>

divided into reliefs, and have arranged to work all night. Mr. G. G. Stead, assisted by several prominent citizens is directing affairs. UNION MEET TO CONSIDER AFFAIRS. Dunedin, August 30. — A meeting of the various Trade Unions is convened by the Trades and Labor Council and the Maritime Council for Monday, to consider the difficulty.