THE STRIKE AT TIMARU.

Timaru Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4932, 3 September 1890, Page 3

THE STRIKE AT TIMARU.

Yesterday morning a conference was held between Mr McLaren, muuager for the N.Mand A. Company, agonls for the barque Aehmore, and Mr Mathews, secretary to the local branch of the Wharf Labourers' Union, respecting tho refusal of the labourers to loud that vessel. Mr Mathews exprossed regret that the mon had been called out, and explained that it was done chiefly under irritation from the belief that the resolutions passed at tho employers' meeting on Saturday were meant as an endorsement of the telegram from Nelson Bros, read at that meeting. He had been assured chat that was not the case. Mr McLaren also assured him that it was not co ; that the resolutions would have been passed had no such message boen received. Mr Mathews asked that the matter bo referred to arbitration. Mr MoLaren said that he had given tbo seamen the work (for extra pay), and he could not tuUo it from them, but if the wharf labourers liked he would give them ono hatch while tho seamen worked another. Mr Mathewß eaid he could not accept that ; it was against their rules for tho lumpers to work m the same ship with seamen. Mr McLaren said it would be wrong for him to throw over the seamen. He would send them a reply m writing and they could consider it. Mr McLaren aocordingly wrote the following letter to Mr Mathows : — " With regard to your application this morning about the Ashmore, I can only now repeat what I told you, that having given the seamen on board the work, I could not now take it away from them. At the same time, if your men are willing to return to work, we have no objection to employ a gang of them, or as many as we can find work for, tho seamen to be allowed to work as well. I am not m favour, and never have been, of giving stowing work to other than lumpers, but m tbis case I cannot throw over the euilora who so willingly undertook the work yesterday, co that unless you can see your way to fall m with my proposal we shall finish tho barque with the men now at work m her hold." Yesterday mornicg two railway men, shunters, were m the trucks handling caskß of pelts for the seamen to tako on board and stow. It was remarked that this was contrary to the statement m a telegram yesterday morning that the Commissioners had given orders that railway men were to restrict themselves to their ordinary duties and not undertuko anything beyond the usual railway practice. Mr Mathewß wont to Dunodin yostorday afternoon to lay tho local affair before the Executive of the Council. Tho Timaru School C'ommittoo decline to interfere m tbo nmttor of boycotting Whitocombe and Tombs' echoolbooka. The Auckland City Committee replied that they have no jurisdiction m the matter. Tho Pinko Council declined to tako action at the request of the Oamaru Farmers' and Employors Club, m forming a Union of employers with a view to tho establishment of a united New Zealand Council to act m the interests of employers ac against labour unions. Tho chairman eaid tha feeling between farmers and their employees m that part of the country woe good, and he should bo sorry to disturb it. What farmers want is not a reduction m the coat of labour, but a market for their produce ; and a combination of some kind to bring producer and conturner face to face, and bo divido the middleman's enormous charges between thorn, is the only combination they require. The Christchuroh Trados and Labour Council by tho following resolution show that they recognise that the contest is not now over an Australian dUpute : — " That m tho opinion of this Council the strugglo hotwoen labour and capital now being carried on by tho Maritime Council involves the existence of Unionism, and the Council calls upon all members of Unions to hold fast to their principles. At tho same time it considers that the matter m dispute should bo submitted to arbitration." Before tha Takapuna left Lyttolton on Saturday night, Mr P. Brown, President of the Wharf Labourers' Union and his Worship the Mayor waited upon the Hon. G. McLean and suggested that the Maritime Council should be oalled together to meet the directors of the Union Steamship Company, with the idea of coming to a friendly settlement, Mr Ml.onn siid ho could do nothing on his own account, but he would sot Die wiroß to work as soon as ho reached Wellington, and would telegraph a reply to Lyttelton. For his put be hoped it could be sottlod. Ho had always been satisfied with the position of the men ; but the fact was tho Union steamship Company had been drawn into the disputo m the same manner as the Maritime Council hud, viz., by being connected with tho Australian organisations ; and, for the present, he was afraid matter would have to stand as they were. What will the outcome and solution of all this be ? For steamboat companies to lay up their vessels and stop their trade means ruin m a very short time. These vessels are enormously costly, and to throw them out of work for any considerable^ period must cause great loss m large sums of money earning no interest. Tlie shareholders m these companies will not stick to their interests. Some of them will be compelled to sell their shores for whatever they can get, whilo othere will fell to avoid tho ohanco of further loss. The directors, we pwsiimo, will feel it their duly to rotftin thoir intorests, but they will find that they are sacrificing themselves for people who are doing tho best thoy can for themselves individually. (Auckland Herald),