THE LABOUR DISPUTES.

Timaru Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4969, 18 October 1890, Page 2

THE LABOUR DISPUTES.

(PkeEIECTBIO T^tEORAPH — OOPXBiOHT.) (Pxr Press Assooution.) (Kecoivcd 11 a.m., Oct. 17th. ( Melboueke, Oct. 17. Mr Champion haa cabled Home to Mr Butdb that the strike has been grossly mismanaged, and the loan of £20,000 cannot prevent its totaljfailure. The strike ia threatening the butchering trade. The masters insist on Sunday work, and the men resist. (Received 1 a.m., Ootobor 18th.) London, Oct. 17. Owing to the indolence and insolence of the labour foremen at the upper docks, the joint committee have deoided to abolish the position f ro-m November 4th. (By Tbi.e9.»aph.) WELLINGTON, Oct. 17. A movement ia on foot hiire to form a body composed of delegates from the varioua assemblies of the Knights of Labour m New Zealand, and it is suggested that the proposed body should meet m Wellington (at regular intervals for the transaction of business relating to the order. DUNHDIK, Oct. 17. So far as tba leaders of the labour party m Duoedin are aware tnere is no foaudstio* for the statement thßt oable advice has been receWed from Australia that tbe strike is about to end there The crow of the barque Hurnnui continue Jo refuse to dischargo cargo. Bome_ of them have presented themselves at the police station and asked to be removed to gaol. Tha warrants for their commitment are, however, still lying m the police court and will not be executed till the captain applies for them. In the Supreme Court to chambers argument waß heard m the motion for an :injunotion restraining tt>e trustees and the executive of the Cooks and Stewards Union from uplifting or m any way dealing with Uio £850 m the only remaining fund belonging to the onion. The cue involved the question of whether the strike had been properly ordered, After hearing argument Mr Justice Williams dismissed the motion for injunction with coet>.

i'be l/ondon "eandwioh mBB " have 'ormed a union. It was said by a speaker at be mooting when tbe union was determined >n, tfeat the aandwichmen were the poorest said of anj claas. The wages were at the jutaide Is 6d per day and for this miserable mm they had to perambulate the Btreets m ill aorta of weather. It might be a<ked how they would get. on if the contractors refused to pay the union rate of wages. In that event he would call upon the various Bmployerg of the various musio-balla and theatres. If these refused to employ union men— a very unlikely assumption— be would appeal to the whole of the trade unionists jn the localities where they were Bituated, and ask them not to patronise thoße establishments. In many oaeeii 2a 6d per day was paid by advertisers for each sandwich board man a services. Of this tbe contraotor pooketedls3d for his day's wages. Was this fair treatment ? The romedy was clear, and that wbb to abolish the contractor budply all their members with boards, and pay thorn for their services. Amongst the sandwichmen were many old soldiers— men who had fought and bled for their country. When they become old and worn out they wer« thrown on the labour market. These men were unablo to claim a fair rate of wages, for they were glad to get the opportunity to work at any price, but tbe union would, at any rate, be able to obtain for them as much as it was possible ta do. Id the past tbe unfortunate olass represented there that day had been " sweated and robbed " by the contractors. They were bo starred that thoy were often willing, and indeed glad, to work for any sum, however paltry and miserable, that might be offered.