Conference of Employers.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6954, 8 September 1890, Page 3

Conference of Employers.

Abundance of Free Labour. The Premier Declines to Mediate. [Special to Pbbsb Association.] [Becelvea. Sept. 8, at 10.35 a.m.J bTDNEf, Sept. 8. The Taieri has Bailed for Wellington, via Brisbane, where ehe will take in coal, Eleven steamers have got away from Sydney since Saturday. At a meeting of Broken Hill miners, 5000 were present. They condemned the action of the owners in shutting down 83 unjustifiable, and demanded that the men should be called out. The Executive met later, and decidedly to instantly call out the men. Nearly 9000 are thus affected. Five hundred pickets patrolled last night, for the purpose of preventing free labour entering the mines. MELBOURNE, Sept. 8. The Employers' Union, in reply to a .request from the Trades and Labour Council for a conference, states that the action taken by the various Trades and Labour Councils, and involving all trade organisations in Australia and New Zealand, had deprived the Victorian Employers' Union of the privilege of effecting any local basis of settlement, and had given the dispute quite an international character. Nothing could be done till after the conference of employers, which is to be held in Sydney. The Typographical Society has given .£SOO to the strike fund. [Pes Pbkbs Association.] AUCKLAND, Sept. 8. Things are quiet on the wharves. The | mail steamer Mariposa experienced no difficulty, having coaled at Sydney. She was loaded here by non-Union labour, and left for San Francisco this afternoon. The ship Waitangi is being discharged by her i crew. ! The barquentine Carrie L. Tyler, with food stuffs from Lyttelton, is being diacharged by free labour. WELLINGTON, Sbpt. 8. The Union Company has found Wellington the worst of all the ports to work, owing to the scarcity of labour. The Times says that the Premier has withdrawn from any attempt as mediator for the present. Sir Harry looked into the matter, but did not find that he was likely to be successful just now. Over a hundred and fifty tons of flour and potatoes have come in from Wairarapa, besides large quantities from Blenheim and Manawatu. ' Arrived— Southern Cross. She is being discharged by non-Union labour, of which an over abundance is offering. Upwards of 300 working men have joined the Employers' Free Labour Association. Seventeen officers have rejoined the Union Company. The officers who came down by the Penguin, declined to see tho Hon G. M'Lean, but desired to go on South. Captain Highman has also asked for a passage South. A dray of Messrs Cottrell and Company's was hooted on the wharf this morning, and the pin was taken out by the crowd. The dray was sent back in consequence. The sailors and firemen on Messrs Levin and Co.'s steamers, Wakatu and Queen of the South, both of which were to have tailed to-day, have struck on account of the firm employing free labour. NELSON, Sept. 8. At the Wesleyan Church last night, the Eev F. Isitt, who is also Pcesident of the Nelson Labour Union, said that it was almost unpardonable that a man like Sir Robert Stout, of sagacity and education, should give such advice as wa3 contained in the letter to the Otago Daily Times. If such advice was not the result of political insincerity, it argued the existence of an amazing mental and moral fog. His position was absolutely untenable on any principle of right. OAMAEU, Sept. 8. The Wakatipu arrived from Lyttelton at 8 a.m. The lumpers were immediately called out and came to a man. One hundred and fifty free labourers available were persuaded not to work. The carters and etoremen aleo struck. One hatch worked three or four free labourers and the crew, railway, men working the trucks. It is stated that the veesel is inefficiently manned, the majority of the crew being inexperienced farm hands. There was no disturbance save a little jeering from larrikins, the Unionists holding aloof. It is rumoured that the crew will be persuaded to strike. DUNEDIN, Sept. 8. The discharging of the cargo of the New Zealand Shipping Company's Piako is not interrupted. There has been some misception on that point. INVEECAEGILL, Sept. 8. The meeting of the Eailway employees , decided to take a ballot before striking. The general feeling is against, although Borne are strongly in favour. The meeting" was unanimous that action be taken for the reinstatement of the employees dismissed atWeßtport and Lyttelton. Money iB to be remitted, and if the men be not reengaged there is likely to bo a etrika on this point.