The Strikes.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 2502, 6 September 1890, Page 3

The Strikes.

(Per Press Association.)

(by telegraph.) Auckland, Yesterday.

This morning the whole of the crews of the Northern Steamship Company’s steamers in port here struck without a moment’s notice, and left the vessels at once. The officers also atraok, leaving only the captains, stewards, engineers, and cooks on board. The reason assigned is that the Northern Company assisted the Union Company by taking their fire bars up to Russell for the Pukaki, and also brought non-uniooists laborers to town for the Union Company. The men are perfectly sa.isfied with their treatment by the Northern Company, and regret having to go out on strike. The crews of the Clansman, Wellington and Rowena are out, and the crews of oilier vessels join them on arrival in port. The Wellington has shipped a non-union crew. She brought down from Whangarei 30 non-unionists for the Union Company. . Messrs Ralph Bros., Huntley, having given a guarantee not to supply the Union Company’s vessels, their miners have come back, and tbe mine is working again. Wellington, Yesterday.

The steamer Jubilee arrived from the south this morning. Her crew, who are unionists, and several local noion men, discharged her. She left for Sydney thin afternoon. There was a little cheering as the vessel left the wharf. The Government have chartered the steamer Lawrence to proceed to Greymouth for a cargo of coal. Dunedin, Yesterday.

The compositors of the Evening Star newsroom have voted £lO of the “chapel funds to aid the strikers. Christchurch, Yesterday. The Belfast Freezing Works will close on Tuesday next, on account of scarcity of fuel and stoppage of business. There were 142 non-unionist laborers working in port to-day. Fourteen days’ notice of cessation of wor k has been given at the Kaiapoi Clothing Factory. The woollen mills stop this A crowded meeting was held in the Theatre to-night under the auspices of the labor unions, about 200 being present. The proceedings were very orderly. Mr S. Packer, president of the Trades and Labor Council, presided. The meeting passed resolutions approving the policy of tbe Maritime Council ; expressing the opinion that the Union Steamship Company should withdraw from the Australian Shipowners’ Association in their own and the colony’s interests; deprecating the aggressive policy adopted by capital ; condemning the present universal system of competition as being the cause of the difficulty between capital and labor ; recommending mutual co-operation ; and regretting the action of the so-called free laborers. The tone of the speeches was conciliatory to some extent, but most of the speakers considered that there was a determined attempt on the part of some capitalists to crush the labor organisations generally. A collection was made for unionists out of work, and £l9 6s was obtained. Wellington, This day. The Times, in reply to Mr Seymours’ letter, refused to sebmit to dictation in any shape or form, and states they will publish what they think right, when and how they think right. A number of officers have returned to the Union Company, and more have intimated their intention of doing so. The number altogether is about thirteen. The following circular was issued by the Railway Commissioners to-day to all their employees throughout the colony : “The Railway Commissioners have found with regret that some of their employees have been persuaded to act recklessly and foolishly in disobeying orders, and that they have broken faith by refusing to observe the rules of their engagement. The Commissioners desire to remind all their employees that the only condition on whioh they can be employed as public servants on the Government railways is that they st ictly obey the rules and regulations made under the authority of the laws of tbe colony. Those employees who cannot conscientiously continue to obey, the rules are advised to give notice in a p.oper and orderly manner, and resign their places. Those who, as herotofore, do their duty as public servants, faithfully and loyally, will have the entire support and assistance of the Commissioners in aDy difficulties which may ariße.” Dunedin, This day. A number of merchants have resolved to give 24 hours’ notice to the carters and storemen to choose whether they will remain in their situations or leave the Union.