WHITCOMBE& TOMBS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 2823, 16 August 1890, Page 2

WHITCOMBE& TOMBS.

(HV TBLEIIUAI'H.— I'KESsS ASSOCIATION.) Cmusieiiuitcil, Thursday. Thkuh is no fresh development of the Whitconibe and Tombs dispute. Du.veijin, Thursday. There is no news of a reliable nature regarding thu action which the Maritime Council will take in the dispute, with Whitcuinbe and Tombs. AH kinds of rumours arn living about. It is cert iin that the Maritime Council regard the firm's last letter refusing arbitration as final. The general opinion is that if there is to be a strike, the sooner it is settled tho better, as the present uncertainty is worrying to business men. / It is generally stated tft-day that there were dissensions among the labour party as to the course to be adopted, and it is freely reported that Mr J. A. Miller has resigned the Secretaryship of the Maritime Council. Liter. A Times representative having waited on Mr Millar late to-nipht, he was antlm i<ed to contradict the statement that Mr Millai intended to resign the Secretaryship of the Maritime Council, and also to contradict the statement that the wlmif labourers at the Bhilf would strike in the morning. Wkluxu ton, Thursday. It is understood that if lliu railway employees are called out there will not be a general response from the North Island. The Herald's special reporter telegraphs from Wellington on Thursday :—With reference to the possibility of a general strike on the railways in connection with the Whitcombu and Tombs boycott, I bclifivi; I am warranted in stating that the authorities see their way to carry on the railway service of the colony even if the threatened strike should be carried out. L irge supplies of coals and stores have long been laid by as a precaution against any sudden surprise, and I understand also tliat a provisional scheme has been drawn up for a modified service in ' ise aliircc number of tho men should obey a sudden "call out." Service trains would be run. and a continuous r-ei , - vice-ill all the. main lines of tile colony could and would be maintained, although lam not at liberty to divulge the particulars as to the Hindus operaudi. \s 1 have said, it is considered quite feasible to carry on the railway service, even if the threatened strike should be carried out incise of the worst; iiiiytliinir like a complete pnralysii of the carrying trade is therefore not apprehended.