AUSTRALIAN STRIKES

Waikato Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 2847, 11 October 1890, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN STRIKES

(liY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH —COPYRIGHT.)

Sydney, October ',). Till-; Employers' Association have issued a semi-official statement, which says there i.s no parallel to the present struggle in the history of Australia, and that any advocacy of a conference for a basic of settlement on the strength of past experience, is weakened by the fact that the circumstances attending tho existing strike are different entirely from those attaching to any previous conflict. Thi' contest in this case is solely on a vital principle, upon which the attitude of both parties has been clearly defined, and until some sign of wavering is shown by either side, it is useless to enter into a conference.

Tho employers, from tho time the question of a conference was first broached, have (proceeds the statement) stated distinctly that nothing would be gained by sotting up a conference, and they have pointed out that it was a forced struggle for the right to manage their own affairs. The terms upon which they hud expressed themselves willing to conduct business in the future were only such as were required, to render their position tolerable. So long as the principles for which they contended failed to meet acknowledgement bythc other side, they had no alternative but to continue tho struggle There has been no temporising on tho point, and there hud buen no attempt to mislead anybody as to the real sentiments of the employers on the question of a conference. The employers had clearly set forth certain jH'ineiples, and they were determined at all costs to adhere to them. The attitude they had assumed throughout had been a defensive one, and their very existence as employers depended on their firm adherence to tin; lines laid down in tho minute of the Employers' Conference held in Sydney recently, and there can be no departure from the resolutions passed at that conference. The statement goes on to say that it would 'ie dishonest and misleading to protend that the employers are prepared, to arrive at any compromise that may have the effect of wholly, or even partly, annulling tho calm and deliberate decisions of tho associated employers of Australasia. The employers have large funds, and have experience to guide thorn in their present action, and are not going to allow any hollow sentimental notions or coercive measures to influence them in entering into a conference against their better judgment. A few men returning to work gave riso to the report that the wharf labourers were about to resume duties, and the former again left thoir work.

The Premier of Victoria has written to Sir Henry Parkos urging joint action of tho two Governments to bring about a settlement of tho labour difficulty. The latter has replied, iiHitrtily concurring in tho proposal, and stating that something must be done immediately to stop the present state of affairs.

A body of strikers havo taken possession of the Corimal Mine, Illawarra, in order to prevent free labourers working. A detachment of military was despatched to-night to dislodge them, and serious trouble is feared.

Tho Labour Conference has closed its sitting without a prospect of a settlement of the strike.