The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-10-04
iIRIkES IN AUSTRALIA |
Frigin of. the Recent Labor Dis
lturbanees in the Third.
/ Continent.
{ Long Had Been Apparent That
/ There Would be q Great
q Crash.
cHapp NJ. Rvrr,, "a aam rim -
he Situation stlll Far From Reassurtna
-Prioes of Provisions May Reach
Famine Rates.

NErBouRNr, Oct. 3.-For months past
ificulties have been cropping up between
,e steamship owners and the various mari
me labor bodies of Australia, on questions
fecting wages, the number OF working
ours per day, ETC.. but these have been
ther temporarily met or deferred, though
I has been apparent for q considerable
me that sooner or later matters must
,me to head. Eventually the cause of
10 dispute which has brought about the
isis arose in regard to the Marine Officers
,sociation, a body comprising officers
Their than the captains employed on
arious coastalsand intercolonial steam
%, who for some time past have
cen agitating for increased pay,
larger number of officers for each boat
ad other minor matters. The demands of
le officers association were conceded to be
list by the steamship owners, who, howev-
!, stipulated in conceding what was asked
,r that the association should not be affil-
ted with any labor organization as tending
subversion of discipline. This stipula-
on was objected to by the officers, on the
round they should be left free to make any
rrangements they might please in their
wn interests. Az the owners, however, -ad
cred to their proviso the officers, who were
romised the assistance of the seamea,
harf laborers, cooks and stewards and
,al Jumpers. decided to 90 out on strike.
ad on Saturday, the 10Th ult., the officers
ere all called out on the boats then in port.
A considerable number responded to the
i'll, and as each boat arrived the officers
ent ashore, with the exception of those
d the boats Of the Tasmanian Steamship
ompany. On the following Tuesday the
Ulcers were joined by the federated sea-
len, cooks and stewards, wharf laborers,
ad coal Jumpers. who refused to load or
nload the vessels as they arrived, and
Sent out on strike. As each steamer came
ito port the men and officers went off at
le termination of the time notified by
,em, some even declining to give the
equisite notice; and at the present time
| is anticipated that in Sydney alone no
|sss than 6,OOO men have gone out, apart
.om others who have been thrown out of
Employment.
| So far other trades have not assisted the
Itovement other than by monetary assist
nee, with the exception of the men en-
'ioyed on the Port jackson steamship COM
any's boats, who have been called out
JUNIORS of the projected striking of other
yabor organizations have been rife, but so
| ,r the rumors have remained unveri6ed,
/ nd the contest is virtually confined to the
(aaritime labor bodies and the steamShip
lwners. The action of the coal Jumpers
had wharf laborery, however, in refusing to
| ork on any vessels, whether oversee steam
q or ships, has caused considerable hard
talip; but the owners have met the difficulty
ty employing non-unlon labor, and in the
taeantime, at any rate, it is not expected
nat there will be any difficulty in dispatch
big the mail boats to date.
| As result of the strike and the laying up
liz nearly all the boats trading between
ydney and other ports in Australia. the
Faously increased, and ii is anticipated that
fairs will be greatly intensified. SO far
lere is an ample supply of food stocks for
Immediate consumption, but unless, rs
ley hope to do. some of the coastal trad
lag companies are able to get their boats
way with non-union crews, the supplies of
otatoes. coal, flour and other neoessaries
! ill speedily reach famine rates.
4 It is anticipated that the struggle will be
long anu bitter one. In other matters,
t1ch as the difficulties between the shear
ire and paE.oralists, everything is temper
krily in allegiance pending the decision of
k5ne strike, as the various labor organiza-
kons appear to be determined to concen-
|s.ate all their efforts upon gaining victory
sver the employers.
u