STRENGTH OF THE NEW UNION.

Press, Issue 14828, 20 November 1913, Page 8

STRENGTH OF THE NEW UNION.

TE ANAU AS HOUSE-BOAT AT LYTTELTON. (special to "the press.") WELLINGTON, November 19. Twenty-four steamers will bo berthed at tho various wharves to-morrow, and there wore twenty vessels alongside at 5 p.m. to-day, and only four of them were not working cargo, ihe number of vessels- at present anchored in tho stream is nineteen. Included in the latter are the Hinemoa and tne schooner Falcon in Evans Bay.

Now that the coastal services have been resumed the various sheds round the wharves are being relieved of transhipments ; in fact, the port has assumed its every-day appearance, and everything is working smoothly. Over-, sea steamers to the number of seven will be working cargo at Wellington to-morrow. According to Mr W. O. Long, the secretary of the new union, 990 men had signed on the book"!, by 5 p.m. today, included in the number are <0 or 80 watersiders who went on strike on. October 22nd, and several of the best workers havo come back. A well-known foreman of labour, speaking to your representative to-day, said: —"Some of our best "coalies' have turned-to to-day. They are men that can't be beaten at the work. They are all sick and tired, of the strike, and many of the chaps would have come back days ago, but they were frightened "to make a move. You will see that now they have started the ball rolling the boys will come back quick enough. Anyhow, they will have to hurry up if they .want jobs, because we are getting such a crowd of* workers on these wharves, if they don't make up their jninds and turn-to soon, they will be left out in the cold." Jour representative had a conversation with some of the men.

The Union Company's steamer Te Anau (Captain Ritchie), which left at 11.45 this evening for Lytteiton, was engaged in taking in coal till a late hour. She is to act as house-boat for the Arbitration workers at Lytteiton.