THE "EFFECTIVE STRIKE" AT AN END

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14833, 26 November 1913, Page 11

THE "EFFECTIVE STRIKE" AT AN END

AUCKLAND'S ACTIVITIES NEARLY NORMAL.

(rBESS ASSOCIATION TEUCGRAM.) AUCKLANI>, November 25. Tho effective strike may be said to have ceased to-day, with the decision of "the bricklayers to return to work. A secret ballot was taken, and tho Union decided by 84 votes to 32 to return to work to-morrow. The Union resolved to make a levy of 5 per cent, on married men and 7i per cent, on single men for the strike fund. The "strike" is really now being carried on by men who have lost their jobs, and a few "diehards." Not one of the normal activities of Auckland is now prevented by the strike, and though a few businesses are stili a little inconvenienced, this effect also will pass within a few days. It is safe to say that the strike is now being felt more. in the country, owing to the withdrawal of co many men for police duty, than in the city. The strike is now practically confined to the wateraiders, seamen and carters, and its futility will be apparent from the following tacts: —As many men are employed on the wharves as before the etrike; no difficulty is experienced in getting all the crews required; the number of carters available is proving sufficient, and the regular carters who do not return within a few days will find their places filled. The brewery employees, general labourers, and carters are still drifting back to work, and it is significant that even the carters, labourers, and waterside workers have been refused work because there was none for them. Over 100 members of the old Waterside Workers' Union applied for work on the wharves to-day, and expressed their willingness to join the new union, but there was no work for them. The strike is now confined to the following:—2so carters, 100 general labourers, 900 watersiders (whose places hrfve been filled), 100 hotel workers whose places liave been filled),. 100 Harbour Bward men (whose places have ibeen filled), and a number of seamen. A PERMANENT RESERVE FORCE. Tho Citizens' Defence Committee has decided that wlien the special foot constables aro disbanded) it will keep a permanent register containing the names of. 500 men who are willing to serve : at a day's notice to preserve law and order in the community, should occasion arise. It was pointed out by the committee's official that the Auckland wharves were "tied up" for ten days by the action of an unruly strike gicket, the regular police seemingly eing powerless to maintain order on tho waterfront. The organisation of a reserve force of citizens of the kind proposed was reported as being actively taken up by the "specials" now on duty, with great enthusiasm. A large majority of the present "specials" have voluntarily announced that after they are disbanded they will come forward on any future occasion to help tho regular forces to keep peace and maintain good government. It has been decided to .keep tho Citieens' Defence Committee as a permanent institution. Regular officers have, been elected and the committee has in hand a fund of over £2000. On behalf of the committee, it is explained j that it is. in no way antagonistic to Labour, but will remain in existence for , , the nurpose, should the occasion arise, of assisting the regular forces. The events of the past few weeks, the committee considers, have. demonstrated the fact that such an organisation is needed.