A STRIKE COMMITTEE PUBLICATION.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14836, 29 November 1913, Page 12

A STRIKE COMMITTEE PUBLICATION.

"Strike Bulletin No. 2," issued by the local Strike Committee contains the following in reference to the loading of the s.s. Defender at Lyttelton for Westport: — •.,, . "A GHOULISH ACT.'. , "Ana now comes the most disgraceful incident in New Zealand's industrial history. Forty tons of flour were required by the Defender. The millers have been shouting aloud that, they cannot get their flour away owing to tho machinations of thewicked strikers. And yet—THERE IS NO FLOOR FOR THE DEFENDER. At the time of writing, the vessel has been persistently refused flour—we will not say BY THE MILLERS' TRUST—oh, no! "LATEST. Sailed on Tuesday evening, the s.s. Defender, for Westport—whether with or without flour, we cannot say. Information was blocked by the posse of constabulary." • ' • . . Mr F. R. Corson, of-Wood Bros.,

points out regarding this:—"lt is quite evident the Rod Feds, don't know, and don't want to know the truth when they meet it, and another P ro ? f of how far they will go to pTevent their dimes becoming acquainted Wl *h »t. Hero are the facts:— fhe first intimation of the loading having been arranged was received by telegram at 10.4 a.m. on tlio 21st delivered to addressee at 10.45. The first order was loaded out anU despatched by noon the same day. The second order from another mill was forwarded by the first train, which left that evening.

Under the circumstances of the difficulty of coaling, the third order, which was largely small bags, was delayed waiting an assurance that the eh'ip would load and sail, or, as an alternative, that consignees would take all risks while in trucks. The latter was never replied to, and the assuranco of sailing was not forthcoming until about 9.30 p.m. on Monday night the loading of the flour being commenced at °'pt o'clock the next, morning. They state clearly 'forty tons of flour were required, and yet there is no flour for the Defender,' but the fact remains that the ship took away sixty-five tons of flour, which was a very handsome refusal. Regarding their statement, <whether with or without flour we cannot say, , it is quite a refreshing admission of ignorance, more especially as the whole of it was loaded on board the ship by strikers. They profess to know everything elseabout the business, out become possessed with a wonderful ignorance when the truth •will not serve their purpose." And Mr Corson concludes:—"When will the workers wake up to the way they are being fooled by these men?""