TERRORISM AT WHARVES.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1889, 25 October 1913, Page 5

TERRORISM AT WHARVES.

LAWLESS MOB OUTBREAKS.

STEAMERS RUSHED BY THE STRIKERS.

POLICE TO BE RE-INFORCED.

THE SHIPPING OPERATIONS PARALYSED.

The synopsis of the history tit the Wellington Waterside Workers' strike, and the events leading up to It from the genesis of this trouble till the present timo, are as followi—

Friday, October 17. —Shtpwrlghts asked for Incroaw In wages. Saturday, October 18.—-Slilpwrlghts ceased work,

Monday, October 20.—First mass meeting Waterside Workers' Union, at which it was decided to tail a "stop>work" meeting, to be held at 8 a.m. in Wednesday, October Z2.

Wednesday, October 2Z,—"Stop-work" meflting of Waterside Workors' Union held on wharf, at which It was doeided to cease work unless the shipwrights' claims were acceded to. Employers decided that the aot of the men was sufficient cause to terminate the existing agreement with the Union which had been onterod Into in 1912. Waterside Workers' Union hand control of strike fiver to the Federation of Labour. Union strikes.

Thursday, Ootober S.—Big maw meeting of strikers. Wharvei picketed. Union 8.8; Company pays crews olf coljlers, Free labourers, commenoe work, Negotiations between strike delegates. and employers fall. Report of Intention of Waterside Workers' Union tg register a second union under the Arbitration Act. Speeches in the Past Qffico Square

Friday, October 24.—Scenes of violenoo on the wharves, Conference of Federation of' Labour delegates proves abortive. Employers decide to cease work as far as handling cargo Is concerned, Fifty poiice guard the wharves. Warehouso dirks work cargo in small Steamers.

The cloud no bigger than a man's 1 hand represented in tho minor grievances of the Wellington Shipwrights' Union has developed into a labour storm the like of which has not been experienced in Wellington Bipeo tlio days of tho seamen's strike in 1890. Thero was at one stage faint hope of tho trouble being set right, but the parties could not agree on terms, and the result is that tho employers (shipowners and Harbour Board) decided yesterday afternoon to cease all' work on the wharves as from this morning. So, in plain terms, the trade of the port is paralysed for tho time being. Business people will suffer, and so will the publio. Employers' Last Word. Interest yesterday morning centred id tho conference ■ between the employers (Harbour Board and shipowners) and Messrs. P. O. Webb, M.P., Hickey, and T.. Young. After a disoussion on tho proß and cons of the situation, tho delegates of the federation retired, and the employors contiuued in conference, When they rose, tho only information given to tho Press was the resolution that had been passed. This Was as follows: — "That wo adhere to tho terms of the resolution oonveyed to the .Waterside Workers' Union on October 22, by which the late agreement Was terminated, but are prepared to resume work with an assurance that tho existing rates of pay shall continue. In tho event of any die* puto arising as to the conditions of employment, representatives of tho employers are prepared to confer with representatives of the Waterside Workers' Union, with a view to settlement of such." As no result followed, another meeting of the employors was convened during tho afternoon, tho deliberations being influenced to some extent by the events of tho day. Tho decision arrived at finally was to the effect that all work on tho wharyes would cease forthwith until there wore sufficient police to protect workers and enable the work of the port to proceed. The latter proviso was added as tho outcome of a statement made by the chairman of tho Harbour Board to the effect that owing t? tho misbehaviour of a Motion of the crowd concerned in the strike ho could take ho responsibility for anything that might happen, as the means of protection were inadequate. Half a Hundred Polloo. To show the seriousness of the position it should bo stated that thero were on duty on the wharves at 4 p.m. yesterday, between 60 and GO police, uri- ! dor tlio supervision of Superintendent Ellison, Inspector Hendry, and SubInspector Sheehan, all in full uniform. I In justico to tho union executive it can be stated that they did all in their power to discourage violence, but owing to the action of somo of tho men, violent aoenes took place.