STRIKE NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1891, 28 October 1913, Page 8

STRIKE NOTES.

» . CARGOES AWAITING DISCHARGE. The quantity of cargo coming into port and still awaiting discharge is, of course, fast accumulating, and tho position is accentuated by tho fact that Wellington is the central transhipping port.' Among other boats, tho b.s. Hercules is in the stream with a flill load of'timber, which is wanted rather urgently ashore. Yesterday camo tho Whito Star liner Corinthic, direct from London, with approximately 5000 tons of cargo to put out here. The steamer cannot gain anything by proceeding directly on to other ports for which she brings cargo, as all the Wellington consignments aro on top in tho holds, and to get at the Lyttelton cargo would mean discharging a,heavy quantity of Wellington material. Effect on Potatoes. If the strike continues even for a few days longer the public may expeot a rise in the price of potatoes. One local merchant stated yesterday that practically the wholo of Wellington's supply, of potatoes at this time of the year camo from tho south. There were small quantities of new potatoes coming from the north, but they would not be coming to hand in any quantity for another month. In the meantime, tho market was entirely dependent on southern supplies, and if . they were blofcked by any means there would be a shortage by tho end of the present week. Harbour Board's Position. The. Harbour Board's staff is now engaged solely in patrol work. The chairman of the board (Mr. R. Fletcher) considers that it is of greater importance now to protect property than to work tho steamers, and adds that the staff is only large enough to maintain patrol. Employers' Conference. With a big strike in actual progress in Wellington, the deliberations at the annual conference of tho New Zealand Employers' Federation, to commence hero to-morrow, should produce some remarks of interest. Delegates from all parts of New Zealand will have boEore them a. practical illustration of the effect on the business of a port of a strike such as the one now in progress. : Doincidontally, the New Zealand Industrial Corporation is to hold its annual ; congress on Friday next in Wellington. ■ Horses for Police. ' It is jeported, says our Masterton . jorrespondent, that a number of horses ■ ire being voluntarily railed' to Wellingtoii to-day for the use of the police, and | that men will follow if required.' < Drivers Paid Off. J In consequence of the strike, many sarrying firms cannot find work for ( heir carters to do. It is reported that at 1 east two firms have given a number of 1 nen a week's notice. [ s Onset on Mararoa. ] During the last three or four days i ushes on steamers by the strikers have < icen of a common occcurrence. Yes- j crday was a free day in this respect, 1 ate for the fact that a mild disturb- 1 nee took place at Clyde Quay, where t be Mararoa was berthed. - A fair ! rowd of. strikers made for the steamer ' n question, and after making a small 1 [emonstration in their usual' style, they J cift the ship untouched. t c Patrol Ship. c It is probable that the Government r ei'der Jauie Seddon will be appointod * nd' utilised as the police patrol snip for ® hips in the stream and other matters equiring attention. At a meeting of the Eketahuna e iranch of the Farmers' Union on Sat- 8 irday, a resolution was passed express- c ng satisfaction at the Government's fl ction in taking the necessary steps to 6 irotect "free labour" in the handling if imports and exports. f • ' i: t'