SEAMEN & THE STRIKE.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1892, 29 October 1913, Page 8

SEAMEN & THE STRIKE.

MARINERS NOT WHOLEHEARTED. What attitude tlio Seamen's Union may take up is still in irubibus, but if authentic news is small, rumour is remarkably busy. First it was said that the seamen were going to como out at noon. That hour camo and wojit, and nothing happened. It was quite evident that a section of the seamen and firemen wero under the impression that something ill that direction was going to happen, and many inquiries were made at the office of their own union. Signs of a Split. During the day a man, who stated that he'' was a financial member of the union, mounted a cart in the Square and made an appeal to the crowd for 25 financial members of tho union to oome forward and help to form and shohl a separate meeting to deal 'with the question of tho strike. From what could be gathered, from the speaker's utterances, the executive had passct! a resolution with which he had disagreed. One by ono men were observed to come forward, and in a little while the speaker gathered his flock togetner and away they went to hold their meeting. Much discussion for and against the seamen coming out ensued amongst a certain section of tho crowd at the close of the above incidents. Puzzling Manifesto. Posted up outsklo tlio Queen's Chambers was the following quaintly-worded manifesto.' It did not appeal; to bo an official statement,but it was the centre of attraction:— "To tho c-rovv of (name of vessel to be filled in) greetings from loyal unionists. It is desirable to draw your attention to tho state of affairs industrially existing, on tho waterfront. Doubtless you aro wanting to know how long it will last and what steps- wo can take to end it, or whether we aro, by our action in continuing it in our capacities on the various isliips, to beat their own ends. The answer to this is 'Too true.' 'Yes.' The question arises, what are our executive and officers doing P Let me tell you, comrades, that it would bo a bad day for unionists if you had to get your executive to advocate a strike aftor an agreement is made. A tip. Useful, if the crews of the ships givo twenty-four hours' notice, all ships aro rendered idle, and thcro is consequently 110 steam to work tho winches, no men to handle the cargo, 110 strike, because you leave because you don't want to continue and 110 victimisation, because members arc too' great in numbers to specialiso in, and thcro is 110 ono agitating for you to strike and render idle tile ships. Attention may bo drawn to the fact that tho company can and do dispense with you at leisure, individually and collectively. If you misbehave they discharge you. If the ship can't work they bundle you out en bloc.. Tho manifesto continues: —"Think what- a service could bo rendered to tlio cause of unionism at this stage by such a noble action. Of courwo they would apply to your secretary to supply newcrews, but 110 has ample excuse to say that ho will use his utmost endeavours to get a new crow, but that tho men won't go. ... Bo - honest and fair to your fellow-workers, and that you will not turn on a steam valve or a shovel of coal, and you shall render them by such attitude hors de combat./ Fellowworkers and unionists, fraternal greetings from us all. . . . Bar any man that while a lock-out is called or cargo handled by free labour. Direct cause of lock-out: Victimisation of over 100 unionists on various steamers." The abovo manifesto is typewritten, and it is ovidently a copy of an original which 110 doubt is being circulated among tho crews of tho different vessels. It is understood that some of tho firemen have already sent in replies to headquarters regarding themanifesto.