AUCKLAND POSITION.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1893, 30 October 1913, Page 9

AUCKLAND POSITION.

THE TORCH ALIGHT. MR. GUNSON ON QUENCHINC IT. (By IWorraph.—Special OorTcaronflMitl Auckland, October 29. Work on the wharves generally is at a standstill, though the Northern Company's permanent hands are doing what work is"nccessary with the small coasters. Pickets arc everywhere, but, beyond keeping a watchful cyo .on things, they have not interfered to any great extent. Exception was taken to ono man who started on tlio Northern Company's Waimarie this morning, and, in order to prevent any trouble, the officials told him to go nshoro. He. was not a member of tho Waterside Workers' Union. Tho principal interest centres round tho Union Company's Island steamer Tofua, which arrived at Auckland at 4 a.m. to-day, from bydncy, by way of tho Islands. A large quantity of fruit was brought by the vessel, and it was realised that, if tho shipments were allowed to remain m IwWs, « « result would be tho loss of tho wlioo consignment. It was decided to ask tl e crew to unload tho cargo. The racket* Wt !iv this time, been considerably it rrn'frtinned. A meeting of the seamen S held, and after a brief discussion, fhev decided lint to do the work. Tho Toftia is scheduled to sail next week on the return passage to Sydney, via tho Viands, but at present it is understood tint she has not sufficient coal in her bunkers to make the voyage. If necessary. however, her present supply toO tons) would take her to Jsrweastle. Hie seamen on the Kichnrdson s earner Squall, and 011 the A\estnort Coal Company's steamer Canop.is, hayo intimated that,, they are not prepared to handle Ciire Tho Trouble at the Tofua. "At I p.m. to-day an attempt was mado bv a number of Union Company permanent employees to discharge fruit' from Nq. 3 of. 5.&., lofua.^

A Inrgo crowd of waterside workers and other intorested pooplo yathorod on the wharf. Ono of the Auckland Harbour Hoard electric cranos was utilised, and. a sling was loaded with ten cases of bananas. As soon as the sling touched the cargo truck it was rushed by tho strikers. Hundreds of people gathered round, and one of the watersiders took tho opportunity of mounting the heap of cases in order to address those in the vicinity. The permanent workers attempted to wheel the truck through thu crowd, and, in the course of an nitercation which followed, some blows passed between a striker and a worker. At this stago Superintendent Mitchell arrived, and, quickly making his way through the press, talked very seriously to the strikers who had held up the truck. It was eventually decided that, in the meantime, at all events, it would be better to put the bananas back on t-ho ship, and, amid cheers from tha strikers, the cases were taken on board.

Arrival of H.M.S. Pyramus. A good deal of. significance attaches to the fact that H.M.S. Pyramus, which sailed from Auckland last nighw'rir Napier and Wellington, returned to port this morning. Sho lay in the stream for a time, and, shortly before ten a.m., was brought alongside tho Queen's Wharf, right up into tho corner berth, with her nose against Queen Street. Quite a lot of interest was taken by a largo congregation of strikers, and others in tho berthing of tho warship. The Pyramus has upwards of 300 men on board. Soon after the vessel was tied up barricades were erected, in order to keep her berth clear. Onshunga Men at WorU. The position at Onehunga is interesting, inasmuch as the watersiders thero have refused point blank to cease work. Yesterday afternoon delegates from the Auckland union went out, and endeavoured to persuade tho men to ceaso work. The Onohunga men, however, refused to have anything to do with tho visitors, and, when one man used language not parliamentary ho was informed that ho ran a very risk of being tipped'over tho wharf. Ilia men hold a meeting last night, and again discussed tho position at 7.30 this morning. Tho result was a unanimous tie, cision to go to work as usual. At noon to-day, when tho men knocked off' for lunch, they. found • four delegates. from tho Auckland Union waiting to address them, I'or an liour tho visitors argued with the men, but their arguments wero to 110 purpose, and this afternoon tho men are alf working. Notice has been posted that, at 5 o'clock, Mr. Robert Somplo and other speakers will address tlieni on the wharf.

Theatrical Companlas Held Up. . Tho present strike will touch the life of tlio community in unexpected places. It was ]>ointed out to a "Star" reporter this morning by Mr. Bert Boyle, manager for J. 0. Williamson and Co., tliat a persistence of striko conditions will bo a serious matter for the big ilieatri- ■ cal firms and for liis firm in particular, J. C. Williamson and Co. have at present no fewer than three companies touring New Zealand. Geiiceiis at- Wellington, and is scheduled to leave for Christchuroh on November 2. "Iho Quaker Girl" is at Dunedin with sceiiory for only one piece, tho rest of tho scenery being in Wellington aud tho Julius Knight Company,* now at Auckland, is booked for Sydney on November 10. If these three companies are stuclc up in New Zealand it will mean (Sir. Koylo says) a loss of £$00 a day tor J. C. Williamson. The Genee season in Wellington could possibly bo extended for a few night's, and tho opera company in Dunedin would probably liavo to resort to putting on tlio remaining pieces in their repertoiro with only one set of scenory supplemented by whatever supply is.obtajnablo locally. By that means tho full extent of tho loss stated might bo averted, but naturally, tho box office receipts could not bo expected under tho circumstances to make the showing usually commanded by tlio Williamson companies.

Frea Labour Prospects. Inquiries were mndo as to the; possibility of free labour being available should the necessity ariso and, from various sources, it ivas learned that tho prospects were in favour of an ample supply being forthcoming. "Yes,'we can get plenty of free labour;" confidently declared 0110 business man, "and there will be adequate protection for those who como to our aid." Definite details wero not given. Tho executive of the Employers' Association has met and considered what action should bo taken in the strike, but no information is available beyond the official intimation that nothing will bo done till the developments reach a inoro acute stage.

' Harbour Chairman's Views. 1 Tho c/hairman. of tho Auckland Harbour. Board (Mr. Gunson) _ when seen to-day by a representative of the "Star," 6nid that thoro is no doubt that, in tho - extreme sections of tho Labour interests (especially those prac'tically responsible for. the control of tho union and Federation business) thero is a general disposition-to completely disorganise not only tho inter-, csts witli which they are directly affected, but also tho wider interests of tho country's trade. Undoubtedly, tho position is acute, and wo may anticipate a general strike amongst all sections. It is not for ono moment to bo supposed that the great bulk of. the community will, long ;tolerate such, conditions. No ono section, relatively _ email, can dominato'tlie country's interest's as't'hc Federation of Labour, and the Waterside Workers' Union are endeavouring to do. The position to-day has naturally brought about a ' considerable dislocation of trade and, sooner than this s'hould continue, tho employers and others interested -generally should take a, stand, and close down until some satisfactory arrangement has been arrived at whoroby all parties will resume work. My own opinion is that tho Employers' Association should at once call together not only its own members, but all em: ploycrs of labour (including those in tho country) as it is quite time that wo stood up againsj> tlio attitude of tho section primarily responsible for the position to-day. Upon analysis it will be found that .the extreme section is but a small handful, and that the •rreat body of workers tiro sane and reasonable. That being tho ease, tho sano element must finally assert itself. The sooner that position is reached, and the agitator is a thing of the past, tho better it will be for all concerned In any ease, whether the settlement is mado at earlv date or is long delayed, only ono result can follow. Hint is that tho men, with their wives and families, must also suffer tho penalties which they will inflict upon others. That is a far more serious result from a 'striico than" any other disabilities which may temporarily be inflicted on trade or capital.