ATTEMPT TO DRAW DUNEDIN.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1894, 31 October 1913, Page 9

ATTEMPT TO DRAW DUNEDIN.

. EFFECT ON LABOUR. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Dunedin, October 30. Lat-o this afternoon • Dunedin was drawn into active participation in tho waterside workers' strike, a telegram being received from the Federation of uabour calling on the Dunedin waterside workers to cease work. A mass meeting of tlio union, however, is called for t-o-day to discuss the position, and a ballot is to be taken lirst. It would not bo surprisingi if tho local union decided to cut away from the federation and register under the Arbitration Act. Oil the other hand, if the ballot decides m favour of the men agreeing to como out, it, is probable that a new union will be formed by u majority, under til© Arbitration Act. Somo of tho workers made no secret of the fact that thoy would prefer, and woro fully prepared, to break away from tho federation and register a new union under the Arbitration Act. _ At a ballot a few weeks ago tho union dosided to remain in tho federation by three votes, the voting being 93 to 00. Inquiries amongst local merchants show that they are carrying Email stocks of sugar. Merchants "do not usually stock up heavy lots of suj*ar, relying on a regular shipment coming from Auckland as required. Tho hold-up of the shipping service has thus quickly brought on a shortage. Advice was received to-day that the Victoria, which left Auckland on Thursday, and is due here on Sunday, is not bringing any cargo for Dunedin, and as a consequence of the laying up of tho West-ra-lia in Auckland no supplies of sugar can come forward in this boat. The scarcity of sugar is not likely to seriously affect the supply for household consumption, but tho largo confectionery and jam-making establishments must shortly feel tho pinch. If supplies continue to .bo cut off tho big foundries in Dunedin are going to suffer. As a result of inability to get) their manufactures through to tho North Island other manufacturing concerns aro also having their outlet for wares cut off. Messrs. Shacklock and Co. will probably liavo t-o knock off 100 men to-morrow night, and Messrs, Methven and Co. about 30. Somo firms, howover, will be able to keep on full staffs, completing orders and storing it as finished. As good stocks of household coal aro stored in merchants' yards, etc., tliero is no fear of any shortngo for this coal for several weeks. Steam coal, however, is not too plentiful. Tho railways have got- an unusually largo quantity stacked in the yards. The gas works aro holding a big quantity.