GENERAL STRIKE NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1896, 3 November 1913, Page 9

GENERAL STRIKE NOTES.

STRIKERS' FEAR OF RIOT ACT Mr. Bailey, chairman of tho meetings in the Square, appealed to tho strikers yesterday not. to molest tho regular police. They should bo allowed to pass without the calling of opprobrious names, or any other action calculated to cause troublo. The strikers (ho said) must do nothing to give tho authorities tho slightest cause to read the liiot Act. Onco that course was adopted they were gono. Absoluto orderliness was, therefore, essential. In and Round Palnierston. The Foxton watcrsiders ceased work on Saturday afternoon (says our Palnierston correspondent). Tho regular wharf labourers number about twelve, but casuals, who often work at tho llaxmiils, bring tho numbc-r up to fifty. to tho small naturo of tho trade at this port t'hero will bo 110 difficulty in finding men to handle all cargo when needed. 1 Inspector Marsack travelled 100 miles last week in country districts enrolling special constables. The fourteen members of the Royal New Zealand Artillery stationed hero left for Wellington at eleven o'clock on Friday night. Ten members of tho force from Napier were to pass through, 011 Saturday. Sugar continues to be t'no chief article of scarcity, but Hour is more abundant, as tho bakers all received their monthly supply 011 October '25. Bread prices, therefore, remain unchanged. At a meeting of the Palmerston Farmers' Union on Saturday morning tho chairman (Mr. J. Wingatc) said that the employers had been struck in tho face, and it was high time that they retaliated. Mr. 11. Gardner said that it was time that people rose against tho tyranny of unionism. Mr. L. It. Bryant said: "It is anarchy against law and order, Unity is good for defenco purposes, but when agitators aro allowed to override unions, we i must preparo to resist them." Mr. AY. 13. V. Pearco said that if . tho preference clause were abolished from all awards there would bo loss strife. Mr. J. Barbor considered it time to show grit. A motion was carried endorsing tho action of tho Defence Committee m urging tho farmers to supply free labour and special constables. Tho meeting constituted itself a special committee to enrol constables, and this will bo carried out actively on tho show ground this week. Farmers are also offering horses. A further special meeting is to be held this week if ovents necessitate.

Feeling at Hawera. A largely-attended meeting of farmers was held at Hawera on Saturday afternoon, under the auspices of the Farmers' Union, when it was unani- • mou-sly resolved: —"That this meeting of farmers enters a strong protest against the dislocation of trado by tho strike s and pledges itself to do all in its power to assist tho authorities in carrying on tho business of the country." A contingent of 25 men with torsos left on Saturday for Wellington to act as special constables. Others are offering their services. BJueJaohets Ashore. For the first time since H.M.S. Psyche has been in port some of her sailors were granted leave on, Saturday night. Tho men have been compelled, to" remain oil board during the trouble, and it way evident that they enjoyed tlieir run. ashore. Quiet Wharf Scones. Saturday and Sunday were quiet days on tho wharves. Save for the patrols and pickets thoro were hardly any people tliaro. A notice has been orected on tho gates at the Queen's Wharf which roads: "No admittance except on business." This order is strictly enforced by the men at tho gates. . House Guarded by Polled. At about 9.45 p.m. on Saturday word was recoived by tho police that a certain house was in danger of attack. A small squad of constables was at once sent to tho scene, and remained on duty from 10 p.m. on Saturday till G a.m. yesterday. Mission Appeal for Uteratufe. ( Mr. Cocks, of tho Missions to Seamen, writes:—l shall be grateful if you will allow mo to put in a plea oil behalf of tho hundreds of seamen- who form tho crews of tho vessels lying in the harbour. Through no fault of their own they are debarred from coming ashore, and the monotony of tlieir position can- at least bo_ imagined. This monotony can bs 1 relieved by having "something to read." Many of your readers probably have magazines, books, etc. they havo no further uso for. If tliey will send them, or advise me, I will see they are distributed among tho crews, 'then if some generous citizen who owns a motor-boat would place it at my disposal with a driver for a fow hours, I would undertake to personally supervise tho distribution. ( The Missions to Soameii tolephono is No. .1486. "He gives twice who gives quickly." Even if tho strike ends quicker than anticipated we can always dispose of the literature among seafaring men on their voyages.

Wahlno's Firemen. When Captain Stott was asked if the Press iVssociation message from Lyttolton which stated that the Wahino had arrived there from Wellington on Saturday six firemsn short was correct, he replied: "Tho statement is absolutely incorrect. When tho Wahino left hero on Friday evening she had her full complement of men." Other Strike Jottings. An enthusiastic crowd gave a hearty send-off to 40 special constables 8 o'clock lakt night (says ft Press AsSociation telegram from _ Martou). There was a little boo-hooiug by some, but this was drowned by lusty cheers. Mr. Robort Semplo, organiser for tho Federation of Labour, arrived in Wellington from Auckland on Saturday aftornoon, . A largely-attended meeting of dairyfarmers and others was held at Featherston on Friday night to consider tha position in regard to tlio strike. The following resolution was passed:— 'That this meeting of farmers and lousiness people in the Featherston district approves of tho action of tho Farmers Union in relation to the watersidei workers' -strike, and will assist to tho utmost hy supplying men and horses for the protection of free labour, and, if required, will supply labour also." It is expected (sajs our correspondent) that, a numerous body of free labourers will go from tins locality to help loading produce. Tho Featherston Dairy Co. lias already arranged for local storage accommodation for its output of eltceso, whicu it may bo nccessary to hold back. Tim Fleot In the stream. The fleet of idle steamers In tho stream continues to grow. _ Tho steamers Pukaki and Katoa arrived 011 Saturday and dropped anchor _ in the stream. The steamers Waliine, Ma* pourika, and Awahou, which arrived from Lyttelton, Nelson, and Ivenepuni Sound respectively yesterday, also joined the fleet in the stream. At present tho steamers lying idle here owing to the striko represent a total of approximately 70,000 tons, Saturday's Union Meeting. A meeting of the Wellington strikers was held on Saturday morning, which was not open to the press. On being asked if thoro was anytluHE for publioatioa tfoo cliairimm of tho B.tfilsQ

Committee st-ateil that thero wore nbout : 100G members oi' tho union present, i Tho reporta of tho United Fedoration I of Labour wcro received amidst chcers. i 'A similar reception was given to t'lto ' Striko Committee's report. Tho report that Mr. F. Curtice, president of tho i union, nnd Mr. (1. Hrnce, assistant secretary, contemplated resigning was do- ! r.iecl. Mr. AV. T. Young, secretary of ! tho Seamen's Union, was also in attendance, nnd ho fissured tlio watersiders that tliero was no split in t'ho Seamen's Union. Onehunga ivson's Wages toss. It is estimated by competent judges (says a l'ress Association message from Auckland) that Onehunga waterside workers have lost close upon last week in' wages through tlio strike, llow much the shipowners linvo lost cannot bo ascertained immediately. So far us tho men are concerned thoy could not have struck work at a worse tiiuo in the year, for their own interests. Somo weeks tlio men had only tho Northern Company's work to handle, with, perhaps, ono tramp steamer, but not for many months has thero been such a plelliora of shipping at Onehnnp in one week as in this, and all with lull cargoes, consisting of coal, chair, general merchandise. It is known that quito, half the Onehunga Union did not want'to strike. Kaltangata Minors, At Kaitangata {says a Press Association message from Dunedin) there is a determined opinion tiiat tlio men wi.l not "down tools." The mines are working well, and inquiries made elicited tlio fact that there is a strong feeling amongst a section of tho miners apainst the strike. 'The- men wero beginning to realise that it would bo folly to go as far as that, especially if they were liable to n penalty.

Striking Sccno. A rather remarkable scene 'was Witnessed vestorday afternoon. Just as the strikers, about 1000 strong, were marching in procession in iMtssex Square, between St. Mark s Church and tlio Caledonian .Hotel, a body of aboutfifty mounted police were drawn up across tho road (in Sussex Square), near tho Basin Reserve gate, and right ahead could be seen between 300 and 400 mounted special men manoeuvring on tho Alexandra Barracks hill. The spoctaele gave rise to comment, aua was, indeed, a remarkable sight. Men Divided In Now Plymouth. Matters in connection with the strike of Noiv .Plymouth watersidorß remain quiet. After a public meeting yesterday, the union's representatives were given the opportunity of conferring with tho local Employers' Federation, with a view to a settlement, but they did not take it. There is uow v a movement by a number of watersidors to break away from the present union, and form a new one under tho Arbitration Act, and resume work. Plenty of free labour is available if required. Drivers' Resolution. The Canterbury Drivers' Union met on Saturday night, says a Press Association telegram, a,nd decided:—(l) To give tho watersidors all the support possible both morally and financially; (2) to refuso to hantllo any goods loaded or handled by freo labour; and (3) to pay a voluntary levy to bo fixed by tlio executive. Subscriptions given in the room totalled £6 10s. The Square at Night. A.t ten o'clock there wero only two or threo peoplo in Post Office Square, and they appeared to ho pickets. Tho strict watch which had, been kept oil tho wharves and gates by tho strikers siiico Wednesday, October 22, was'conspicuous by its absence. Most of tho men had been called off duty, and no doubt tho majority had gouo to their homes to- gain the necessary strength to begin tho battlo afresh on this morrow.

Rifle Mstchos Abandoned. Tlio defence riflo clubs which hold their Saturday afternoon matches at tho Trentliam range had to abandon their shooting on Saturday last. . The special train which takes the riflemeti out- was cancelled by tho Railway Department. So far as can.' be gathered tho authorities decided that the "hooting should not proceed owing to tlio poss'blo danger attaching to tho appearance in tho city Btreots of civilians carrying service rifles. Tho Qamaru strike. A 'passenger 'who travelled from Oamaru to Lyttelton on Saturday, and wlio arrived hero yesterday morning by the Wahhio, states that tho decision t<? striko in sympathy with the Wellington watersiders was carried by four votes only—32 for, 28 against. «

Unruly Mob. Passengers who left Lyttelton for Wellington by the Wahino oft Saturday night state that the wharf nt the southern port was invaded by ever a thousand strikers and sympathisers, who demonstrated in a mostunruly fashion as preparations wore being made fet the steamer's departure. There were "boos" and cat-c.ills of every description, right to tho tiino tho vessel' cleared tho moles. Our informant states that the first load of luggage: reached tho steamer in safety, but one truck full was left behind on the wharf, as it was deemed advisable to sheer off sooner than is usiial. Some of tlio watorsiders wero very excited, and moro than one nearly fell into the water in shouting execrations against certain of those on board tho Wahino. Coal supply Failing. . It is stated by. tho controlling authorities of the Wellington Woollen Mills that should the strike continuo they will be forced to temporarily discharge most of their employees, as their, present supply of coal necessary for tho running of machinery at the mills will give out by Wednesday nest. . Stoning a train. The men who stoned tho train of "Specials" on tho Manawatu lino on Sunday morning wero badly hoodwinked. The specials got a valuable hint beforehand, and put the cushions of the seats up against tho windows for protection, arid so prevented stones coming into tho carriages..