GENERAL STRIKE NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1897, 4 November 1913, Page 9

GENERAL STRIKE NOTES.

BROKEN AGREEMENTS. "NO SALVATION THAT WAY." MR. H. D. BEDFORD'S VIEWS. (By T<?lcffraph,—Special Correspondent.) , Dunsdin, November 3. 7.7/ , D. Bedford, who is lecturor on political economy at Otago University. A ncl ,r"'u S tlw °PP° non t of tho Hon. J. A. Millar for Duncdin West at the last election, speaking from the- standpoint of an earnest advocate of tho causo of labour, says: "To mo tho strike in its origin, in 'ts conduct, and in tho wild barbaric utterances of its leaders, is nothing short of appalling. There is no salvation along tho lino of broken agreements. Labour cannot expect to bo respected unless its word is its b'oiT3. Its cause is too grand and sacred to bo stained with tho repudiation of solemn undertakings. Tho attainment, of tho great ideal of economic readjustment is only hmdored by that alienation of public cympathy which springs from spurned covenants and flamboyant- defiances of law and incitements to incendiarism and plunder. Tho spirit and methods of Labour are putting back tlio hand of tho clock. I would like hero to impress upon tho attention of the publio that this organisation only represents a section of Labour in Now Zealand, and that : section, I beliovo, a small one. I trust that in its judgment tho will not bo guilty of tho injustice of indiscriminate condemnation of whatevor calls itself by tho namo of Labour." Unsparing Condemnation. After unsparingly, condemning tho syndicalism methods of tho Federation as opposed to tho aims of tho other j section of Labour—to use tho constitutional machinery to attain its end and to wiold tho weapon of tho strike only when every ether resource has failed — Mr. Bedford says: "I wish it to bo clearly understood that in condemning the Wellington strike I am doing so in what I conceive to be tho interests of Labour. I am no unsympathetic outsider ready to curl the contumelious lip at every demand of Labour. My study of economic conditions has convinced me tEat in Now Zealand, as well as in other parts of tho worlsJ, Labour is not adequately remunerated for the services it renders, but tho groat bulk of Jjabour in this Dominion realises that tho way to renovation is the ballot-bos and not chaps. Great changes must como, and in this generation. I earnestly hope tftfcy aro not to bo delayed by tho us© of tho futilo weapons of the French Revolution. I believe that the issue of tlio fearful struggle in Wellington will he finally to discredit tho methods of syndicalism and turn a united body of Labour upon tho hopeful path of legislative activity, along which signal victories nro to bo won without first reducing society to destruction and anarchy. Labour's great ideal is not to destroy wealth, but to get a better shave of it."

Merchant Servico Guild. A special meeting of tho Merchant Service Guild is called for 2.30 this afternoon. Tho secretary, Captain D. J. Watson, announces that the business is urgent and important, and all members who can possibly attend are requested to do 60. Tho Railways. Mr. R. W. M'Villy (Chief Clerk of tho Railways Department) informed a reporter yesterday that tho story telegraphed from Palmorston North abouta barrow being placed on tho raihvayliuo in front of a train was untrue, although it was a fact that tho carriages of a train had been stoned, and windows broken. Tho Department, Mr. M'Villy stated, had no reason to foar any interference with tho railway tracks. Tho ordinary precautions were being taken, and the safotv of tho travelling public was not in any way endangered. Schools Close. \ Mr. G. L. Stewart, secretary of tho Wellington Education Board, announces that the boys', girls', and infants' schools, at Mount Cook, are closed until _ further notice, on account of tho striko. Parents aro requested to keep ihoir children from tho vicinity of tho Barracks or from similar places of danger. Tho Boys.' Institute will also ho closed until the strike is settled. Mr. W. J. Bennett, director of the institute, requests all boys in tho meantime to keep away from tho vicinity of Bucklo Street. Sparks Flying. When the mounted men charged along Arthur Street last night, tho hammer of tho liorsos' hoofs on tlia road caused a continuous shower <i sparks to fly round about. For those looking along Arthur Street, from the Cuba Street ond, it was. to say tho least of it, an unusual sight. Harbour Board Special Meeting. i A special emergency meeting of tho ' Wellington Harbour Board has been ' called for 2.30 p.m. to-day. Th o board ] lias, boon called together for tho pur- ' ■posa of discussing what action will bo i iakesa in regard Is tho strike. >.t !

More Specials To-day. A special train bringing about 180 special constables from Taranaki, Rangitikci, and Manawatu, was expected to arrive hero in the very early hours of this morning. The Sale of Liquor. The Wellington Branch of tlie Social Democratic Party last night passed a resolution urging that 011 account of the present trouble tlie Government should immediately close all publichouses for the sale of intoxicants, and that they be kept closed during the whole period of the disputo. Thercselution also calls on all public bodies and political and religious societies to help to secure tho closing of - the hotels as early as possiblo. A resolution was also carried protesting against tho use of the Mount Cook Infants' School for tho purposo of billeting special constables. Statements Contradicted. During Sunday's meeting at Newtown Park, Mr. C. W, Phillips, manager for Messrs. Veitch and Allan, was roferred to as a special constablo and a "scab." Yesterday morning a deputation of about 40 women waited upon him, and with some display of indignation, asked him if tho .statements were true. sk. Phillips was ablo to assure tho women that they wore not. Mr. P. Curtice, president of tho Wellington Waterside Workers' Union, reiterated what Mr. Phillips had said. Huntly Position. Auckland, November 3. An impression prevailed at Huntly yesterday morning that somo announcement had been made as to tho settlement of tho Huntly strike, but that nothing definite had been arranged in consequence of a telegram from Sir. Masscy intimating that a conference was being held in Wellington in Tegard to tho settlement- of tho strike which is affecting tho whole Domiiiion. MO CARGO OR PASSENGERS FROM AUSTRALIA. (Rec. Noyembor 4, 0.25 a.m.) Sydney, November 3. Tho Moeraki has been withdrawn from tho Australian trade. Tho Union Company will not accept cargo or passengers for Now Zealand till tho strike is over.