BREAKING A STRIKE.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1899, 6 November 1913, Page 9

BREAKING A STRIKE.

USE OF FREE LABOUR. WHAT "WAS DONE AT TIMAIUJ. A few months ago a strike of waterside workers at Timaru was broken, and at this juncture, points out the "Now Zealand Herald," it is interesting to recall tho methods then employed by the shipping firms. Tho Watersiders' Union at that time was practically ill charge of men who were very strong supporters of tho Federation of Labour, and ,tho union was allied with tho Federation. Ono day tho watersiders struck, and tho cause of their irritation was so trivial that the indignant shipping firms and merchants decided to make an attempt to work the port by freo labour.

Tho merchants and shippers formed a central committee, and advertised freely for labourers.' The response was overwhelming. Practically in. a few hours a sufficient number of business men, clerks, storemen, farmers, and bona-fide labourers handed ill their names to enable working gangs 'to be formed, and theso were immediately sot to work 011 tho four holds of a big steamer then lying at the wharves awaiting a cargo of frozen meat. Tlio men quickly learned tho routine of the work, and the shipping firms declared that tlio boat was loaded in quicker time than could have been accomplished by the ordinary watersiders. Moanwhilo -.the strikers to the number of two or three hundred showed an ugly temper. They congregated 011 the waterfront, but barricades were erected 011 tho shore ends of the wharves, police wero stationed beside them, and 110 0110 was permitted on to the wharves without a permit from tho Harbour Board. 111 this way the free labourers worked without interference. The strikers, for a day or two, waited outside the barricades', and made the usual remarks to the men coming off shift—but a fow peremptory warnings from the police quickly put a stop to all offensive combat. V -

Finding that proper protection was forthcoming, labourers came forward in larger numbers, and gradually replaced tho business men and farmers at tho waterfront. Ships worked the port without interruption. Then the free labourers got together, and formed another watorsiders' union, which they at once registered under tho Arbitration Act.

Tho strikers were thoroughly, and from the Timaru point of view, satisfactorily beaten. , They appealed to the Federation for help, but the Federation declined to lend assistance. Other unions refused. sympathy strikes, the police would allow no interference at

tho waterfront, and at last they called the strike off. Soon after that they were among those who were anxiously seeking to becomo members of tho new union. This, is tho explanation of tho statement which has been telegraphed from Timaru to tho cffect that the watersiders there —who were formerly enthusiastic supporters of tho Federation of Labour —now decline to declare a sympathy etriko.