KEEPING THE KING'S PEACE.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1902, 10 November 1913, Page 9

KEEPING THE KING'S PEACE.

BOLT FROM THE BLUE. AUCKLAND WHARVES CAPTURED. BY AUTHORITIES. ißy Teleffreph—Frees Association.'. Auckland, November 8. Aucklanders walked citywards thi3 morning quito unconscious of the fact that, during tho early hours, tho initial steps in a strike-breaking policy had beon consummated, and that tho authorities, with the assistance of tlio uniformed police and mounted and- foot specials, llacl regained possession of tho wharvos without tho slightest disturbance. The entire plan of campaign had been matured so quietly, that there was no leakage of information, and no possibility of any hitch arising. A thousand foot specials were accommodated over-night at the Drill Hall with a few uniformed polico on tho premises as a precautionary measure, and tho men wero vaguely informed of a possible development at an early hour. The mounted specials, camped on the Domain Grounds, wore similarly prepared. Thus it was that the whole forco of specials wore marched down to the waterfront just on 5 a.m., and.took up strategic points right along tho extensive harbour lino. The Cordon Drawn, Whon called upon for action, the foot specials turned out with wonderful alertness and enthusiasm, and wero swinging down Queen Street within fourteen minutes of recoiving tho summons. The three hundred men who were first called upon for duty were headed by twenty mounted police and twenty uniformed polico, marching two and four abreast respectively, and, included in the procession, which was a third of a mile in length, were more mounted police, as well as .artillery wagons loaded with, provisions for feeding tho men while on duty on the wharf. - Simultaneously five hundred mounted specials had left the Domain, and came down at a canter, the two' forces meeting at the foot of Queen Street. A handful of strike pickets, who had been on night duty, were, the only other persons in the vicinity, and, when they realised what wa3 happening, they very quickly vanished. Without fuss or. confusion, the various detachments took up positions which had been previously allotted to them, entirely shutting out all acccss to tho wharves. Mounted men were placed at both endsi of Quay Street and tho Quay Street entrance to tho railway-station, across Queen Street as far as tho Post Office, and at the top ends of Little Queen Street and Albert Street. Every detachment of

mounted specials had a vanguard of mounted police, and no person was allowed through the lines without producing his authority. The King's Wharf and Hobson Wharf wore, however, left open for ferry , traffic. Lumpers' Batons Found. From 7 o'clock onwards large crowds began to assemble, but were kept strictly outside the lines, and were confined in dense groups beyond the outposts in Queon Street and along Customs Street. j The Harbour Board employees engaged onwharves reconstruction, and the reclamation works, immediately ceased work, according to previous resolution, and marched up Queen Street in a body, cheering and hooting. The carters, when apprised of developments, acted similarly, and, in time, a. large number of'thbdis g'athortJd 1 rduii'd'to; r watch developments." The foot specials were soon at work erecting substantial barricades across Queen Street Wharf, with, massive wooden piles. This was' carried out under the supervision of the Harbour Board's engineering staff,. directed by tho foreman of works. The Strikers Cather. No timo was lost either in making preparations for boarding specials and Arbitrationists (when they came along to work the ships) in tho top story of F' Shod, where comfortable bedding is to bo provided, and in fixing up cooking: arrangements, consisting of a big oven and many pots and boilers. Meals will be served in the shed, and to men on guard duty according to opportunity. An adequate supply of provisions has been carted on to the Queon Street Wharf, and stored. During the forenoon crowds of strikers and sympathisers gathered round the various outposts, particularly on the western side of Queen Street, and set up an attack of irritating and objectionable language and menacing threats. At ono stago an,encounter was threatened, and reserve patrols were marshalled at the point, affected, .but the incident ended without actual disturbance. A striker made a bold attempt to . rush through tho lines at tho. western end of Quay Street. He was instantly seized by two mounted specials, and, after a brief strugglo, flung back amongst tho crowd.

Simultaneously with the arrival of the police arrangements were mado for tho disposal of tho ferry sorvices,and the shipping in port. The running of the ferry steamers was maintained as usual except that the boats wore' diverted to the Hobson Wharf and tho King's Wharf. Details of the organisation iave been so carefully planned, that while access to these wharves can bo gained without interruption, cargo .handling operations may be proceeded with under adequate protection. At the Queen's Wharf Nos. 2 and 3 jetties and the Northern Company's wharf, H.M.S. Pyramus, which had been berthed at No.-2 F Queen's Wharf, shifted to the west side of No. 2 jetty, presumably to leave room for the berthing' of some of the big Home cargo steamers at present anchored in the stream. Soon af-

ter 7 o'clock yesterday tho first movement in shipping was noticed when eight vessels of the Northern Company's fleet, the. Paoroa, Orewa, Kanicri, Clansman, Ngatiawa, Chelmsford, Apanui; and Tasman, came down to the jetties from the anchorage up harbour. Thoshin's crews commenced the work of discharge without delay, and tho operations went on without tho interruption that marked the proceedings when the pickets held sway. Waterslders' Rooms Entered. Immediately after tho police had been posted at points allocated on the waterfront the rooms on the first floor of Gladstone Buildings, occupied as offices of the Auckland Waterside Workers' Union, and moro recently as a waterfront centro for tho Strike Committco organisation, were entered der a search warrant by Senior-Ser-geant Rutledge, Sergeant O'Grady, and nine constables. The doors were opened by the caretaker, and a thorough search was at- once instituted. Somo

fearsome-looking were secured hidden in a fireplace, behind doors, and, in a large cupboard. Included in tho haul were a number of improvised batons (some heavily loaded with nails and lead), several hundred yards of wire, a mixture of cayenne pepper and sand, largo pieces of broken concrete, a hig catapult, and an assortment of other gear useful as missiles in case of a fight. The rooms are within the area under surveillance, and after tho hooty had been removcd tlio doors were locked again. Later in tho day a further search was made, and tho polieo report indicates that in a chimney of the room abovo the union office a bag containing lewt. of popper was found, together with a quantity of iron piping cut into lengths.

developments was supplied to a "Star" representative by Messrs. Humphries and Bloodworth, of the Strike Committee. "A general strike has been culled, and wo are moro than pleased with tho response. Tho carpenters, bricklayers, carters, general labourers, Harbour Board employees, and cooks and waitors aro all out, and _ other unions havo placed themselves in oiir hands and will cease work when the word is given. Amongst the latter aro tho gasworks employees. We are at present granting exemption to the bread cartcrs, parcel delivery carts, and carts engaged in tho collection of refuse. Tho position now is that the executive of each union handles its own affairs and one central executivo has been appointed consisting cf a dolegato from each of tho unions on strike."

With regard to tlio report that batons, peppor, stones, wires, and other articles were found in tho waterside office, Messrs. Humphreys and Bloodworth declared that when the Strike Committee lefi the office of tho union on Friday night there was nothing of the kind in the room. A whisper, they say, had reached the committee that, tho rooms woro to bo raided, and books, papers, and everything of a confidential nature were removed. Tho Strike Committeo know absolutely nothing of tho existence of anything of tho kind, for it has been ono of the strictest injunctions to members of the union tliat no man_ is to join in any street quarrel, to participate in any riot or to use force of any kind unless in defence of his life.

Hostile Crowds Cather. From early Saturday morning ■ the only point at which there ever seemed any likelihood of serious trouble was at. the junction of Little Queen Street and Customs Street. Here, a hostile crowd gathered, and at noon had grown so largo that tho people were closely packed right across to tho Government Buildings. Some stump speeches wero delivered, and frequently cheers for Labour, and hoots for "specials" were lust-' ily given: Ten mounted uniformed policemen guarded the entrance to Little Queen Street, and a little further tack woro two lines of mounted "specials." Tho'police handled the big crowd, very carefully, and on one or two occasions woro able to quell little disturbances that began to look serious. One daring individual rushed rigit through the first line of defence, b"{ a mounted man wheeled his horse shutpIv, and hurried tho wandering one hack into tho crowd. Most of the business premises within the area of tho outposts have been closed, but all must .suffer a considerable loss of business. Permission was given to a limited number of officials to visit tho rooms of the waterside offices, and Remove what property was wanted. Ceneral cessation of Work. In accordance with the resolutions practically to the samo effect which bad been adopted by tho trades unions oi Auckland during tho past week, there was a general cessation of work, yestorday morning, as soon as it became known that special constables were' gudrding the wharves to enable a start to be made with the work of the,port. In every instance tlio resolutions 'expressed sympathy with the cause of tho men then on strike, and in several cases they' further expressed tho intention of the unionists concerned to cease work immediately.

' Special constables appeared on the waterfront, presumably to guard the ii'iorosts of the labourers who wero not members of the Watersido "Workers' Union. The unions may be regarded as falling into two groups. The most important from the point of ciow of tho general public being those who decided to take direct action when the timo _ arrived. Experience yesterday morning showed that not only did ail .the unions which announced their .intention df striking carry out their' intention, but.some others which had not officially gone so far in an expressed determination 'to stop, work also fell into lino with tho strikers. Hie bakers and the butchers have decided to refuso to handle food which is intended for consumption by special constables, or men who nro regarded as free labourers. So far no complication has arisen in this connection. The men who deliver bread come under .-tho jurisdiction of tho Drivers' Union, but by special permit they havo been allowed to continue to carry out their duties. "Our quarrel _ is not with the general public," said! tlie . secretary of tho union, "and nothing will bo done which will harass them if wo can avoid it. Tho men in charge of tho Tofuse carts aiul other public utilities of that sort will not bo called upon to take any part in tho strike." It is understood that tlio

same will apply to the drivers of'grocers' and butchers' carts who come under the Grocers' and Butchers' Awards respectively. The Hotels Closed. ■ "Being satisfied that riots or tumults may tako placo in tho City of Auckland wo do order that every perso/i licensed to sell spirituous liquors and keeping any house m the city shall forthwith close his houso until ten o'clock on November 11." This notico, signed by Messrs. Cutten and Kettle, S.Al.'s, was served on every hotelkeeper since closing timo on Friday. On Saturday morning thoro was not a bar open in the

city. The booths at the Ellorslie races were also closed. The position in connection with the hotels was complicated by the fact that tho Employees' Union had served notice on tho employers demanding one day off in seven, and also that no free labourer or special constable was to be.served. The hotelkeepers met, and decided that the matter of the holiday being now before Parliament it was beyond their jurisdiction. It was decided that it was lmpossiblo to comply with the request regarding free labour and special constables, as it would render the hotelkeepers liable to bo fined and to hare their licenses endorsed. The union ultimatum threatened that work would be stopped at noon on Monday if the demands were not conceded. The hotelkeepers decided to apply to -the Licensing Committee for permission to close their hotels under tho L'Act in order to protect their licenses. In tho meantime tho Magis-

trates' Jiotico was served, on tho licensees. Matters were precipitated on Saturday morning when, all, t'he employees were called out; practically all responded to the' call—those employed at the restaurants as well. An Exciting Incident. Au oxciting incident in which the mounted police opportunely interceded occurred: in Customs and Gore Streets yesterday morning, and a carter who has refused to come out with his fellow workers went very close to receiving a rough mauling at the hands of a • large mob. Ho was espied driving a lorry and two

horses along Customs Street, and a Into and cry was immediately set up. A large and threatening inob rallied with surprising rapidity, and tho horses were immediately seized. Ono of tho animals was unharnessed and chased along the street, but the carter drove the remaining horse through tho crowd into Gore Street, and into a yard at the roar of Messrs. Jstgger and Harvey's store. Tho mob rushed pellmcll'through Hie right-of-way, and a second later a dozen or moro mounted police galloped up. Hooting and vile language and threats came from the crowd, and a stono was thrown. The lorry was unloaded, and when more police arrived the driver was escorted out of the yard and along tho road. "Scab" was vigorously yelled out from all sides, and there was a volley of hooting, and the usual cp'tliets, but the driver wont on his way, lifting his hat and flourishing it in acknowledgment of tho attentions to which ho was subjcctcd. Tho polico kept tho crowd from following by lining Customs Street, and they came iu for a share of hooting.

What the Mayor Thinks. Tho Mayor, Mr. C. J. Parr, in com-, menting on Saturday's developments, said that the position which had been taken up last week on the wharves could no longer bis tolerated, The whslo lousiness of tho port had been hung up for practically twelve days. Forco llad been employed to prevent cargo coming into town from outside place's, The shipping companies had not even been allowed to work their vessels with their own labour. The wharves belonged to tho public, and it was intolerable that any section of the community should take complete control, as had been tTio caso since the strike commenced. Law and order had to bo maintained at all costs. No- good unionists or citizens should object to tlie authorities taking tlio necessary action far the protection of tho city, and tho business people should give every assistance possible to attain this end. He invited all lawabiding citizens to assist tlio authorities ill maintaining order. The first thing to do was to restore the control of the wharves to tho authorities, and this had been achieved without fear or favour. The City's Guard. The Mayor added that adequate provision was being made for the protection of the city while the trouble lasted. i Some 700 special constables will camp at the Drill Hall, and at two other places in tho centre of the city. Jn addition, 400 "specials" will camp in one of the big sheds on the Queen Street Wharf from liow on -until the strike ends. Five hundred special mounted men will likewise bo on duty day and night within call of Queen Street and the waterfront. Ko_ crowds will be allowed to assemble in the streets, a.iio street gatherings will be henceforth barred. "It will be evident, therefore, added the Mayor, "that any sign i;f hoodlumism will he put down vrfCh a strong hand." position at Onehunga. When the Onehunga waterside workers decided to "down tools," quite half their number did so after being unemployed for a week. Several of the nwii decided to see if something could not be done to resume work, and they met tho Onehunga Borough Council, to talk tho matter over. The meeting was held in the Borough Chambers, and all present were unanimously in favour of going back to work at once, provided adequate protection could be guaranteed. As a result of tho conference, a deputation dccided to form a small committee) and after ascertaining how inany others will join them, to ask tlio shipping companies for work. ■ It is stated that so far some 24 men are ready to work. Man With Explosives Arrested. ■ Just after half-past nine on Friday Detective Quartermain arrested a man named William Thomas Doyle, aged 23 years, as tlie latter Was leaving his "house at Eden Terrace. A search of the arrosted man's pockets revealed that lie carried on him sis gelignite cartridges fused, and prepared for action, and Doylo was held on a charge that ho carried explosives, with intent to commit a crime. It is stated that _ the charge is sup-ported by a sensational statemont made by the accused as to what tho cartridges were intended for. When Doyle came before tho Police Court in tho morning he was represented by Mr. J. It. Luiukin.

Chicf-Detective M'Mahon asked fpr a , remand for a week, and when bail was ipentioncd, Ohiei'Detoetive M'Mahon ■ stated that h© Would require very substantial bail, a.s an admission had been obtained from accused, stating the rea : ton for which he haa tho explosive. Mr. Frascr, S.M., fixed bail at one, surety of £500 or two of £250 oacli, and ibmai'ked that this sort of phwgo was a particularly grave one,: and ho was suro that everybody inclttdingthe .strikers themselves, would deplore any damage or harm dotio by irresponsible persons. It is not suggested that Doylo in connected with the waterside 'workers. He is a labourer, who was previously known to tho polico in connee-

•lion with cases of throwing stones, to tLo damage of property at Napier. It is understood that a recent talk by himconcerning gelignite was fe-sponsiblo for t'lo attention he received from Detective Quartermain. Mass Meeting In th® Domain. A mass meeting of unions was held at the Domain to-day. Thousands of men gathered at the Grey Statue, and, headed by a band, marched through tho ■ city to the Domain. All was qiniet in the city last night- and to-day.