A COLLAPSE IMMINENT.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1904, 12 November 1913, Page 9

A COLLAPSE IMMINENT.

MURMURINGS AGAINST LEADERS. (By Telegraph— Special Correspondent.) Auckland, November 11. - . The striko is expected to collapso of its own weight. Already hundreds of men who came out blindly at tho Federation's call arc anxious to return to work, and.the murmuring against'■ tho leaders has already commonced. It may be expected soon to develop to a roar of anger. Already hundreds of good jobs left on the spur of tho moment have been filled by other men. and tho previous holders will find that tho striko is a double-edged tool. Tho situation may bo summed up in Auckland in a fow words. Tlio strikers were led blindly, They were confident of a great victory, because it had .been all arranged soon after the big Wailti strike, and victory was certain. In owe night the whole of their castles in tho air warn

demolished. They wero outwitted and oiit-gcnernlled, and tlie visions of victory disappeared. To-day the reaction has set in, and the gloom of defeat is on their faces. The end is near. Their great card, the last in tlie pack, a strike of seamen, is no bettor than the strike of traitresses, for there are enough men ■in the ranks of the "specials" alone who havo served as sailors and can take the places of striking seamen to work ' a good coastal service, and there are scares of similar men in the country, • BRICKLAYERS* POSITION. (By Telegraph.—Proas Association.') Auckland, November 11, ' Tho annual conference of tho New Zealand Federated Bricklayers' Union was opened in tho Trades Hall to-day. Mr. M'Mabon, of Wellington, presided. Tho Auckland, Wellington. Canterbury, and Duiiedin. Unions were each repreSi'Mited by two delegates. Tho present strike was discussed, and the following resolution's were carricd: —"That t]io

confidence of Federated Bricklayers' Unions is sympathetic with.the general strike, and is in' accord with all tlm unions l taking part in it." "That all the unions-affiliated to the Now Zealand Federated Bricklayers' Union bo urged to coa.so work on the introduction of special constables and freo labour, and. to remain out until tho dispute is settled." The coufcrcneo will ho continued to-morrow.

A special meeting of the Aucklaml Bricklayers' Industrial Union was held in the Trades Hall this morning, when a resolution carried at a previous meeting, vis!.- —"That the •nwrmbers of the union will not do any work whilo the special constables aro iii the city or free labour is being used"'—was eonfirmed! TAILORS SECRET BALLOT; ,(Bv Telocraiili.™Press A«soetatioti.) Auckland, November U. A special meeting of the Auckland Operative Tailors' Union was held in the Trades Hall this evening, about 150 members being present. A secret ballot was taken on the motion to striko, tho voting being 82 for nnA.ll2 against. Tho meeting decided to Make a- voluntary levy in aid of tho strikers.