AUCKLAND ACTIVITIES.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1905, 13 November 1913, Page 9

AUCKLAND ACTIVITIES.

BREAKING THE STRIKE.

COASTAL SERVICES RESUME. EMPLOYERS WELL SATISFIED. I WORKERS RETURNING. (By Telegraph.—Pres3 Association.) Auckland, November 12. With tho restoration of shipping and transportation activities thero was a particularly busy sccno on tho wharves aud along tho approaches to-day. Arrangements havo been made that will enable tho coastal steamers to resume running at once, and as a. result there was a continuous stream of traffic to and from tho eastern jetties where tho vessels are berthed. In most cases tho transportation work is being carried out without escorts, although in some instances special constables either accompany the lorry loads as passengers or a few follow on horseback. Tho total absence of any signs of hostility or indications of possible'molestation has enabled tho • authorities to dispense with heavy escorts. In fact' the general conditions to-day in tho vicinity of tho waterfront and of the lines of guards are as peaceful and quiet as at any ordinary time, and do not suggest tho existence of a strike. Carting is proceeding quite without 'interruption, and similarly handling of the cargo is in full swing with plenty of labour supplied by members of the new Arbitration Union. Tho discharging of cargo from the Monowai and the copra from tho ketch Kerora was finished to-day, and the Ennerdale, with a shipment of produce from tho south, took up tho berth occupied by tho Monowai, which has shifted to the head of the Queen's Whatf. A heavy shipment of machinery on tho Mimiro was unloaded late this afternoon, and the vessel will probably loavo to-night. The Westralia's cargo will not bo discharged till to-morrow. Tho Wanaka, with general produce from the south, is being unloaded at No. 4 jetty. Tho Northorn Company havo_ a large number of their fleet at tho jetties with loading operations in progress, several being duo to leavo to-night.

At lunch time to-day over 400 wharf workers filed on to tho steamer JIOIIO- - at the end of the Queen's Wharf, and partook of a hearty meal served in the dining saloon. The Monowai is being used as a "camp ship" by members of the new union.

The Employers Satisfied. Inquiry to-day elicited the information that everything is working satisfactorily at the wharf from tho employers' point of view. The number of members now in the Waterside Workers' Union registered under the Arbitration Act is 450. Over 700 more wero offered from one district alone, added to which more could bp got if required from various other portions of the Auckland district. The secretary of tho now union (Mr. S. Richards) informed a reported that tho ships' olEcers were exceedingly well satisfied with the work of arbitrationists. It is understood that about 40 per cent, of the 450 workers represent farmers who have come in to lend aid for tho time being, and that the remainder intend continuing permanently. Mr. Rickards staffs that ho could got another hundred or two on the spot to-morrow morning. It is intended in the meantime to "keep all the men wotking full time if possiblo.

"Specials" as Sailors. : . Although on practically every, ono of I the twenty Northerly Company's steamers at Auckland, individual members of the crew wore paid off on the expiration of thei_r twonty-four hours' notice, the Ngapum is now tho only vessel on which the necessary complement lias not been mado up. In the meantime, however, a number of foot, special constables have signed on as ordinary seamen, .with the intention of taking a holiday trip to t.ho north. In some cases also the regular hands have asked to be reinstated, and wherever possiblo this has been done. So far as can bo gathered, neither the Union Company nor the Huddort-Pnrker Company have taken stops in tho direction of securing crews for their vessels at present in the stream. It is stated that tho men are offering, and that when things readjust themselves, no difficulty will bo found in manning the vessels.