PROGRESS IN AUCKLAND.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1911, 20 November 1913, Page 9

PROGRESS IN AUCKLAND.

MORE MEN RESUMING.. PEACE PROPOSALS FALL THROUGH. A.NEW,SEAMEN'S JDNION. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Auckland, November 19. Arrangements mapped out by the port authorities for relieving the acute congestion of shipping and at tho same time' dealing with important current arrivals are' being consistently fulfilled without hitch or delay, and, with the exception of, the unusual pressuro of traffic operations, are being carried out as though normal conditions existed. To-day there were riq fewer than ten largo steamers occupying tho berths and boiug worked in the wharf accommodation available, and in addition the coastal fteot of scoffs and other small vessels were in full swing. More carti ers were available for carrying on the work of transportation. OVBr 600 Watersldars Working. Just over 600 watorsiders are at work, and . the waterfront presents a scene; of great activity. With tho borthing of the-Tohgariro and the Kaituna on the western side of the King's. Wharf this morning, the re-berthing of the Kurow, to discharge the. remainder of her coal cargo, and the Italian ship Lock Garve, to unload the balance of her cargo of tiles, tho whole of tho available berthage is now fully monopolised. Mr. J. A. Gunsbn, chairman of the Harbour Board, stated to-day that it was utterly impossible for the Harbour Board to consider further berthings at present, and until the Mararaa's arrival on Friday, and the other vessels had discharged thoir cargoes, there would be no openings for tho steamers waiting their turn in the stream. Exhibition Work Up to Dato. Those . responsible for the work connected with tho preparation of the Auckland Exhibition state that there is now no doubt that the opening ceremony will be carried out effectively on Monday weok. The Exhibition builder informed a, reporter this morning that about 300 rrion were working for-tho executive and for the stallholders, while ample facilities were also available for the carting of materials and the exhibits required. "Work in "Wonderland Park" is making good progress with a staff of betweon thirty and forty men. The architect and engineer aro quite confident that tho final touches \"U ho: given ahead of time. Sawmills to Resume. A meeting of the Auckland Sawmillers' Association/which includes the whole of ,the timber mills in the city and suburbs, was held this morning, to consider what attitude. the association would adopt, in viow of the continuance of the strike. It was unanimous- '•;• ly decided to resume work on Friday next, and at tlftj usual hour, 7.30 a.m., the whistles will blow in, all'the mills, and work will be recommenced. '.. According to information supplied to tho president of the Master Carters' AsI sociation (Mr. Fred. Winstone),-there are fully ! 150 vehicles plying on behalf of the associated carters. Of these, about 90 are men who wont out on strike, and have returned to work. 'Pickets have been very active in all parts'of. the city (except Lower Queen Street), in endeavouring ' to' persuade striking carters hot .to return: These methods have been : carried on to the greatest, extent iii the early mornin£; j < v &nd>.ain iiho'> ! ri'ciMty!''bf stables owned'"by",' 'associated 1 carters; With regard to other trades, an increasing tendency to return is' reported 1 . Fur- . nitlire"'and coach workers'to' tho'number' ■of 137-returned.this morning;,the aerated water factories are working actively, hut a limited number of carters are available for-the delivery of .orders. It. is understood,that free labour is not-being employed in'this direction. Peace Negotiations Collapse. It is understood that negotiations for peace which.have been proceeding during the last 24 hours have suddenly collapsed. No particulars are availablo, but it is understood that'certain of .the labour leaders approached, the Mayor and asked him to act 'as mediator, and at the same time suggested what/might form the basis .of a Settlement. Negotiations' had only proceeded as•far as the initial-stage, however, when it is believed that there were developments jvhich resulted in. a complete breakdown and cessation of the overtures -for peace. •■'.-"-.'■ Tho Mayor, when seen. by a "Star" representative this'afternoon, said: — "I-have nothing to say. No settlement, has been'effected. There were negotiations afoot; but they ended quite unsuccessfully this afternoon." . ■ Application to Re-open Hotels. Application was. mado by the Auckland Licensed Victuallers' Association at tho Magistrate's Court this afternoon, beforo Mr. C. C. Kettle, S;M., Mr. E. C. Cutten, S.M., and Mr. F. V. Frazer, S.M., in connection with the hotels. Mr. Kettle said thoy were sitting to consider an application to reopen the hotels. Thoy had received a letter signed by Messrs. W. C. Somers, J. M. Mennie, J. J. Holland, F; King, and L.-'-J. Bagnall (members of the Licensing Committee), stating they considered .tho time had arrived when the hotels might be opened, provided the magistrates and tho '■ Inspector of Police were satisfied. . Mr. Kettle said they would adjourn the case till 9.30 to-morrow morning to hear evidence.' Nov/ Seamen's and Firemen's Union. A new union of seamen and firemen of ships trading in and out of the ports of Auckland and Onehunga has been formed in Auckland, and its registration under. the' Arbitration Act will tako effect'immodiatcly, as the. papers necessary for this purpose wero forwarded to Wellington last night. Tho first meeting of the new body was held yesterday, I when 35 members were present. But: for. tho fact that a number of tho Northern Steamship Company's vessels were at sea tho attendance would have been much larger. The meeting was most-enthusiastic. It was decided that the, name of the new union should bo tho Auckland Seamen's and Firemen's Industrial 'Union of Workers. Various officers were appointed .pro tem. An.- ' other meeting of the union is to bo hold , at an early date, and at this there will be present representatives of the-crews of all the ships which were not in port yesterday. One of' the chief reasons influencing the formation of the new organisation was that there was considerable dissatisfaction at the . recent decision of the- Seamen's Union that all members should give twenty-four hours' notico of their .intention to leave thoir s ships. Members of the new union are strongly of opinion that' arbitration, is tho best method of fettling disputes, and steps are being energetically pursued in the direction of, placing tho mnion in a strong position.