BOLSTERING "THE CAUSE."

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1914, 24 November 1913, Page 6

BOLSTERING "THE CAUSE."

A STRIKE LEADER'S VIEWS. (By Tcle6'rat>li.--P)ress Association.) Auckland, November 23, Stories- of the strike being; broken, said Mr. Bloodworth yesterday oil behalf of the Central Strike Committee, do not affect the attitude that has been taken up by the unionists. That a number of men had gone buck did not affect tilts actual strike. Tlio men had registered their resentment against the attitude that had been taken up by the Employers' Federation and tlw Government. Those who were good unionists were still on strike, and wore likely to remain so. They were men' who counted most in the unions, and they were almost invariably the best; tradesmen. The strike would' not be broken until the special constables were withdrawn from th® watorfwntj nor would business be normal until it was ■ ' able to bo carried on under normal, con-. Iditions. Tlie vital unions in the iiiovoIment wore as strong as ever, Negotiations were proceeding both ill Auckland and in Wellington (though, very slowly in Auckland) towards effecting a settle jmsat. Tlw {strike Powmittefi Jv.as in

[daily communication with Wellington, anil was assured that tho '.strike thero | was as strong as ever so far as wh.lt might bo termed the vital unions were coiicomcil. Delegates Ir.wl boon sent to Australia and: another to tho southern towns to explain tho position, and fjttai.icial aiid othor assistance was assured. A strong factor that had yet to bo reckoned' with was tho seamen, who had given an- indication of tho lengths to which they were prepared to go ill conliectioni with the stnke. Aa to tho reported nutnborg of employees afho wore stated' to havo resumed work, Mr. litloodworth explained that these included apprentices and numbers of others n4o wore in no Way under tho ! control of tho -unions.