GENERAL STRIKE JOTTINGS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1916, 26 November 1913, Page 9

GENERAL STRIKE JOTTINGS.

. ORATORS IN THE STREET. ONE MAN SEES DEFEAT AHEAD. At tlio junction of Epuni Street and Aro Street last evening a thill handful of peflple were addressed on- tlio usual lines by strike orators, 'l'lio first speaker, a Mr. Koberts, proved himself tr>, bo a master at tho art of, vituperation, and during his allotod span on tlio soap-box managed to abuso everybody and everything incidental to tho striko that elid not meet with liis entiro approbation. Another speaker, Mr. Tom King;, treasurer of the Waterside Workors' Union, struck a decidedly pessimistic note. After traversing the history of tho striko, ho said that tho strikers might win, but ho did not,.know lioiv they lvero RoiiiK to do so. Ho did not. believe in ~tho general, strike, and uovci*'had d0u0.... If..thfe..workers won they would loso afterwards, while, > if they did not win they would loso all ] tho same and get beaten to boot. Ho was not a Socialist. Ho believed in Arbitration, but not in tho Arbitration Court. Warohips' Movements. IT.M.S. Pyramui, which arrived at Wellington from Auckland on Monday morning, left for Lyttelton at 7.10 p.m. yesterday. It is understood that sho will remain at- tho southern port for several days. H.M.S. Psyche, which left Wellington for Lyttelton on Sunday afternoon, will return here between 8 and 9 o'clock this morning. The Psycho left Lyttelton, at 5.10 p.m. yesterday. Music, Song, and Story. Every evening thero is entertainment for tho mounted specials at the big Drill Hall in Buckle Street; thanks to tho' energy of Mr. Fred. Townsend, who' has been deputed to sco that tho spo'pial men have no dull times. They havo'had many concerts, picture shows, card tournaments, and vocal and elocutionary competitions, and everyone consulted admits that they aro having "tho time of their lives." Tho strength of the' mounted men is being gradually reduced as the need for their services diminishes, but there are still over 500 men in camp, fow of whom desire to immediately return to their homes beyond tho hills. Inoitor Gaoled. | A Press Association message from Cliristchurch states that John Bates was gaoled for a month yesterday for disorderly conduct. Ho incited the crowd to attack tho police during tho demonstration. Tlie noy newspaper runners were on striko yesterday. Much Ado About Nothing.

A I'rcss Association mcssago from Ohristclrurch goes so far as to state that a riot was nearly precipitated in tlio city before noon by tho parade of a score of "specials," who mounted guij,rd in Gloucester Street.. Tlioy wero given a meal in a. refreshment room, and marched out past the -Socialist Hall where the carters wero gathered. The movement was interpreted by the strikers as provocative. Tho prompt appearance of .Mr. Howard and other loaders prevented trouble. The, crowd ceased following, and contented itself with a fow hoots. - Tho leaders afterwords addressed tho strikers, urging restraint, stating they must disregard an attempt to create an excuse lor theappearance of armed "specials." Cheers wero accorded tho regular police. Civil Servants Sworn. Under instructions from Wellington, nearly all the Christehnrch Civil Servants have been sworn in as "specials." Badges and batons were, distributed. Tlio public buildings were patrolled hist night. Wool-Crowars Hessntful. Thoro appears to be a feeling amongst | some of the country people that "while j everybody olso have been doing their best" to assist to relievo the paralysis brought oil tlio port- of Wellington bv the strike, a scction of tho members ot tho Wellington Harbour Board liavo at different critical stages failed to rise to tlie occasion. Seme of the farmers who ship tlieir own wool and who h-? 1 '" been in the habit of sending it to WelIi 11 <'to 11 are resentful of the attitude oi the board's representatives, and are i-iid to have made up their minds now t„ ship through Napier, which suits them iiraetieall.v as we'd as Wellington. Some wool is stated to have been diverted ibis way already. No Crand Opara Season for Auckland. -\ i'rcss Association cablcgiaiu received'from Svdnev last owning slates tliat ■is the result of the strike Mr. Qmnlait iias decided to extend Ins grand opera season in Sydney, and abandon the visit to Auckland. Oainaru Strike Pay. The lirsL allocation of strike pay lo Ihe Oil ma 111 ivatersiders look place on Mond.iv, tlie men receiving tl each. Onlv about twenty- participated, the remainder Inning means. A inrther payment will be made next week.