PROGRESS AT AUCKLAND.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1922, 3 December 1913, Page 8

PROGRESS AT AUCKLAND.

PRACTICALLY NORMAL,

ATTITUDE OF THE BAILWAYMEN.

(By l\:lesrai>Ji.-Pross Association.)

~., . . Auoklanfl, December 2 J he position in Auckland remains unaltered so far as the strike is concerned. Work on the waterfront proceeds as it nothing Jiad happened, and but for tue lact tn.-it there are not sufficient seamen.-or firemen to man tile coastal and intercolonial boats, and that there is _ii shortage in tho ranks of tho more skilled ami experienced carters, conditions would be just tho same as at any ordinary time. There lifts been no suggestion that members of the Seamen's Union in Auckland have yielded in any particular from tho altitude they originally took up with regard to the means employed to open tho waterfront. A great majority of tho waterside workers who wore members of the old union have been similarly firm, but in the ease of the .latter their places have for tho most part been filled. Many waterside workers are therefore, so far as tho labour market is concerned, in tho ranks of tho unemployed.

The .following notice, signed by tlio manager of tho Taupiri Mines, lias been posted in conspicuous places about Muntly:—-"Tho directors have under consideration tlio question of working the company's mine, but until further arrangements for so doing have been completed no additional miners will be employed. Meantime written applications for employment for underground workers will be received by tho manumn:"

On the waterfront to-day the progress oi work was considerably hhxlered bv the rainy weather. During yesterday afternoon and to-day there 'have been a largo .number of applications from members of the old Waterside Workers' Union for work on the wharves. Each applicant for work is required to give particulars of his last employment and the reason why ho left. After three days 'ho is balloted for by the members of the now union. With last night's and to-day's figures the total number t .f applicants is now over 200. An arrival to-day was the barqucntino Ysal-.cl, from Nukualofa, with, a cargo of copra and other Island merchandise. A wireless message from tho Maheno states that the steamer will not reach Auckland till 7 a.m. to-morrow. The attitude of the railway servants in Auckland towards the strike was defined on Saturday evening. A requisition signed by -10 members was made to iho secretary, asking that a special meeting should bo held to discuss the matter. About 70 members vrcro prosent. Propositions were made that a levy should bo struck and voluntary subscriptions collected for contributions f.o the strike fund, but this was rejected by CO votes to 8. A motion expressing sympathy with iho strike was also defeated, only a few members i-ctius; for it, It was deckled that if necessary assistance should bo given to these members of the Amalgamated Society of 'Railway Servants 'n Lyttclton and Timaru win') hayo been rendered idle owing to lack of work on tbo wharves, where they are casually employed.