OLD HANDS BLACKBALLED,

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1925, 6 December 1913, Page 7

OLD HANDS BLACKBALLED,

BY NEW WHARF WORKERS. BALLOT AT AUCKLAND. POSITION AT HUNTLY. (By Tclosrapli.-Precs Association.) Auckland, December u. There were some interesting proceedings at a meeting of the members,of the now 'Waterside Workers' Union held last evening, when preparations were uuulo for a ballot. Some explanations were made regarding tho attitudo of tile union towards tho five young farmers who were refused admission on Tuesday night. It .was agreed that they should go to tho ballot again. A total of 49 members of tho original waterside workers' union were balloted for. Eleven others had applied, but their references were not thought suitable. In addition, about fifty outside applications were received. On a ballot being taken it was found that the. live farmers had been elected and fifty outside applicants, but in every case the 49 members of tho old union were "blackballed." A number of other applicants gave in their names this morning. It is expected that they will be balloted i'or along with the others some days hence, as there is a rule that three days must elapse before a ballot is taken. There are still numbers of the old waterside workers whose applications have not been dealt with. It is stated that the union is now 10C0 strong.

Coal Arrives from Nswcastlc. This morning tho steamer JCwanto Maru arrived from Newcastle with 5000 tons of coal aboard. Tho arrival of coal from Newcastle is of interest in that tho waterside workers at Newcastlo refused to load any coal known to bo destined for New Zealand. At Newcastle .the Kwanto Maru was announced as a projected departure for Java, so that it seems likely that the men who loaded her were not aware that the plans had been altered, and that slio was to sail for Auckland. The Kwanto Jfaru is manned by a Japanese crew, who presumably are not interested in tho Australasian industrial trouble. Ever sinco there appeared to be a possibility of local and Australian coal supplies being completely cut off, it has been rumoured that arrangements would be made by tho shipping companies to secure coal from Japan. 'It is understood that preparations are now; being made to dispatch colliers from New Zealand for a Japaneso port. It is understood that tho first steamer from Japan with coal for Auckland will ai> rive (luring the lirst week of January.

fdaheno Making Good Frcgrsss. This morning a 'wireless message was received by the Union Company from Captain M'Loan, of the Maheno, stating that good progress was being made, and later in the day a telegram camc from Capo Brett, which said that the, Maheno passed north' at 3.30 a.m.! The latter message shows that tho Maheno is doing a iot better than was anticipated, an average of 12 knots being maintained from the harbour to Capo Brett. The Maheno should reach Sydney about Tuesday next. Another message received by the Union Company is from the Atua, en route from Auckland to Sydney by way of the Islands. Captain Wallis stated that the crew were doing splendid work. Positicn at Hur.tly. A largely-attended meeting of members of tho lluntly Miners' Union was held yesterday. Tho principal speaker was ilr. P. 11. Hickey, secretary of tho Federation of Labour, who congratulated the men on the firm stand they were making, and said that all hands were standing steady. The miners and seamen, ho sail, held the key to tho position, and they would fight on. The speaker expressed himself in favour of the settlement of the trouble by arbitration, and suggested that Sir Joshua Williams was the man to whom tho whole matter should bo referred.

It is evident from the preparations now being nwk that it is intended to work tho Taupiri Company's mines at an early date. Notices were to-day posted in conspicuous places, notifying trespassers that they will bo prosecuted. At the Extended Mino a strong barb-wi ro fence is in course of erection. At the Ralph's Mine also iron and wire fences are being rrected.