MARCHING AT THE QUICKSTEP

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1928, 10 December 1913, Page 6

MARCHING AT THE QUICKSTEP

mm THE NEW FLAG,

UNION'S MUSTER TOPS 2100.

. Quickstep— a smart quickstep, tools tho tempo of tho tune towards which tho Arbitration Union of Watcrsiders is now marching. Last evening tho roll disclosed over 2,100 names; h'Ob' arc men who havo worked on tho wharves as members of the old union during ,tho last six months. The total" membership of tho old union was 1000, so that almost twenty per cent, of its members havo decided that tho strike is "no good to them." On Monday there were 42 strikers amongst tho recruits, and there- were 30 moro yesterday. Practically one-half of the applicants for membership of 'the new union nowadays aro men who havo been on strike.

The labour foremen on the wharves express themselves as very pleased with tho class of workers offering themselves. Amongst those who joined yesterday were some of tho best workers in the old union. "A hundred of them," said olio prominent official yesterday, "arc amongst the very best men wo havo ever had. Tho wharves havo never been so well manned for many a day, and I am confident that wo havo enough labour now to last for years."

Yesterday was not a particularly busy day on the wharves, rain interfering considerably with tho work. That tho men arc nut afraid of work, however, is evidenced by tho number of applications for overtime jobs- in the evening. The engagement ropai was besieged at o p.m. yesterday by men wanting -work for tho evening, and general disappointment, was expressed when the announcement was mado that theve would bo no lato work on account of tho weather.

A number oi tho workers from tho country who havo been engaged on the wharves since tho strike-breaking began are now leaving for their homes, and there is plenty of work waiting for now members. This week five vessels bolonging to the New Zealand Shipping Company will bo working, and these alone will provide work for a large number of men. The working of the coastal vessels also requires many gangs.

Quarter of a Mile of Carts. Y'csterdiy tho wharf was crowded With carts carrying transhipments and town goods to tho coasters. Early in the afternoon the Queen's Wharf was so crowded with vehicles that no moro could bii admitted and .a queuo of waiting drays and lorries was drawn up along Jervois Quay. The line of carts was about a quarter of a mile lons, and must have been a melancholy spectacle • for the "leaders" of labour who viewed it from tho union offices in Queen's Chambers. The collection of vehicles gave tho most decided answer to the agitators' statement that no work is really being done on the wharves. As a matter of fact such a busy scene is seldom witnessed in normal times.

Mr. Long Hands Over the Reins. A certain indication that the Arbitration Union of Watcrsidors is now firmly established, ■ and is in thorough working- order, is afforded by the fact that the secretary (Mr. W. 0. Long) has announced his intention to resign. Tho position of secretary was taken up by Mr. Long shortly after the formation of the union, and he has worked night and day ever since to establish it on a firm basis. Mr. Long, of course, has business interests of his own, and could not be expected to continue permanently in the position of secretary to a labour union. He has, however, given agreat deal of timo and'troublo towards the building up of a body of workers which would take the place of tho striking union. Now that everything is working satisfactorily, and the success of tho Arbitration Union is assured, he is prepared to hand over the arduous duties of the position to another. The amount of work which tho secretary and his assistant have to do in a day is far from light. Not only havo new. members to bo enrolled, but they have to bo lodged and fed. There is no detail too small for the attention of tho union executive, and tho burden of is all falls on tho shoulders of the secretary.

A meeting of the new union will bo held on Friday morning in J shed, when Mr. Long will tender his resignation. Tho meeting will also discuss the pro. posed agreement With the employers*