POSITION AT WESTPORT.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1929, 11 December 1913, Page 8

POSITION AT WESTPORT.

PLUGS OF GELIGNITE FOUND. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Westport, December 10. In reply to their request that the U.S.S. Company should rim a cargo steamer from Dimodin, via. way ports, to Westport, the Westport Chamber ot' Commerce waa advised that if a reasonable quantity of cargo was offering the company were willing to load .a steamer on the East Coast for Westport, provided a return cargo of coal is gnar-' teed for Wellington. The company also require a guarantee that labour to" their manager's satisfaction be found for the general cargo and coal, and ask for suitable protection to the ship unci those employed on licr. The Chamber of Commerce met to-day and passed a resolution to again 6 ask the company to send a steamer to Westport, guaranteeing a minimum freight of GUI) tons, hut declining to guarantee a return cargo. It was also decided to ask the Mayor to call a public meeting to consider tho matter of opening "tho port, and the formation of an Arbitration Union at the waterside. The feeling of irritation over the strike is .becoming very marked in tho town, and also in the coalmining districts, and it is evident that some very decisive efforts to open tho port will, shortly be made. Seven plugs of gelignite, with a cap and fuse attached, were discovered this morning in the Railway Department's crane on the merchandise, wharf, and' tho matter has been placed in the hands of tho polico for inquiry. Two members of the Westport Strike Committee left overland to-day, ou route for Wellington, to attend a conference of the I executive.