A DISORDERLY MEETING.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1931, 13 December 1913, Page 6

A DISORDERLY MEETING.

NEW UNION FORMED AT WEST. POUT. (Br TelegraDli.—Press Association.) Wcotpori, December 12. A crowded public meeting was held in Victoria Theatro to-night to discuss the question of opening tho port. Tho meeting was of a disorderly character, strikers being present in considerablo force and taking part in tho speeches, and strongly dissenting from the Mayor's decision that their amendment to the motion that the port ho opened was lost. The amendment was that tho time is inopportune for a bogus union in view of tho fact that a conferenco is being held at Wellington with a view to effecting a settlement of tho dispute. The motion was declared carried by tho Mayor amidst disorder. The motion congratulated tho men oru forming a jicw Arbitration union and expressed the opinion that such industrial strife as is taking place is unnecessary in a country where ovcryone had equality of vote. -, Many at the meeting did not vote. The meeting broke up in disorder tho' strikers singing tho "Red Flag." Subsequently ,tho strike leaders addressed an open-air meeting, strongly dissenting from the Mayor's decisions on tho voting and stating that though the Arbitration Union had been formed tho nieii and miners would not go back to work. Some 70 applications wero received in connection with the decision to form an Arbitration Union, 37 being members of the old Watcrsiders' Union. FINED FOR ASSAULT. ffly TeleirraDh.—Press Association.) Dunetlill, December 12. At the Police Court this morning Alex. Deans and Frederick Gilland, two strikers, were charged with assault on a free labourer. Tho magistrate, after hearing cridenco, said he would consider tho fact that no great degree of forco had been used, and no actual injury inflicted. Each accused was fined £2 and costs.

THE SPECIAL MEN. Tho following resolution was passed by the Employers', Farmers', and Citizens' Defenco Committee yesterday "That tho liearty thanks of this committee be tendered to those ladies who at much inconvenience and considerable personal cost, attended day hy day for several weeks to provide refreshments for tho special constables while nil duty at the wharves and in tho streets." A suggestion was received by the committee to tho effect tluit spccial certificates of servicc should bo issued to all special constables. It was resolved to approve tho suggestion and to refer it to tho .Govcrnmeutt