ON ITS LAST LEGS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1932, 15 December 1913, Page 6

ON ITS LAST LEGS.

STRIKE BOSSES' CONCLAVE. RESUMES TO-DAY. THE SEAMEN TIRED OF IT. The conference of Federation delegates, which commenced on Friday, continued throughout Saturday and part of josteraay, wlien an adjournment, was made till this morning. Mr. I'. Hickey secretary of the United Federation of Labour, when asked by a reporter of there was anything to communicate to the press, replied in the negative. Considerable reticence is being displayed bv delegates, and one and all state- that their lips aro sealed. It is understood, However, on reliable authority that the question of calling out the seamen and firemen on the Vessels employed on the Australian coast was 'considered at Saturday afternoon's mcetT S " P\, ■ ras state(l yesterday that these negotiations had not borne miit. Despite the fact that delegates will have nothing to say, it was persistently rumoured that the strike; as far as the transport workers aro concerned, will be called off possibly to-day, and probably Wednesday: In addition to what might bo termed the mam conference, Mr. W. T. Youne and members.of tho Wellington branch of the Seamen's Union met tho shipowners in conference on Saturday morning. On inquiries being made, a Dominion reporter was told that this conference . had been adjourned till this morning, and also tliat there was nothing for publication. It is common talk amongst the seamen that if the strike is not settled within the next day or so they will return to work. The majority of the men consider that they have nothing to gain by remaining out, and all to lose. It was further stated that if the Federation does not givo them the desired permission tho Seamen's Union will take independent action and move for a settlement on its own account, and this is what they are apparently doin<' The strange part of tho whole thing is that the Seamen's Union is not affiliated to the federation of Labour, but it is quite evident that tho leaders of the latter body are using their influence to keep the men from returning to work.

Old Watersiders Dissatisfied. Regarding the old Waterside Workers' Union, tho position appears to be becoming more acute. Meetings of various sections of the union have, been 'held, and it is reported that serious discontent exists in tho ranks. On Saturday meetings of the cargo workers' section of the strikers were held, and it is. understood that the deep-sea boats, coal and Harbour Board's men. meet early this morning. Judging by tho speeches which were delivered at His Majesty's Theatre last evening, the close of tho 1913 strike is not far distant. There- was 110 talk of "solidarity," etc., and each speaker told his audience- that when the strike was finished thoy would realise that labour had put up a splendid fight. It appeared as if the speakers irere endeavouring to prepare, their followers for the inevitable decision.