THE OPENING OF WESTPORT.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1937, 20 December 1913, Page 6

THE OPENING OF WESTPORT.

NO OPPOSITION. "V' ,; 1 ' MINERS TIRED OF FEDERATION, <Bj Telcirauli.—lTsfls Association.) Westport, December 19.' Although members of tho Strike Committees had said a great deal about disallowing tlio port to be opened, it ivas found to-day when the port was actually opened that not tho slightest sign of hostility was made. As a matter of fact tiio strikers ivero conspicuous by their absence, tho majority of them evidently realising by this time, if they had not dono it previously, that tlio hostile speeches were really a lingo gaino of bluff. Tho now Waterside Union is a hundred strong, ami it. is understood that it has closed its list for tho timo being. _ Any others desiring to enter tho union must furnish their names, and submit to a ballot, and preference of employment is to bo given in the order of joining tho now union. Notice has been given to tho old wat-ersiders to vacato tho shed in which they have hitherto held their meetings.

Twenty-six police arrived from Wellington to-day, and citizens have been actively enrolling as special constables, but so far there has_ been no occasion for their services. The Government steamer Hinemoa took in bunker coal and also coal for thd lighthouses, and tlio remainder for the Railway Department, all by Arbitration labour and without tho least molestation. Tho vessel is leaving 011 her rounds on the morning's tide. Tho public are waiting to see _ tho next move at tho mines, where, it. is said, there is a very strong undercurrent in favour of coming under tho Arbitration Act, and so ending tho strike. Numerous letters to tho daily press right' from tho ranks of labour, and strongly condemnatory of the Federation of Labour, giro indications of tho trend of sentiment of those cither hitherto willingly or unwillingly allied to that body. Thcro is a growing impression here that if the Federation does not speedily call tho strike off tho miners will tako the initiative themselves. - Tho Government steamer Tutanclcai arrived from Wellington at 1 o'clock this afternoon. Tho vessel sailed from Wellington at 1 p.m. yesterday with a detachment of Tegular polico.