THE OLD & THE NEW.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1650, 6 January 1914, Page 7

THE OLD & THE NEW.

EX-STRIKERS AND ARBITRATIONS.

TROUBLE ON THE WHARF.

X Shed, which during tho strike was converted into a largo dormitory for tho use of tho original Arbitration wharf labourers, was used yesterday as a place for engaging wharf labour, and with tho mixture of ex-striken; anil original Arbitrationists a gocd deal of rowdyism prevailed for a while. Tho trouble started shortly after 8 a.m., when some hundreds of men, including many cx-sta-ikers, 'had assembled; in the hall. A good deal of heckling was indulged in when the men were, being selected. Afterwards, aa too much labour was available, a largo number of hands were Jeft, the majority of them being men who had come back to work when the-strike was called off. They attempted to make it uncomfortable for members of tho AVatcrside Workers , Union who had resumed during the strike, and also for the new hands, and thero was considerable uproar aa attempts at speech-making were made. Ouo man who was insulted struck an opponent- and received a somewhat severe handling, his main injury being a cut over tho eye. No action was taken, as the injured man could not identify his opponent. Two men complained that they had been debarred from entering the Nvaiting-roora by cxstrikors.

Collectively, tho men were warned by on© of * tho Harbour Board's wharfingers that should such unseemly conduct occur again tho room would bo closed and they would have to wait outside on the Quay. This action would result in tho wharf hands being engaged on the wharves as was the caso during the currency of the strike. TO PUT DOWN VIOLENCE. OX THE WHARVES. Tho members of tho original Arbitration Wharf Labourers' Union havo since the strike was declared off been subjected to a good deal of.abuso from- the exstrikers, and in consequence of this tho executivo of tho Arbitration Union of Wharf Labourers is taking steps to put down intimida.tion on the wharves and the ships. Several complaints of objectiouablo tactics have been made, but the difficulty lies in tho direction of obtaining sufficient .evidence to detect and punish the offenders.. Mr. J. L. Radcliffo, vice-president of the union, told a reporter yesterday that an attempt wus' boing made to check all violence. Ono Arbitrationist had been struck on tho head with a lump of coal, which had fallen off a bucket, and the man had been knocked unconscious. Tho matter was now being inquired into. In another case a man had been heard to use intimidating language, and he had been dismissed from work on tho spot. Mr. Radcliffo further, stated that the union officials intend to deal with these matters very firmly, and on Thursday afternoon the union's delegates are to meet tho shipowners to discuss what action shfu! bo takeii. ■ . Mr. Radcliffo gavo a denial to a report, that any discrimination was being made in the signing on of the men. Members of tho executive, he stated, wore visiting all tho ships in port, to see that the men at work were bona-fido members of the union or had their permit-cards. Something liko fifty ex-strikers joined thjO mp.w-.jUnion yesterday ,iu.o,rmng, j -. 1 -, -,;,-,-,