TELEGRAMS

Horowhenua Chronicle, 25 October 1913, Page 3

TELEGRAMS

r.l'Kll I'IIESS ASSOCIATION.] THE WATEIISIDE STMKE. NO AGREEMENT YET. Wellington, This Day. The AVaterside Workers' Union met again this morning. After nearly two hours' deliberation they unanimously decided not to resume work on the conditions laid down by the employers; consequently the ships will remain tied up, no work going on. STEAMERS CEASE RUNNING AVauganui, This Day. A local shipping firm received a telegram this morning from AVellington, stating that the shipowners had decided to stop running all cargo vessels until sufficient police protection is available. The crew of the Arapawa, which arrived this morning, has been paid off. The steamer is to be laid up. THE WATERSIDE TROUBLE About 11 o'clock to-day a crowd ol strikers rushed the barrier which was being erected on the railway wharf to keep, the strikers oil the wharf. They used heavy beam timber as battering rams, and completely demolished the structure, wiiicii was built of stout timber, afterwards throwing the debris into the harbour. The crowd then rushed s.s. J\Tbnowai, but the gangway was let down, in time. They then went to the steamer liaiapoi, but the coal hulk was being towed away at the time, and operations had ceased on the vessel. Subsequently the crowd proceeded to the steamer Dorset, where the 'captain permitted six men to boarft the vessel and search for Jree labour. None was found. Just after the meeting at which it was decided not to resume work under the conditions laid down, the strikers learned that cargo was being worked on coastal steamers. Defended by members of the vessel's crew, a demand that sailors should knock oil' was made by the strikers,who swarmed all over the ship. The invaders were driven back, but kept alongside the steamer until her hatches were closed. The crowd broke through the cordon at the entrance to Queen's wharf and rushed round to where the Nikau from Nelson was also being worked by her crew. Mr Munro, wharfinger appeared on the scene and asked the men if they would go off the wharf if the work was stopped on the Nikau. The- promise was given and work suspended accordingly oil condition that that no damage was done to the Board's property. The strikers were then allowed access to the wharves. During last night some person or oexsons unloosened the stoppers of several bottles on the wharf ■died containing sulphuric acid, and the liquid ran over the wharf, and great difl'iculfy was experienced in dealing wkh n this morning.