THE STRIKE

Horowhenua Chronicle, 28 November 1913, Page 4

THE STRIKE

[per peess association.] Wellington, November 26. The Miniiro lias completed discharging her cargo of 1040 tons for this port. The Kemuera's 4000 /tons of cargo will finish to-morrow, and the Corinthio with 4200 tons of cargo will be finished shortly. On Saturday the Opawa will have completed her load of 5000 tons of cheese. The Wairuna has discharged 4000 tons of coal. The new union numbers 1480. As the Maunganui was about to sail for Lyttelton the seamen came out. Captains and officers were impressed into the service and it is expected that the boat will get away late. "The coal question does not trouble us at all," remarked one gentleman who is in a position to speak with authority. "We have completed arrangements which will assure us a supply for as long as we want it. It is understood that under arrangement just made 18,000 tons of coal are to be landed in Wellington next month, and 0,000 tons will reach Auckland also next month. Further than this, offers have been received to supply coal when required up till the end of March, and sufficient will be ordered to keep the industries of the country going until at least that date." At the other centres work is proceeding quietly. [PER PIIESS ASSOCIATION.] ELKCTItIC TELEGRAPH —COPYRIGHT. Sydney, November 26. The Union Company propose to dispatch the Maheno to-day with a scratch crew. A meeting of the wharf section of the Clerks' Union resolved that in view of the fact.that with the exception of the AVirtirf L.i 6 Mirers' Union, the unions immediately concerned they were taking no' action in the strike, this union is. of opinion its members should continue to perform the usual duties, but refuse to perform work other than that of a clerical nature. The decision is likely to involve developments. A great upheaval is feared. The Tofua arrived from Fiji with a record cargo of bananas of a perishable nature, .which makes quick clearance necessary. So far no attempt to unload her i has been made. Mr McGowen and Mr Carmichael conferred with the secretary of the Seamen's Union, and imported they had unavailingly used every endeavour to obtain a modification of the attitude of the teamen's Union in declining to man the New Zealand steamers. An interesting development today was the willingness expressed by the Oraina's immigrants to work the Maheno to New Zealand if inquired. An official of the Union Co. asked for volunteers and 30 names were handed in, and the men weie askd to stand ready for n call. The Sun publishes a statement ihat the Union Co. is desirous of shifting the stranded immigrants and proposed they should man the Manuka by free labour, much of which is supplied by tTie immigrants themselves with a sufficient per cent of skilled sea labour. The paper adds that the industrial officers, fearing a great upheaval of tht3 waterside and other transport industries, prevailed upon the Union Company .to stav their hand, while a special appeal was made to the Seamen's Union to treat the rase of the immigrants as specially to work the Manuka fo New Zealand and regard the dispute as unaffected by this concession. The secretary of the declined to agree to the proposal, which, it is understood, the seamen are unwilling to entertain.