THE STRIKE

Horowhenua Chronicle, 2 December 1913, Page 3

THE STRIKE

[riSE PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, December 1. The ferry service is nearing its normal condition. It is reported tliar (lie AttorneyGeneral, Hon. A. L. Herifman, contradicts the story that' 300 "specials ' are being despatched to (lie West Coast. Fifteen firemen appeared in the Magistrate's Court this morning lor absenting themselves without leave. They were convicted and sentenced to fourteen days' imprisonment, but to be placed on board the vessel if she sailed before the expiry of the sentence. The vessel sailed at one o'clock with the men on board, but when four miles out was observed to turn round and head back for port. At ;; o'clock she anchored in the stream and a police launch went out and re-arrested the fourteen iirenien. The Iluntly miners have refused to return to work on the terms offered by the employers. THE OPAWA'S FIREMEN. Wellington, This Day. Heavy rain is interfering with the work on the wharves. Fourteen of the Opawa's firemen appeared before the magistrate this morning, charged with combining to disobey the lawful commands of their officers, neglect of duty, and impeding the navigation of the steamer. The accused men, through their counsel, elected to be tried by .jury, and the case was adjourned until this afternoon. The magistrate said that he would grant bail. iELECTItIC TELEGRAM, COPYRIGHT.] []'ER I'IUSSS ASSOCIATION.] Sydney, December 1. The L'nion Co.'s Paloona arrived from liobart with fruit and peas and was discharged by the Company's permanent hands and (he fruit merchants. The Company has definitely decided to despatch a boat to New Zealand on Saturday and will decide later which boat.

The Kakapo, Whakatipu, and Karori have been boycotted by Newcastle coal trimmers, but it is expected that the Company's employees will get the required quantity of coal aboard.

The latest development is the strike lias extended to oversea vessels carrying Xew Zealand cargo. The Whakatane arrived from Montreal, via Melbourne, and the Indrapura from London, both with a part cargo for Xew Zealand. The wharf labourers began unloading the Whakatane, but without giving warning they, ceased. They did not start unloading on the Indrapura. The riimaroa is unable to get a crew and is laid up. The fares were returned. Cargo loaded for Xew Zealand live weeks ago is still in the hold. The big Unionist Conference adjourned till to-morrow. Meeting of the Iron Trades Federation and the Seamen's Union, were postponed pending the decision of the conference. It is understood negotiations are proceeding between representatives of the shipping companies and the conference, the nature of which has not transpired. PARTLY LOADED. Sydney, This Day. The Waipori got part of her loading of coal, 2.200 toils, before the Newcastle trimmers decided to block the Union boats. XOT UNDERSTOOD. The agents of the Whakatane and the Indrapura cannot understand the attitude of the men towards their vessels, which so far have been nowhere near the seat of the trouble. The cargo was loaded by Unionists, and the delay means serious loss to each Company. HUXTLY STRIKERS. [per press association.] Auckland, Dec. 1. A largely attended meeting of the. Huntly Miners' Union was held this morning. The meeting was called to discuss a letter from the directors of the Tnupiri Coal Mines, Ltd., offering the men the option of resuming work on Thursday morning under the terms of the old award.

Several members of the union addressed the meeting, all advising the men to stand solid. The strike, they declared, was a universal one, and they urged the men not to think of resuming work unless the Auckland and "Wellington strikes were settled simultaneously. Questions were asked whether the dismissed sixteen men were to be included m the offer made by the company, and some manifested a disposition to negotiate l with the company in that direction.

A motion was, however, passed to the effect that the men would refuse to resume work on Thursday morning, and also that any negotiations for settlement must be made with the TTmted Federation. of Labour, with which body the union is affiliated. The motion was declared carried. It is understood there was no demand for a secret ballot.