AUCKLAND'S CLOSED HOTELS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 621, 22 November 1913, Page 5

AUCKLAND'S CLOSED HOTELS.

RE-OPENING FURTHER DEFERRED. [nv Tt-XKGHAriT. —r»K«:p ASSOCIATION*.] Auckland, Friday. The reasons for the application of the Licensed Victuallers' Association that the hotels should be re-opened at once, were put before Mr C. C. Kettle. S. M., and Mr E. C. Cutten, S.M., yesterday morning, in the presence or a large number of hotelkeeperjg, and others. Mr Cutten said the licensed victual lers had taken exception to the fact that members of the strike Committee had been present at the conference held on Monday last, and he explained that they were there for the purpose of giving evidence on the probable effect of the re-opening of the hotel?, and not as a strike committee. There was very little difference between the present position and the position when the hotels ciosed. The men had been kept under excellent control, but if things went against them they might get completely out of hand. Immediately the magistrates were convinced thaft they would be justified in opening the hotels they would do so. On behalf of the Licensed Victuallers' Association, Mr 0. Nicholson said that he did not intend to call any evidence, but he wished to review the position. When the hotels were first closed 6000 men were, out of work, and feeling was very high, especially against the advent of special constables from the country. So great was the apprehension that tumults or riots were about to happen that the justices were prepared to read the Riot Act at a moment's notice. Nobody could then question the action of the magistrates in closing the hotels for seven days and for that week the position-was undoubtedly acute. At the end of the seven days the magistrates again reveiwed the position and rightly decided to close the public houses for another seven days. During that week, howaver, the position had entirely altered, for the better. The excited public had got used to the presence of the "specials." During that period also many of the men had gone back to work. There was, moreover, a force of 3000 special constables to maintain peace and order, and the hotelkeepers fe'it that the position on Tuesday justified the re-opening of the public houses. In Wellington the j hotels had been closed when trouble occurred, but had been re-opened im- j mediately the crowd resuflied its nor- j ■ mal senses and that, Mr Nicholson j \ contended, was a reasonable manner j j of dealing with the position. ! < After carefully considering the posi- j ; tion their Worships announced that •' they could not at present grant the application of the Licensed Victual- ■ lets' Association. It is undersood that 1 the magistrates wiil again consider i the position on Monday. j ' POSITION AT AUCKLAND. j '

MORE MEN RESUMING. ■TIMBERWORKERS RETURN. Auckland, Friday. There were interesting developments to-day in connection with the general strike, inasmuch aa the timber mills all resumed work. At a meeting of the Auckland Sawmillera' Associa tion, held earlier in the week, it was resolved that the whistles should blow at 7.30 this morning at the IS mills and factories controlled by members of the associaation. This, it was generally understood, meant that a find reminder being given to the men, niter a fortnight's idleness, to resume Work. About 1000 members of the Timberworkers' Union have, during the period mentioned, been on strike, and conaidreable interest centred in the question as to how many men would anwser the whistle this morning. Yesterday a meeting of members of the union was called to conaider the position. Only 174 attended, and although a practically unanimous vote was carried ...gainst returning to work, it was evident that' this vote could not affect the other SOO odd men in the union affected by the strike, That this was so became evident this morning, when all the mills were able to commence operr.« tions with fairly strong staffs. Details as to the actual number of men at work are not yet available, but it is considered that quite half the men

who Went on strike are busy in thi mill? to-day. Pickets were nasy outside all the mills at at! f :ir 1 v hour, bu mounted specials ha:! also been drafter on ij the scene ss (hat there was m j opportunity for anything in the nature of unruly conduct. It is only in the- union? coming within the group known as (he transport workers' section that there, ho far appears- no tendency to weaken. The watersides still claim that less than a do:-;e.n of their number have gone backto vrcrk as member? of the new union: the carters assert; that beyond a botch of ;10, who repented during th.e S'irsl wee!; of the strike, there have been no further secessions. The seamen declare that they stand absolutely solid, and the position of the iramwayaien remains to be defined. Hefore the tram; stopped running they decided by a big majority to cease work when the ''special?" came on thews f.-.-r front. They were forestalled in taking action, however, by the company, which, for lack of coal, ceased running th? cars five hours before the authorities brought the mounted men into the city. CITY "SPECIALS " MORE BEING SWORN IN. Auckland, Friday. A further batch of city specials, probably 300. ia being sworn in to augment the force which has be'en on duty during the past fortnight. The step has been deemed advisable in view of the establishment of a third encampment at King's wharf, and also because the authorities feel that the men already on duty should, in. certain cases, be given more time off. This will provide a force of over 1000 foot specials. THE MOUNTEDS' CAMP. TO REMAIN' AS AT PRESENT. Auckland, Friday. After consideration, the authorities and the officials of the Farriers' Union have decided that the removal of the camp from its present site in the Outer Domain would not be advisable. even though it is considered to be somewhat cramped for a body of 1(100 men. The officers say that ibis is the largest encampment of mounted men yet held in New Zealand. One of the reasons that influenced i the decision to leave the camp as at ! present was the docotrs —there arc ! two or three in camp—have reported i that the health of. the men is all that \ could be desired, and also that the j veterinary surgeons in charge of the j horses have stated that the latter are j faring Well. i Rcinfocrements continue to arri.'e, each in readiness to take the places of any who drop out of the lines on special leave. WELLINGTON HOTELS. CLOSED UNTIL TUESDAY. Wellington, Friday. A deputation of Licensed Victuallers waited upon the Mayor, and asked when the hotels would be re-opened. The deputation pointed out the. great expense involved in keeping the Binti's i at full strength, and offered to put | extra men on to see that; no drunken- j ness occurred, and io refuse to sell I liquor for consumption ol! 'he p r e- ; mises. ' The Waver r-r-.id at present he could ; not alter the method of giving daily notice to shut I'm ho!els. He would consider an application when times i were normal. Meanwhile the hotels j would remain closed until Tnesdnv. I j STRIKERS' DEMONSTRATION. !

BEST FIGHTERS FOREIGNERS. Friday. The strikers hplri a demonstration fit Fefrme last Stress was laid by Mr Savage upon the tact- that the workers enuid only win this by rens".]. An appeal to toi fc mi;:ht haeo its effect hui at the; host it; would bo only < rmparnry. The speaker declared that trade in Aucklat-'d was absolutely paralysed, and would remain so ji-.til the strike was settled. Mr P. Hiekey, secretary or (he Federation of Labour, denied that the bedy wa? a fareipn organisei ion. \]p admitted that some of it? members were for-piCi.'Oi-.7, and derhied that the best on the pid- 1 of the stnkors in Weilineaon wi>re ali foreigners—Germans, Frenchmen, Danes. Scandinavians, ana nelrrians. They were by far the best Hehters and they were to be respected far more than the New Zea landers. APPEAL TO AUSTRALIA. MONEY WANTED FOR FIGHT. Wellington. Friday. The following cable was sent today to the Australian Workers' Union in Sydney : —'• Men solid here. Funds rouuired to lipht ibis, battle. Australian orkers. help us. Shearers here stnviniv in atid pnttino; in finance. Combined squatters and Massoy Government arrainst us.'' a STONE THROWER CHARGED. SIX WEEKS' IMPRISONMENT. COMMITTED FOR RIOTING. Wellington, This Day. Waiter Burton was committed for trial on a charge of takinp; part in the riot in Featberston .street when the mounted specials were stoned. He was also charged with aseauHin,'' E. V, Revan A witneF? said ha saw a te'oeyanh boy throwing stones and correct-.' him. whereupon defendant and others attacked him and knocked him about badly Some held him while Burton punched him. This evidence was corroborated.

e Accused giving evidence himself - ] was asked if ho threw any stones, and t j denied it, but. upon being told he i might be- charged with perjury, he ad--o!in it ted he did, unci got six week's - | i m prison men 1. : J FARMERS' UNION ACTIVE. A CONSTABULARY CORPS. Auckland, This Day. : A meetim: of ppccial comtables held at the Domain Camp pnuned a roFolution to form a I-Vrmrre' Union conßtatuilp-ry corps. wist) hrnncbeft in the various districts-, re that when their peri vces are nrm-rr.ry tbey can !he called together r' :! moment'fl 1 notice. The c.orpr- ir to he organit'-ed and under the control of the New Zea- | land Farmer?,' Union. j POSITION IN WELLINGTON. VESSELS RAPIDLY LOADING. PICKETS AND SPECIALS. FEDERATION EMISSARIES FOR AUSTRALIA. Wellington, This Day. So many vessel? are now working that only I,'i are left in the stream, and three of there w<to laid up before the strike. Others come in to-day, and only one ove;pea \-( r:-c! will then j he a' anchor. | Mr Donovan, president of the Sen--1 men'n Union denier (hat Mr Belcher | was ß wanted tortay and control the j affair? of the union here. He asserts I that: Mr Rlooher vras told if he wanted j to do anything he fjp.d better return to j Dunedin, j It is ptaied by a Strike < 'ororrntt.ee official thrt so mo t-pocialr rre to he j prosecuted for interfering v.-it It pnaceI ful pickets. Vc.'iccfui picketing in I alleged to be quite iogri. ! Mepprs? Pnrry end Starr have pono I to Australia r? cmj>t*arie--of the. Fede- | ration, of Labour to pec that no more I ho si t s nrc- r-cnt over hrrc. S Y M P A T J J E TIC R ESOLUTION RESCIND lOD. Napier, This Day. The Driver' Union last night. passed a resolution rcncinding the decision not to handle cargo worked by the new | arbitrationirfc unions. j QUIET AT DUNEDIN. i MOERAKI STILL HELD UP. 1 i ! Dunedin, This Day. Matters are quiet. The Moeraki ir still held Up for want of a crow to work the loading. POSITION AT CHRISTCHIJRCH. ACTIVITY OF PICKETS. COUNTRY SPECIAL ATTACKED. Christehurcb, This Day. The Dorset worked two hatcheß and later decided to work a third. There were not enough permanent railway hand?, so three ea?ual railwayman were called on. Af they were proceeding to. the wharf they were intercepted by ritrike picketr .Mid toid there wonki iie 'rouble 'they worki d the cargo- The men explained the position on arrival at (be wharf, and it was decided no! to be wo? lb while risking a disturbance so the caeunlg were not employed. Two del en re v. s-.ggiw carting stores were held up for a rbort while, but event nliy not clear. A special who br.d i idden in from Aphi urfon was attacked by three men and badly boat en end kicked. Other art*: ei violence occurred. Three Ri.-n have been arrested in connect ion i herew it h. WORK AT WELLINGTON. '.'Oil ARRITRATIONISTS BUSY. Wellington, This Day. Over :>OO arbitrat ionipta are workin;: at the wharves? thip morning, but the supple of labour is* not enough for all the work offering. Employment could have been found for another hundred men. Many worker:' continue to earn pood money. The strikers met thip morning, and between ."»>() and -tuO attended the funeral of the laic Mr Luurenson M.P. LATEST FROM AUCKLAND. WORK ON THE WHARVES. EVERYTHING QUIET. Auckland, This Day. Strike matter:- are very quiet at, the waterside and in town. Work at the wharves is being prosecuted briskly. U iti expected the Mamma will pan'! for Vancouver to night The Wanakr leave- for .southern norfc on Mommy, the crew consisting of masters , otiiceia and others than regular penmen. it, is estimated the total of men working at ;hc varioun occupations affected by the. airiko ip M4O.