THE WATERSIDERS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1095, 10 May 1913, Page 3

THE WATERSIDERS.

SUPPLANTED BY FREE LABOUR.

Timaru, May 8. Both freezing works bad an augmented strength on the killing boards to-day, and work was going on as usual, though the boards are not yet full. Great interest was taken in the result of the refusal ot the watersiders to load meat, etc., into the Zealandic, and their replacement by free labour. About eighty were at work to-day—contingents of farmers’ sons (one farmer has four sons in), sheep buyers, drovers, and threshing mill hands—and work went on not only as well, but with greater speed than when the regular watersiders were at work. The public have no sympathy with the strike, and the larmers are determined to see it through. A public meeting of all interested is proposed for Saturday, to set up a committee to enrol and control ! the free workers. The Union Company’s Pukaki came in to-day to discharge coal. The unionists were prepared to discharge her, but, on the railway truck men, who had* been trucking at the Zealandic, being sent to the wharf, the unionists refused to work with them, and the stationmaster refusing to send other men, the watersiders knocked off. They turned-to again, however, and discharged the coal into the hulk, where the railway men were not needed. Another Union Company’s steamer was due tomorrow with merchandise and to load produce, but, upon it being understood that she would not call, a telegram was sent to the manager at Dunedin, urging that she be sent and free labour given a show to discharge and load her. No reply has been received yet, but it is doubtful whether the • Company will comply, for fear of complications at other ports.