THE STRIKE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1164, 28 October 1913, Page 3

THE STRIKE.

NUMEROUS OFFERS FOR SPECIAL CONSTABLES. Wkiaington, Oct. 27. Matters in connection with the strike are quiet to-day. The men met at 8 a.m., and after a long sitting an announcement was made that members of the Union were firm, and the strike would go on. Up to mid-day there was no disturbance of any kind. A meeting of employers was held this morning, but there was no news for the press. The strike committee agreed to allow the luggage of passengers by the Corinthic, which arrived from London this morning, to be removed from the vessel by the crew, but it had pickets out to see that no cargo was landed. A large number of citizens have expressed to the superintendent of the police their willingness to act as special constables, but so far none have been sworn in. Numerous country settlers have also undertaken to act as special constables aud provide their own horses.

AN ACT OF VANDALISM. During the hours of nightsome time after 10 o’clock —some person interfered with a shipment of muriatic acid which was lying on the right tee of the Queen’s wharf. The liquid was in stone jars, and the stopper had been forced loose. The result was that a large quantity of the acid ran on to the wharves, and quickly blackened everything with which it came into contact. The act of vandalism was discovered on Saturday morning, and the damaged shipment was quickly loaded on to a lorry and conveyed to the consignees.

MR MASSEY PROPOSES MEDIATION.

On Saturday the Hou. Mr Massey, Prime Minister and Minister for Labour, communicated with the executives of the Wellington Shipowners’ Federation and the Waterside Workers’ Union, to the effect that he was willing to take part in any conference which may be arranged with the object of drawing up a new agreement between the parties to the present dispute.

FLAXMILLS EXECUTIVE’S MOTION OF SYMPATHY.

At a meeting of’ the Flaxmills Employees’ Union Executive, at Palmerston, on Saturday, a resolution was passed) congratulating the strikers on their solidarity, and offering any assistance in the power of the Union if such should be found necessary. ATTEMPT TO HOLD-UP PROVISIONS. PICKETS DEFY STRIKE COMMITTEE. WiauNGTON, This Afternoon. Some excitement was caused at the Wharf gates this morning when the pickets attempted to prevent provisions consisting of meat, bread, etc., being takeu to ships in port. The taking of such provisions had been sanctioned by the Strike Committee. An altercation ensued and the objectors were told that if they objected to the orders of the. Strike Committee they had better appoint a fresh committee, which statement was received with approval by the holders-up. The provisions were allowed to be taken to the ships.

SPEECH BY THE AUCKLAND WATERSIDE WORKERS president.

The President of the Auckland Waterside Workers addressed the strikers this morning, and said the Auckland executive had a hard job to prevent the Auckland waterside workers from going out on strike. If the strikers would leave the whole matter in the hands of the Federation of Labour executive, the executive would create an industrial fire which would be bard to put out.

The quantity ot cargo coming into port and still awaiting discharge is, of course, fast accumulating, and the position is accentuated by the fact that Wellington is the central transhipping port. Yesterday came the White Star liner Corinlhic, direct from London, with approximately 5000 tons of cargo to put out here. The steamer cannot gain anything by proceeding directly on to other ports for which she brings cargo, as all the Wellington consignments are on top in the holds and to get at the Lyttelton cargo would mean discharging a heavy quantity of Wellington material. Compared with the four previous days yesterday was very quiet. Strikers held another mass meeting at 8 a.m. yesterday, reporters being excluded. Later Mr F. Curtice said it had been decided that the men would stand solidly together. They were determined to go on wiih the-strike. The Government is prepared for any emergency but is keeping quiet. All vessels are taking up an anchorage in the stream. There are plenty of applications for enrolment as special constables. Two sticks of dynamite were yesterday found* by the Harbour Board officials planted at the wall in the bonding warehouse, No fuse was attached. At another spot a pife of wcqd, shavings and other combustible materials was discovered heaped against one of the Harbour Board’s sheds.