THE STRIKE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1167, 4 November 1913, Page 2

THE STRIKE.

POSITION AT AUCKLAND. NO SETTLEMENT. MEN ARRIVE FROM INLAND. Auckland, Sunday. A settlement of the watersiders’ strike is apparently as far off as ever.

The wharves have been quiet to day and the tneu have held meetings. The Mayor has been endeavouring to arrange for the sjttlement of the trouble, but up to 5 o’clock tonight no word had been received ot any success.

Telegrams from all over the province indicate that the farmers to a man are anxious to assist in combating the strike.

Five hundred mounted men from the country a r e expected to camp near the city early in the week, and later a thousand more will probably arrive. The men perfected their picketing organisation so that all the wharves are idle and shipping is practically at a standstill. No attempt will be made to work the vessels in port by free labour until the police force has been strengthened sufficiently to ensure adequate protection.

AUCKLAND SEAMEN

There would seem to be a disposition among the Auckland seamen to keep clear of the strike movement.

A verv strongly worded resolution from members of the executive of the Auckland Union hr.s beeu seut to Mr W. T. Young, warning him against any action that would involve other brauches of their Australian kinsmen who are also in toe Federated Seamen’s Union.

The Lyttelton watersiders held a meeting on Sunday and 'decided to remain firm.

The North Canterbury Farmers’ Union has issued a manifesto to the Waterside Wotkers at Lyttelton pointing out the hardship the strike will inflict on small farmers if continued and trust that wiser counsels will prevail and that work will be resumed as heretofore, leaving any questions at issue to be settled by arbitration, or other conciliatory method. Failing this the farmers of North Canterbury may be compelled, however much they regret it, to lake such action as may be deemed necessary to ensure that the work of loading aud unloading produce shall proceed.

AT TIMARU

MEN REFUSE TO GO OUT.

Timaru, Sunday,

Between So aud 90 watersiders were at work to-day ou the Wauaka, Waitemata aud Breeze. Before turning to at 8 the then assembling for engagement were addressed by some of the few Federationists left here aud were urged uot to go to work. They took uo notice of the appeal. One or two showed resentment at the interference. The general feeling is decidedly adverse to a strike. WESTPORT QUIET. Westport, Sunday. Everything is quiet at Westport. Not a boat, apart from the Harbour Board flotilla, being in the port. A mass meeting was held at Deunistou yesterday. It was resolved to make common cause with Wellington and Huutly, and remain on strike until they had gained a victory. The Seddonville State mine is idle through there being no outlet for the coal. All the bins and available trucks are full. IN TARANAKI. At a crowded meeting at New Plymouth it was decided to ask volunteers to work the local or any other port and to act as special constables. An enthusiastic crowd gave a hearty send off at Martou to 40 special coustables who proceeded to Wellington. A contingent of 25 men and horses left Hawera for Wellington ou Sunday. Others are offering their services. One hundred aud fifty men entrained Irom Napier ou Saturday aud numerous other applicants had to be refused. Twenty meu left Dauuevlrke for Wellington. A second contingent of nearly 200 mounted special constables was despatched Irom Wairarapa to Wellington on Saturday, and further contingents are preparing to go. FREE LABOUR AT NEW PLYMOUTH. New Plymouth, Nov. 3. The local watersiders held a meeting on the wharf this morning. After one and a-half hours’ discussion, it was resolved to adjourn until 9 a.m, on Wednes day, when they will definitely settle what stand they will take, aud consider the question of working inward Taranaki supplies only, if the strike is not then settled. If it is settled, work will be immediately resumed. Wheu this decision was announced, the crew of the Moa at once commenced to unload 130 tons of cement. At one o’clock a start will be made with free labour to discharge 400 tons of coal from the Kittawa from Newcastle. Ample free labour is available, aud steps are being taken by a section of the watersiders to secede and form a new union under the Arbitration Act,

AT AUCKLAND

HOPES OF A SETTLEMENT,

Auckland, Nov. 3

The Mayor states that as a result of negotiations lasting till midnight he is more hopeful of a peaceful settlement ot the industrial trouble. There is only one point of difference which one side considers a sine qua non. The Mayor is of opinion that the point is not, from the public point of view, of any extreme importance. If the point is settled he believes a fair and honourable settlement will be secured all round, and work will be resumed at Huutly and Auckland. While striving for that object, he is not anxious for a peace at any price. If negotiations fail, in a day or two there will be an organisation in Auckland which will make resistance to law and consituted authority impossible of success.

ONE THOUSAND MEN ENROLLED AT HAMILTON.

Hamilton, Nov. 3

Successful and enthusiastic meetings were held throughout the Waikato on Saturday in connection with the volunteer organising campaign. Over a thousand m?u were enrolled and these were ordered to mobilise at Hamilton to day, aud proceed to Auckland by special train this afternoon. Special arrangements are being made for provisioning the men.

MOB ASSAILS THE POLICE

Wellington, Yesterday,

The most serious conflict which has yet occurred since the beginning of the strike look place last evening at the intersection of Taranaki Street with Buckle Street aud Arthur Street, when a crowd of some 2000, including several hundred strikers attacked a force of mounted police, most of 1 them specials. The trouble began, at about 7.15 p.m. At that hour the ordinary guard was stationed at the intersection of Buckle Street aud outside the guard some hundreds of persons had gathered in a crowd stretching across the street. A good deal of abusive language was used by members of the crowd, and it was deemed advisable to clear the street. A small detachment of regular police was entrusted with this duty, aud they had not beeu long at work before stones thrown by individuals iu the crowd came flying amongst the officers aud others who were gathered in Buckle Street. One man was struck on the knee and another somewhere else. A hose was played upon the crowd, and as this did not suffice to disperse them a number of mounted men were seut out. They were ordered not to use either batons or revolvers, but to disperse the crowd by forcing their horses through its ranks. Before this was done, Mr Cullen stated, the discharge of stones aud other missiles bad become a fusillade. Iron bolts ware included amongst the missiles. Oue bolt whizzed by Colonel Knox’s head as he was standing beside the Commissioner of Police. REVOLVER SHOTS COMMENCE. Some revolvers were fired by members of the crowd before the mounted police went out to disperse them. The shots came from under the verandahs at either side of Taranaki street. It was impossible to distinguish the men who fired from under the shelter, ■ but the flashes could be seen and the reports heard. Several men informed Mr Cullen that they heard bullets whizz by. There was absolutely no firing, the Commissioner stated emphatically, by the police or special constables. Before the mounted men went out he instructed them personally not to strike either with their fists or batons, but to use their horses in clearing the street. This, he added, was done. Naturally, during the firing, the men moved their horses briskly, bat they made no attempt to return the fire. CLEAR STREET NECESSARy —ANU WHY. The whole affair lasted for ten or fifteen minutes. At the end of that time the street proper was clear. The footpaths were still occupied, but no attempt was made to clear them. The object of the crowd iu gathering belore the camp, Mr Cullen stated, was to use abusive' language to its occupants. This has beeu made a practice of by an undesirable element of the population ever since the camp opened. On one occasion a few days ago the presence of a dense group enabled someone iu it to rip up the tyre of a motor-car (used by the police) with a kuife. It Is considered absolutely necessary to keep the street adjacent to the camp clear, aud it is intended to do so, Sergeant-Major Thompson was struck by a stone early in the melee, and is now suffering from a slight concussion of the brain..

THE CASUALTIES. Those known to have beeu injured during the riot last night are Sergt.-Major Thompson, Defence Department, hit by a missile, serious injury to head. Arthur Dockery, machinist, . bullet wound right collarbone, shock and loss of blood. George Duncan, small boy. bullet wound in sole of foot. LAST NIGHT’S DOINGS. The Royal Tiger Hotel, in Taranaki Street, wa,s raided

the strikers last night and all the windows smashed. The raid by the mob was on account of meals being served to specials. The police dispersed the mob. McFarland’s bakery in the same vicinity was also attacked for supplying bread to the police and specials. The windows were broken.

Wellington, This Afternoon. The conference between the employers’ and strikers’ delegates will meet this afternoon. The outlook for a settlement is bright. Everything is quiet. The wounded are all doing well.

The Railway servants are not in sympathy with the strike and a close watch is being maintained on all lines, and the public need have no fears as to the safety of travelling. Nothing definite has been arranged at Huntly in consequence of telegrams from Mr Massey intimating the holding of a conference in Wellington regarding the settlement of the strike.

WHAT HAPPENED IN PALMERSTON.

Rumours circulated in Palmerston North on Saturday afternoon to the effect that two Federation leaders were going to speak in the Square in the evening, and that they were going to receive a hearty reception in the form of a “joy ride,” and dip in the fish pond, were responsible for about 1000 persons gathering at Coleman Place at 8 p.m. Messrs Semple, Parry and Co. were, however, miles away. At about 9.15 p.m. two Labour supporters commenced to speak in turn, but the crowd being out more fcr excitement than anything else, the would-be orators only succeeded in getting out a few disconnected statements about unionism and “I am not authorised to speak for the unionists of the Manawatu,” said oue of the speakers, “our leaders should do that. They should have been here to night to speak to you, but they are not here.” The men were subjected to considerable heckling, but greater diversity was afforded when three men, wearing the Federation colours, called for three cheers for the Federation, and gave vent to sundry epithets. The crowd at once surged round them. Cries of “to the fish pond,” followed by those of “Police” from the individuals wearing the “red,” were sufficient to induce the assemblage to sweep towards the fountain in the reserve adjacent. The fence, however, and interference by the “man iu blue,” prevented the crowd doing anything of the nature suggested. The three men who caused the trouble took advantage of the lull and sought shelter inside the Clarendon Hotel. The crowd waited about putside for nearly an hour, but eventually dispersed, and the town was quiet at 11.30.

A somewhat amusing diversion was caused in Main Street on Saturday night when a little soapbox oratory was indulged in in front ot Mr G. H. Stiles’ premises. One young fellow mounted the box, and in faltering tones started with the now orthodox “fellow workers.” He informed his hearers that Massey had brought a man-o’-war to Wellington to shoot down the strikers, and he reckoned the best thing they could do was to go out on strike. After getting these few remarks off his chest he reckoned he would let someone else have a go. Then a burly native mounted the box, and in very good English, opened with “ladies and gentlemen and fellow workers.” He said he spoke lor the Maori race. The strike was Capital versus Labour. They should show their sympathy with the strikers ia Wellington, and against those who were going to take the bread and butter out of their mouths (laughter and applause). The “scab” was a gentleman because he had to gc t work the same as the strikers. What did the Bible say ? It said, “you shall live by the sweat of your brow.” That proved that they were children of nature. After some more amusing remarks in this strain, the burly Native’s flow ceased. Mr John Hannah then proceeded to the box, but instead of making a speech, as everyone anticipated, he picked up the box, with the remark that the box had a special value after being used by such good speakers. A cheap jick, a little lower, down the street, then attracted the crowd, and his eloquence in respect to the merits of a certain potato peeler were far more convincing and interesting than, if not so amusing as the previous orators’.

JyOCAI, FUAXMIUU HELD UP.

The men employed at Mr Rose’s mill knocked off yesterday. It appears that a young fellow employed in cutting flax for Mr Rose had volunteered for special

police duty. He was one of the three who left to entrain at Shannon on Saturday night. The train did not stop at Shannon, and the young fellows returned home. The young man in question returned to his work yesterday morning. Mr Rose was subsequently informed that unless the young man was dismissed they would not turn to, as they refused to work with a <l scab. They also informed Mr Rose that the matter had been reported to the Union, and that the flaxmill workers were in sympathy with * them. The secretary of the Union came down last evening, and made enquiries.

Mr Rose is conferring with the men, but so far the mill is idle. About 15 men are effected. The Union secretary and Mr Rose again conferred this afternoon, and it is anticipated that the trouble will be amicably settled.