THE STRIKE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1169, 8 November 1913, Page 2

THE STRIKE.

THURSDAY’S DOINGS

THE ATHENIC BEING

loaded,

CHEERS FOR THE

MOUNTEDS

RUMOURED WARRANTS FOR ARRESTS.

(By Telegraph—Special to Herald.

WsW-ington,' Yesterday

Thursday was quiet as far as strike activities were concerned. The specials, however, got in good work, and a start was made by free labour loading the Alheuic with dairy produce from the Wairarapa. Over a thousand mounted specials guaided the wharf and approaches during the*day. Force ol numbers discouraged any demonstration from the other side. Only isolated instances of disorderliness occurred.

The specials were loudly cheered by the crowd iu the Government Buildings yard.

It is rumoured that warrants are out for the arrest of cettaiu persons connected with the strike.

A DAY OF RECKONING

The waterside strike is collapsing, and ere long it will be a thing of the past —a bitter memory to many, but the full reckoning has yet to come, says yesterday’s Dominion. The rioting, the brutal assaults ou citizens, the cowardly stone throwing, the dastardly pistol firing under cover of the crowd, these are not to be forgotten or lost sight of. And what is more important, the men who by their inflammatory speeches, their reckless untruths, and their persistent endeavours to provoke class-hatred and strife, inspired the excesses —they also must be called to account. There is a heavy reckoning yet to be paid before the demands of justice are satisfied.

MOANA’S CREW OUT

WIEEOCHRA’S GO OUT

TO-DAY

(By Telegraph —Special to lleracd. )

Wkcungton, This Morning

The crew left the U.S.S. Co’s. Moana yesterday, and the Willochra’s men went out today.

FARMERS’ PROPOSALS

CONSIDERED BY WATER SIDE WORKERS’ UNION.

Proposals put forward by the farmers were considered by the Watersiders’ Union yesterday. The conditions are for an agreement to last three years between shipping companies, Harbour Boards and watersiders of New Zealand-

Minor disputes to be submitted to a committee, representative of each side and in event of a disagreement, the dispute to be decided by some tbiid party agreed upon by both committees. Further, that in any other industrial dispute which would involve a sympathetic strike of the watersiders union, the union to argree that it will take no action in the matter of a strike unless the employers refuse to submit the dispute to a decision of the Arbitration Tribunal similarly formed to the tribunal to which they have agreed to refer iheir dispute and that work be immediately resumed under the present agreement. The decision of watersiders is not yet announced.

LOADING VESSELS CONTINUE.

Loading is being coutiued on the Athenic, aud Moaua with police protection.

MEETING OF TRADES UNIONISTS.

WILL NOT WORK “SCAB”

MATERIALS,

A meeting of all Trades Unions last evening decided to down tools when asked to use material

handled by “scab” labour. The action of the Trades Unionists has )et to be ratified. The meeting expressed confidence in the United labour Parly and pledged themselves to do all possible to reinstate the men.

Says yesterday’s Dominion “The Government has shown its determination to see that the working of the vessels in port shall proceed, and that adequate protection shall be provided for Arbitration Unionists to carry on that work. It has been demonstrated that with the assistance of the public that protection can be given. Each day will see an increasing volume of labour employed. Should the Federation of Labour still hope to extend the strike to other unions, so much the worse for the Federation, tor it can only mean the com-plete and niter annihilation of the organisation and the lawless spirits who control it. The bigger they attempt to make the strike, the bigger the ultimate smash of the Federation will be.”

STATEMENT BY THE

premier

Some strenuous efforts were made by Labour members to biing the strike on to the floor oi the House oti Thursday, Mr Veitch moved for leave to introduce a Bill, of which he bad given notice on the previous day —the Employment of Waterside Workers and Casual Labour Regulation Bill. Mr Veitch himself disdained any intention of raising talk about the existing unrest, but other Labour members took another view of the position, and were frequently in conflict with the Speaker as they sought to deliver' ‘ strike speeches. The Hon. W. H. Herries moved to adjourn the debate, explaining that the Government considered that this was not the time for talk. The Government’s view of the position was eventually affirmed on a division by 61 votes to 6, Mr Veitch voting for the adjournment After tbe adjournment of the debate had been carrried, the Prime Minister made tbe following statement.’

“1 have been requested by the Reader of the Opposition.” he said, “to make a statement with regard to the present position of the industrial crisis which we are experiencing, and I may say I have no objection to doing so. I informed the honourable gentlemen last evening that the matter had been placed in the hands of the Conci lialion Commissioner for the Wellington district, who is an able and sincere man, and a man who, I believe, has the confidence of both parties to the dispute. lam not able to say up to the present that the Commissioner has beeu able to bring about a reconciliation or a settlement of the difficulty, but he is at work, and the latest report received at 2.30 to-day informed me that be was about to meet one of the parties to the dispute. I have seen the proposals which the Commissioner proposes to submit to both parlies, and while they may probably require amendment, still, if they are agreed to by both parties, legislation will be required. I may say at once —they cannot be given effect to without legislation. I may be able to say what the legislation is later on. Here I would like to say,” continued Mr Massey, “that the dispute has reached a far more serious stage than was contemplated at first. It is not now a dispute between the shipowners of this country and the waterside workers. I want Parliament and the people of the country who have been involved to know that. The people of the country and the producers are now taking a hand, and they have to be consulted in the matter of a settlement. I do not think that legislation is going to settle this dispute, but the great third party to this dispute—the public—has to be considered. If a settlement is arrived at, legislation will be necessary to give effect to it. I shall be very glad indeed to have the opportunity of introducing such legislation in this House. The Government are doing their best under very difficult circumstances. I cannot tell the House and the country everything we are doing—-what we are going to do to-morrow or the next day, but the time will come when we will take the House fully into our confidence. From the very first we have done our very best to bring about a settlement of this difficulty, and I ask members not to hamper or hinder us by saying unwise things.”

STRUCK NOTKS

The Coucilliation Commissioner is optimistic of bringiug both parties to the dispute together ugaiu hi conference at Wellington.

Splendid work is being done by the new Arbitration Unionists at Wellington and three vessels are being worked. The special constables are how being greeted with ringing cheers instead of stones,

There are 200 members of the rrew union.

A number of men were sentenced yesterday to terras of imprison merit, fines or remauded, for stone throwing, using abusive language, etc.

Gisborne Watersiders decline to obey Mr Young.

The Auckland trams, owing to shortage of coal, ceased running last night. Trie outlook is ominous in Auckland and a general strike is afoot.

All the Auckland hotels were closed at 8 o’clock this morning.

Cargd is being worked at Auckland. The employers are determined throughout New Zealand not to recognise workers except those registered under the Arbitration Act.

The captain of the Atheuic denies certain statements made in public by Mr Young that the crew of the vessel would not remain loyal; The crew is loyal to a man.

Wellington was comparatively quiet yesterday. Mr Tregear, who referred to the special comstables as “the outcast scum of the country,” at a public meeting, says that he has been misreported. He said : ‘‘ the outcasts come from the country.” Mr Tregear is a J.P. and a State Pensioner.

More mounted men have been poured into Auckland from the country to do special police work.

The Auckland Exhibition workers have “downed tools.”

“Boss” Young says Timaru is a “scab” port. The Westport branch of Railway Servants by resolution last night withdrew their promise of support to the Federation of Labour.