THE STRIKE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1170, 11 November 1913, Page 4

THE STRIKE.

AT AUCKLAND,

A GENERAL STRIKE

MANY UNIONS OUT.

5,000 MEN IDLE

Auckland, Nov. to. Tbe long threatened general strike has eventuated.

Yesterday the Waterside Workers’ strike extended to the carpenters, bricklayers, painters, carters, engine-drivers, Harbour Board casuals, construction work employees, coal miners, general labourers, and cooks and waiters.

Other unions are stated to have indicated to the Strike Committee that they are ready to join issue, and amongst them is mentioned the gas works employees.

In other trades men are idle because of a shortage in coal. Tramway men to the number of 720 are now amongst those out of work.

It is estimated that approximately 5,000 men are on strike, and that with the tramwaymen and employees in other trades which are idle, the number out of work totals nearly 6,000. The general strike was precipitated by the arrival on the water front at daylight yesterday morning of Soo special constables. Ths unions above enumerated had carried resolutions affirming their intention of coming out the moment special constables arrived on the waterfront. Consequently when the men arrived this morning at their places of occupation, word was given to cease work. The men went out on the passive resistance principle, and proceeded straight to the Trades' Hall, where the central Strike Executive was set up to conduct the strike affairs, after which the great majority of the men quietly dispersed.

It is understood that the Union leaders made a strong plea that the men on strike should avoid aggressive tactics aud keep out of any street disturbances.

The arrival of special police ou the waterfront was carried out in accordance with a very well arranged plan of campaign. Three hundred men spent the night at the drill hall, and at five o’clock started out for the Queen’s Wharf. These men arrived at the foot of Queen street simultaneously with the detachment of 500 "specials” from the Mount Eden camp at the Domain. They look possession of the waterfront without hindrance, and formidable barricades were at once erected right across the city end of Queen’s Wharf.

Throughout the morning a strong detachment of mounted men allowed the crowd no nearer the waterfront than the Central Post Office.

Ferry traffic was diverted to Hobson street and the King’s Wharf, so that in the vicinity of the Queen’s Wharf there was no occasion for traffic. During the morning, seven Northern Company boats were berthed and worked.

An interested crowd of specta tors stood and watched proceed' ings throughout the day.

No ‘‘free labour” iu the unionist sense of the term, is being employed ou the wharves. It is announced that adequate measures are to be taken for the protection of the city. Night and day 100 special constables will be billeted at the drill hall, at the big shed ,pn the Queen’s Wharf, and at twb' other places in the heart of the city.

Four hundred mouuted men will be within call of the waterfront day and night. At the direction of the Magistrates ol the city, all the hotels in Auckland are closed.

A collection of pepper and sand, iron pipe, batons loaded in some cases with nails, wire and other gear, was found iu the watersiders' rooms when searched by the police last night. The city was quiet, and today members of the unions on strike gathered and marched to the Domain to hold a mass meeting.

SHAKESPEARE AND

STRIKE.

HENRY IV. REVISED,

Mr Young— I can call seamen from the Alb-

entc. Captain Crossland — Why, so can I, or so can any

man ; But will they come when you do

call for them ?

Mr Young — Why, I can teach you, Crossland,

to command

An army,

Captain Crossland — 1 And I can answer, Young, for my own ship's crew.

If you have power to raise an

army ot Fifteen thousand fiaxmill hands, why bring them hither ? But kindly tell the truth about

Alheuic’s crew

O, while you live, tell truth, and

shame the devil !