THE STRIKE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1173, 18 November 1913, Page 3

THE STRIKE.

PALMERSTON RAILWAYMEN TAKE NO ACTION. A meeting of the Palmerston branch of the Amalgamated Society of Railwaymen was held on Sunday, when the present Industrial situation as affecting the railway employees was traversed by the president, Mr W. T. Wilson. The Railway Department notified the meeting that its employees would not be called upon to perform work ordinarily done by wharf labourers. It was decided to take no action in the strike, the meeting generally disagreeing with the attitude of the strikers. An appeal from Wanganui to strike a levy in aid of the strikers was rejected. A few individual members have decided to contribute voluntarily to the strike funds. FLAXWORKERS PREPARED TO DOWN TOOLS. A largely attended meeting of delegates Irom the various flaxmills in the Manawatu was held in Palmerston North on Saturday. The strike was the principal matter under discussion, aud it was decided, iu view of the various statements alleged to be appearing in the papers as to the attitude of the Flaxmill Workers’ Union, to furnish the following statement 10 the press: “The Flaxmill Employees’ Union is entirely iu accord with and extends its sympathy and support to the workers now on strike, and, while the feeling amongst the men at the various mills is strongly in favour of striking in sympathy, they are in accord with the expressed desire of the United Federation of Labour executive to remain at work, because, in doing so, it is believed they are iu the best position to assist the strikers. Should a call come, however, the men everywhere are prepared to down tools.’’ The secretary explained that all the mill hands could be called out on strike in two hours. AT WELLINGTON. Wellington, Nov. 17 Work is still proceeding steadily »u the wharves. The holding of meetings of strikers in the Post Office Square has been stopped. The Mararoa, on which the Arbitratiouists a*e accommodated, is now alongside Queen's Wharf. Edward Colclough, charged with firing a revolver at a constable, aud James Hassett, charged with attempting to murder Commissioner Cullen, were both remanded in the Police Court. The Wellington Tramway men have decided not to strike or to cancel their registration under the Arbitration Act. The steamer Maori resumed her running in the Lyttelton-Welling-ton ferry service on Saturday night with her stokehold aud deck manned entirely by members of the Merchant Guild. In the stokehold their were no fewer than seven first mates holding masters’ certificates, whilst nine masters were acting as A.B’s. There are enough officers offering to man both the Maori and Waihine, and it is expected that the latter vessel will be in commission again during this week. AT AUCKLAND, Auckland, Nov. 17. The protected area on the waterfront was extended to-day to include the railway wharf, where nine coasters and the Tyser steamer Muritai are berthed, but the work will not be started there on an extended scale for a day or two. The Harbour Board aud wharf extension works, suspended when the general strike was called, were resumed this morning between 60 and 70 of the total of 300 previously employed having returned to work. Picketing is being much more strictly prosecuted in the city and surbubs than hitherto. Harry Burbush, a special mounted constable, who resides at Hamilton, when jumping a hurdle in the Domain camp, was thrown and rolled upon by his horse. He was removed to the Hospital suffering from light concussion, NAPIER SYMPATHISERS. Napilk, Nov. 17. As the outcome of a campaign by a delegation from the Wellington strikers, the situation locally has undergone some change. The carters have passed a resolution not to handle arbitration cargo, and a section of the watersiders also resolved not to recognise the union formed under the Arbitration Act. The railwaymen and the Painters’ Union passed resolutions of sympathy with the strikers and condemning the actions of the Government. The painters voted ,£25 and make a levy of five per cent, weekly for strikers’ dependents.