THE STRIKE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1180, 4 December 1913, Page 2

THE STRIKE.

AUSTRALIAN TROUBLE RESTRICTED. ONLY NEW ZEALAND BOATS TO BE BOYCOTTED. Sydney, Dec. 4. A mass meeting of the wharf labourers, Mr W. M. Hughes presiding, decided by a ten to one majority to continue the boycott of cargo to and from New Zealand. The New Zealand Labour delegates approved of this resolution. Other cargo will be which means that the Union Co.’s and the Huddait Parker's coastal boats will not be specially boycotted.

This decision embodies the policy framed by the big Unionist conference at to-day’s meeting. The Iron Trades’ Federation decided to decline to touch boats to and from New Zealand. This applies to all affiliated unions, such as blacksmiths, ironworkers, and engineers.

Two thousand wharf labourers were present at the stop-work meeting, and all the wharves were idle.

Proceedings at times were turbulent and discordant. A large section of men resented confining the war to New Zealand, desiring a general strike and threatening further trouble.

The ordinary meeting of the Wharf labourers’ Union takes place to night. Mr Hughes was besieged and importuned by angry unionists after the meeting. They condemn the decision as being contrary to the principles of unionism. The Herald, commenting on the attitude of the malcontents, saj's that while the unionists have decided to restrict the area of the disturbance the future is by no means clear.

PRESS COMMENTS. Sydney, Dec, 3. The Herald, commenting on the conference’s decision, says the Federation of Labour was estabtablished in order to crush the principle of peaceful arbitrament in industrial disputes. It is this attitude which is fraught with such disaster to the community, which the New Zealand employers have partially fought with success and still resist. It is this which Mr Hughes and his colleagues are encouraging in the decision whereto they stood sponsors. The Telegraph says the strike has reached and passed a stage whereat the Government can reasonably be appealed to by the community for guidance and protection. We are presented with the remarkable spectacle of a Government remaining supine and nerveless while a self-constituted Parliament of unionists discusses whether there shall be a general strike or only a partial strike.”

NOTES. The Maheuo arrived at Auckland yesterday from Sydney. She had fine weather on the voyage. The trip occupied 5 days 6 hours. The vessel was worked by a scratch crew composed of officers assisted by volunteers, mostly passengers. Those working in the stokehold worked very satisfactorily with the engineers, who themselves did firemen’s duty. The stewards were short-staffed and were assisted by lady passengers at the table. A general endeavour to overcome the difficulties was manifested. The Aoraugi leaves Wellington for San Francisco on Saturday. Work is proceeding quietly at all important ports.