Labor and Capital at War.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 51, 31 October 1913, Page 5

Labor and Capital at War.

[Per Prims Association.]

A Press Association telegram this morning states: Notice has been issued to the Fifth Wellington Regiment of Territorials calling in all rifles and bayonets at once under pain of a line. All the Government buildings are under special protection day and night.

THE ‘‘SPECIALS” STONED.

Wellington, October 30

The most exciting strike incident during the day was an assault by the crowd on a squad of special constables camped at the Post Office Stores on Waterloo Quay. A meeting was in progress in Post Office Square when a messenger arrived, and the rssembled strikers and curious onlookers rushed to the reclaimed land, where the special constables were mounted. Constables appeared on the scene to protect the “specials,” and the mob stoned the policemen, some of whom were cut about the hands, and the specials, being hopelessly outnumbered, beat a retreat.

Shortly afterwards the bluejackets on H.M.S. Psyche were paraded with rifles and fixed bayonets.

ON LAMBTON QUAY. A lively scene occurred in Lambton Quay at five o’clock. A large number of special constables had b aen sworn in at the Town Hall, and these departed in small groups in different directions. The streets was crowded with two or three thousand people, and under Whitcbmhe’s; verandah dho' press was fearful. The special constables found rptreat in Wbitcojnbeand Tombs’ s mp, but not before one had his head p ished through a glazed door. During the disturbance there was an explosion, apparently from a firecracker, although reports were -current that a revolver had been used, and that the bullet had broken one of Whitcombe and Tombs’ large shop This supposition, however, was an erroneous one. The window was. broken by a stone. The crowd threatened to invade Whitcombe’s premises in search of the special police, . and three constables and some shop assistants kept the crowd at bay with revolvers.

ON JERVOiS QUAY. A little later a more serious affair occurred on Jervois Quay, where a number of mounted men rode along the waterfront, and, on approaching Queen’s Wharf entrance, the crowd stoned the constables and threw some detonators about. After going a little 'past the Queen’s Wharf gates, which were quiokly closed, the police turned their horses and swept liack at a smart canter on to the crowd, which was now largely composed of the general public. Two men were injured, one being knocked down by a horse and one, it is alleged, batoned.

It is reported that the Drivers’ Union has decided not to handle any goods worked by “scab” laborers.

OUT OF SYMPATHY

CIVIL SERVANTS ENROLLED. All Civil servants were to-day invited to perform service in protecting the Government property. The call for enrolment of special constables was responded to by a very large proportion of men in the offices. The Government Building is lit up ail round, and patrols guard the various Government offices. About 800 special constables were sworn, in this afternoon, and more to-night. To-morrow there will be about a thousand available for duty. Mounted men are not on duty to-night. STRIKER SHOT IN THE NECK. It is now stated that during the Jervois Quay melee one striker was shot in the neck while mixed up with a mounted man. With one hand the striker had pinned the constable’s baton hand, and with the other ho was holding a burning fuse under the horse’s nose. Other men were crowded round the horseman, who, apparently finding himself in difficulties, reached across with his left hand to .a holster, drew a revolver, and fired.

SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS

SIR JOSEPH WARD AND THE PREMIER.

In the House to-night. Sir Joseph Ward drew the attention of the Prime Minister to statements made to him concerning happenings in connection with the strike that evening. So far as his side of the House was concerned, lie stated that they were in favor of maintaining law and order. In the

Watersiders’ Strike Produces Men Injured as Result of Conflicts, I Far-reaching Effects. Public Alarm,

TOFUA’S FRUIT UNLOADED.

Auckland, October 30

Post Office Square that afternoon a large number of people, most of whom were in no way connected with the strike, found themselves in the position of being galloped over by a number of mounted police and special police. Those men, after riding past the gathered crowds for some distance, suddenly turned, diverged seventy yards, and galloped through the crowd, in which were a number of women. The men who were engaged as 'those constables were to-day, lost their beads, and must be held responsible for the accident such as had occurred. A member of the Watersiders’ Union bad also informed him fbat until the display by special constables with batons, order had been maintained amongst the unionists, but the display bad had a marked effect upon the men. His informant had stated that he could not imagine what he had seen possible in this country. As things were going now there was sure to be bloodshed. The incident had caused a very keen sense of resentment among the people who wanted to see the matter honorably ended. ,

Mr Massey, replying, said that he had heard nothing of the matter until a few moments ago, and if Sir .T. Ward’s statements were found to he correct (and he did not doubt him), he would have it ended. . The Government had done everything possible to bring'the two parties together, with a view to ending the dispute, hut the negotiations had been broken off, and ho could net say when they would he resumed. The Government recognised that it was itp duty to keep the ports open and industries going, and nut down lawlessness. He wanted the co-op of the Leader of the OppositipiUjuid kis pat;ty in settling the strike i Sir J. 'Ward said'that he and his party were against lawlessness, but he would not stand by and see the happenings he had described without drawing attention tp them. Everything possible should he done before a strike was allowed to take place. i #

Hr Massey, replying, said that ho had that moment heard that a party of mounted con stable,s, together with some special constables, were proceeding along, the waterfront when they were subjected to extreme provocation. They were pelted with stones and iron, and one constable was so seriously injured that he may not recover. He repeated that, )ie would inquire into the whole matter.

Hr P. C. Webb asked whether, in view of the fact that the whole town was electrified, the Government would withdraw the special constables.

Mr A. L. Herdman replied that the Government would not withdraw the special constables, but circumstances had occurred in the past few days that would render it necessary to enrol more constables in order that the people could go about their business in the ordinary way.

Mr Webb: “Then you will bo responsible for any' murders. ”

Preparatory to the actual work of unloading the Tofua’s cargo of fruit, a contingent of some 30 members of the Harbor Board’s office staffs started shifting rods and bars of iron, largo quantities of which were scattered about the wharf in the vicinity of the vessel. This was merely a precaution, it being no doubt recognised that iron rods would •be dangerous weapons. Quietly and without interruption, the free workers went on board the Tofua, land the first lot of fruit, a sling cf eleven cases of bananas, was discharged on the wharf and trucked into a shed. A riot had been expected to signalise the actual discharging operations, but the spectators were disappointed. Mr Semple explained to a reporter that the Strike Committee had realised that the cargo of fruit on the Tofua meant a very great deal to a few struggling planters. It had therefore been decided to let it go through, in the interests of those who had already suffered very greatly. The matter was not one which vitally affected the issue the irien were fighting for, and no further objection would be offered to tins particular cargo being handled.

AUCKLAND ANGRY. 'l'lse first .indication of trouble was at No. 3 jetty, where a number of the Northern Company’s coastal steamers were berthed. The attention of a picket was drawn to the fact that some wool was being loaded on to a lorry from a store on No. 8 wharf. A big crowd of strikers and others interested hurried from the vicinity of the Queen’s Wharf to the jetty, and

LYTTELTON TIED UP.

DUNEDIN AFFECTED.

found that no action was required in regard to the wool, and the crowd were about to leave again when it was noticed that preparations were being made to coal the s.s. Ngapuhi from a bulk alongside. The men evidently resented the action of the permanent workers, and, remarking that they would “settle the scabs," coolly jumped on to the steamer, picked up the skids (used for trucking coal) and trolley, walked deliberately across tho wharf, and dumped.the gear into tbe harbor. Then they demanded that the hands should cease work, and tlie request being complied with, they turn, ed their attention to the s.s. Anpouri, where they were meeting with some further success when the police interfered. Speaking at a mass meeting to-day, Mr Semple said be was sorry that tbe position had become so serious. The Government had done nothing but •»- j cite the men with wild talk about i batons and about one mounted policennan being more effective than 20 fnn j police. Last night 1100 extra batons 1 had been served out to special police. This sort of thing was only inciting disorder. Strikes in 1913 could not be settled with the club. He hoped tbe baton would not be used in Auckland, but ho would say this: if the club was going to be used the only thing for men to do was to decline to allow their beads to be used as targets, to manufacture their own

batons, and use them in defence of their lives.

THE WHARVES DESERVED. After a day and a half at the wharves with nothing doing, the colliers in port left their berths this morning and wept to anchorage in the stream. In addition to the Union colliers, Komata, Rakanoa, and Koromiko, and the Westport Coal ’ Company’s Canopus, there is the New Zealand Shipping Company’s steamer Tongariro and the Island trader Hauroto. It is perhaps significant that although there is already at least 1200 tons of coal awaiting discharge at Auckland and Onehunga, the Kaituna left Westport and the New Blackball Coal Company’s Ngahnta left Greymouth yesterday, both with full cargoes for Auckland.

ALL WATERSIDERS CALLED OUT. Wellington', October 30. All the waterside unions in New Zealand have been called out, and cease work at once. THE DAIRY INDUSTRY. APPEAL BY THE FARMERS’ UNION. Palmerston North, October 30. The Wellington Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union, presided over by Mr J. G. Wilson, to-day decided to issue a pamphlet calling upon farmers’ sons to volunteer to work on the wharves, for the sake of the (fairy industry.

“We must defend ourselves and protect the fruit of our industry,” concludes the circular.

A large “proclamation” placard has also been prepared to to be posted ui> at creameries and centres where young farmers work. This points out the injury the strike will effect to the dairy industry, |pul contains an appeal from the Defence Committee of the Union. It shows that from £3 to £■"> a week can be earned, and that full protection will he given. “We know,” it concludes, “the inconvenience this must he at such a season, but at all hazards the industry must be protected lest it collapses.”

Forms have been drawn up for the men to sign. They are as follow:

“I, ,of , volunteer to go to Wellington, if called upon, with my horse, to act as special constable to protect free labor loading or unloading vessels. Signed, Witness, " This is to be sent to the nearest police station.

The enrolling of special constables has been proceeding to-night. Many are offering.

Christchurch, October 30

Te ferry steamers Wahine and Maori will ho kept running carrying passengers and mails, but if the coal ports shut down, it will be a matter of a few days only before the local bunker coal supplies are exhausted and both ships will ho compelled to stop running unless a settlement of the trouble is speedily reached. There is a fleet of oversea liners- up North, with cargoes for Lyttelton, amounting to over seven hundred tons, hut they will not reach this port until after the Wellington trouble is settled, and if other ports close down there will he no ships left in Lyttelton to be affected by the strike.

Already the men are feeling the pinch very badly, owing to the small amount of work offering in Lyttelton. A very large proportion of men have been idle for days, apd they will be in a very bad position to face the strike.

Dunedin, October 30

Late this afternoon Dunedin was drawn into active participation in the Wellington waterside workers’ strike, a telegram being received from the Federation of Labor calling on Dunedin waterside workers to cease work. A mass meeting however of the union is called for to-day to discuss the position, and a ballot is to be taken first. Some of the workers make no secret of the fact that they would prefer, and are fully prepared, to break away from the Federation and register a. new union under the Arbitration Act. At a ballot a few weeks ago,

SWORN LV

the union decided to remain in the Federation by three votes. NELSON HARD HIT. ! Nelson, October 30. , The strike is already causing ser-j ions losses to the growers of strawberries, gooseberries, and green peas. The latter, which were selling in Wellington last week at Is Ud per peck, are now being retailed locally at prices varying from 6d to 9d, and it is reported that some growers contemplate feeding pigs on the peas rather than incur the expense of picking and marketing in Nelson at unremunerativo prices. Strawberries are ripening fully, and prices have dropped from Is 9d and 2s wholesale in Wellington a few days ago to 9d and Is per punnet locally. It is understood that local waterside workers generally are not in sympathy with the strike.

AUCKLAND DRIVERS. Auckland, October 30. I Considerable interest was evinced in | to-night’s meeting of the Auckland i Driver’s Union, in view of the factthat with the watersiders it forms the t local transport section of the United l Federation of Labor. Therefore sympathetic action was expected. The i meeting was largely attended, and | lasted about two hours. At the closei I the officials announced that 800 men i had unanimously decided they would; 1 * * I not cart goods handler I>y rVee labor, j STATE MINERS OUT. I Greymouth, October 30. j The State Miners at a meeting yesterday decided to “down tools” in j sympathy with the Wellington strife- ' ers. All work ceased at the mines to-day. i THE NORTHERN COMPANY. I REDUCED TO PASSENGER SERVICE. Auckland, October 31. The principal feature of the strike this morning was the effect upon the Northern Company’s large steamship service. As the carters arrived with I their vehicles loaded with cargo for j the various ports, they were stopped 'by the pickets. A few who persisted in going on the wharves had to turn back, the crews of the steamers, on being appealed to by the strikers, | refusing to handle* the cargo. The j result is that the Northern Company’s steamers in time will be reduced to a passenger service.

IM THE WAIKATO. • ill-, ;; • WILL AFFECT DAIRY INDUSTRY. ___ur ’ y;-? 'I Hamilton, 1 October 31. The Auckland strike is likely to seriously affect the dairy industry in the Waikato. The Auckland cold storage 1 is practically all taken up, and as there is very little available local storage, if relief is not forthcoming within the next few weeks, some of the dairy factories will be compelled to close down. Should such a contingency arrive the blow would be a serious one to Waikato dairymen, as the factories will lie unable to receive milk, while the herds still require full attention or they will deteriorate and the unfortunate owner will bo competed to feed his milk to pigs, calves, or otherwise dispose of ft at a considerable loss.

OFFER OF 2000 FARMERS. The local branch of the Farmers’ Union and the Waikato Winter and Summer Show Associations wired Mr Massey to-day offering to raise a force of farmers and sons, armed if necessary, provided they are guaranteed protection. It was decided not to attempt unloading until the force is thoroughly organised, when the men will be ready to leave by special trains if necessary. Meantime, they were keeping in touch with the Auckland Farmers’ Union.

WELLINGTON QUIET TO-DAY.

ADDITIONAL CONSTABLES

I Wellington, October 31. | Matters are comparatively quiet on I the waterfront this morning, j Union pickets .still veto any goods |or horses going on the wharves for shipment. Two mounted police are parading. Strikers are standing about [the square in groups, and are quite order! v.

Additional special constables have been sworn in.

The Marere from London via Auckland arrived and anchored in the harbour.

DUNEDIN DEFINITELY OUT.

Dunedin, October 31

Responding to the call from Wellington, the local watersiders refused to resume work this morning.

AUSTRALIAN OPINION. CANDID ADVICE. fßv Ei.egtrio Tecegraph—Copyright] [Uniter Press Association.! (Received 10.5 a.in.) Sydney, October 31. The Herald says; “At the present moment the Wellington strikers are enjoying a short-lived license, but there are already collecting in the country at the back certain solid bodies of horsemen which within a day or two will probably have considerably altered the complexion of affairs. The

SHEET.”

strikers are sufficiently numerous id render the earliest detachments impotent, but it is only a question of hours before they will find themselves faced with a very different problem and by men, who are in no mood to have their free passage interfered with by anybody. If the New Zealand Government is wise it will leave matters in these hands. If the authorities keep their heads, they wont for a moment attempt to avail themselves of the help of the men from the Royal Navy to secure a settlement of the industrial dispute. Admittedly, the authorities have a right to call in that aid in face of physical force, but it

is a right to be exercised only as a last resort, and with the utmost caution. Nothing short of danger to the lives of innocent and defenceless persons, apprehension, grave injury to women and children, incendiarism ashore, and the following up of ships

and similar outrages could justify the use of naval seamen during the progress of an Australasian strike. MOTUROA MEN OUT. Something in the nature of a surprise was occasioned last night (says the News), when the casual wharf laborers at Moturoa went out on strike. The relations between the men and the employers were so cordial that it was not expected that the men would come out. But when the Federationof Labor issued a request that the men “down tools” all previous calculations were upset. At the time they ceased work seventy-two tons'of cargo was left in the Kamona’s holds, consisting of twenty tons of coal, twenty tons of cement, sixteen tons of phosphates, and sixteen tons of timber (telegraph poles). No further effort was made to get this cargo out, the vessel leaving for Westport to load coal later in the evening. There was no other vessel in port. AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT. Interviewed by a Daily News reporter, the president of the Moturoa Waterside Workers’ Union (Mr G. Oakes), said that the members of his union had no fault to find with the conditions under which they are working, but they felt in honor bound to obey the request of the Federation of Labor, to which the union had been affiliated for some time past. Other members of the union took the matter very quietly and had little to say. Ope man said: “I reckon that the reason behind all this strike is a dislike for the Massey Government. The present Government is no good to the workers at all. The new Land Bill is death to the workers and .the proposed amendment to the Conciliation Act makes the organised worker worse than'a bond-slave. I don’t think many of the workers of this country are in favor of Massey’s policy. Most of them are thoroughly imbued with the idea that Massey is out to crush tlie labor organisations with ‘scab’ unions.” i THE SHIPPING. t , S T, i 'j | I j i' ■ ■ Two steamers are due in port this morning, the Northern Steamship Company’s Earavva, from Onehtmga, and the Blackball Company’s collier Ngatoro, from the west coast of the South Island.

“WHEN THERE’S NO PAY

That the union is not a house undivided, however, was indicated by a member of the union, who said that many of the men don’t realise yet what they have committed themselves to. “They’ll begin to feel it at the end of a week or two, when there’s no pay sheet,” he said. “Our trouble is not too much work, but not enough of it. Some of the men are not really in favor of striking. They are not at all in favor of following the Federation of Labor. We were affiliated with the Federation only two or three months ago, and then the motion to affiliate was carried by a majority of only two votes.” ,

Other strikers who were interviewed also said that they were sorry that the strike had come. They were working under much better conditions than formerly. Even now, the best men did not average more than £2 os per week as against £1 18s or £1 19s under the former agreement.

-S3 THE EFFECT LOCALLY.

All sorts of rumors are current in Stratford as to the effect the strike is likely to have upon the family meal table or on the exchequer. Many of the stories, however, are rather premature, for on inquiry to-day a repres sentative of the “Evening Post” elecited the fact that no immediate effect of any consequence need be contemplated. Of course, all the grocers, for instance, are not situated similarly ; one is well stocked in flour and sugar and kerosene and can hold out for two or three weeks, while others again, are not so well placed. Their actions will he governed entirely by the duration of the watersiders* troubIse and their power to paralyse oversea trade. A firm of painters is stated to have a stock of white lead on hoard ship for which they are waiting with all the patience they can muster, as very soon some of the employers will have to go off the paysheet. At least one firm is affected in another way. It is minus an employee owing to his response to the call for special assistance at the Empire City. It cannot he denied, however, that the position as regards the dairying industry gives cause for serious reflection.