No Nearer a Settlement

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 53, 3 November 1913, Page 5

No Nearer a Settlement

Awaiting Another Conference. Full Up With Mounted Specials. Domini in Trade Dislocated. [Per Press Association.] Wellington, November 3. It is officially state!? that the masters and mates refuse to do duty on steamers worked by free labour.

Wellington, November S

The following is the Premia’- statement of the interview with the Union's representatives briefly wired at midnight : “The deputation was introduced by the Hon. J. T. Paul, and they asked that I should request the employers to agree to hold another conference in order, as Mr Young put it, to terminate the .unfortunate trouble which (exists at present. “Mr R. S. Semple spoke on similar lines, and the request was supported by Mr Wilson, of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants.

“Sir Joseph Ward explained that he did not come as a member of the deputation, but at the request of Mr Mack (on behalf of the Labor Conference), from whom Tie inquired the nature of the resolutions passed at' the conference. He said he carnet recognising the gravity of the situation and with a view of helping to bring about a settlement. He supported the request for a conference, and said the employers and those associated with them should have every representation made to them to have a conference with a view to terminating this trouble. Speaking for his side of the House, lie said they wanted law and order maintained, and peace restored. The Hon. J. T. Paul pointed out that some short time might be consumed in getting the parties together. “The Prime Minister, in reply, stated that he recognised the serious position that 1 had arisen, and he reminded the deputation that'the position, was-becoming increasingly, difficult, especially in view of the fact that trouble‘had arisen elsewhere. Not only the two parties interested were concerned, but the whole of the public would suffer more than the Federation of Labour or the Waterside Workers or the shipowners. The loss to the country was likely to lie enormous. He pointed out that, so far, this season would under ordinary circumstances" have been best New Zea,land had ever seen, and now it was impossible to calculate the loss that had taken place or would take place. He had done his best at the beginning of last week to settle this difficult}’ so far as their request was concerned. As he had no control over shipowners or employers, he could not say whether they would agree to another conference or not. All that he could do was to ask shipowners to meet the representatives of the workers in conference. If anything were to be done, they must give a little time.' As for working the wharves, he believed there was no intention to resume work on the wharves next day (Monday), so that there would be no difficulty in that respect. He would endeavor sometime on Monday to arrange a conference between the two parties.”

IN WELLINGTON.

STONING INCIDENTS.

i SYMPATHY

UNITED CHURCHES’ RESOLUTION

A meeting, representing the clergy and members of all the Protestant denominations except' the Church of England, met in the Vivian Street Baptist Church. The Anglican clergy sent letters sympathising with the objects of the meeting. A resolution was carried that in view of the present industrial strife in the city and having regard to the existing bitterness and deplorable preparations for armed conflict, this meeting from the Christian churches believe;, that all the means for peaceful settlement have not yet been exhausted, and hereby calls upon the Employers 7 Federation and Worker’s Federation to reconsider the situation in another conference, urging upon the Government meanwhile that all the proposed operations of free labor he suspended till the*conference is concluded.” THE WEST COAST HARD HIT. Westport, November 3. The whole of the district is very hard hit by the strikes at Wellington and Huntly. The watersiders’ strike has automatically closed all the colliers, and now the Millerton, Stockton, and Denniston men have declared for sympathetic strikes. They announced that whatever the result of the Wellington struggle they will not resume until the men they allege have been victimised at Huntly are reinstated. The only large employer of labour continuing operations is the Harbour Board. The Railway Department is reducing train-running to a minimum, and assists those entitled to holidays to take them now. The question of food supply is becoming serious. Many shop's have already exhausted supplies in leading lines.

attempted train-wrecking at shannon. offers of free labour. Levin, November 3. The Chronicle’s Shannon representative reports that a train conveying free laborers was assailed at Shannon about midnight on Saturday witl. showers of stones and bottles. A trolley and a milk can were thrown on the line at Shannon Railway sta tion. They were smashed by the engine, which, fortunately, escaped injury! It is alleged also that sonu sleepers were placed on 1 the line near Shannon, but they were discovered m time to prevent accident. Aii enthusiastic and numerously-at tended meeting of the Levin brand of the New Zealand Farmers’ Umoi resolved to urge the employers to stanc firm in the strike. The names of 2. men were handed in to go to \\ elling ton as special constables, and twelve older farmers signified their .willing ness to work ou the wharf if requii cd.

TRAMWAYMEN AND SEAMEN’S

Wellington, November 2,

There were several serious stoning incidents yesterday, when a squadron of mounted men passed through tin streets, a good deal of road meta being launched against the horsemen who, however, stood fire well, and nc casualties were reported.

At a Special meeting of representa tives of all the unions in Wellington held this morning, two proposals wer. submitted by the Federation of Labor, as follow : (1) That all waterside workers should at once resume on the same conditions as were operating prior to the cessation of operations and that a conference be immediately held between the shipping companies and the parties concerned, ror the purpose of drafting a new tr^reement; (2) that the present national agree merit be extended for a period to be arranged from date, to cover the waterfronts of the Dominion, with a penalty to be arranged for stoppage of work as definde by clause 28 of the old agreement. At a meeting at Newtown Park, addresses were given by Messrs W. T. Mills, Holland, the Rev. Bramsbee and others, and the following resolution was declared carried unanimously: “That this meeting of Wellington citizens protests against the unnecessary invasion of our city by armed men while workers are stil ready to return to work and before all peaceful methods of settlement have been exhausted.”

r i he tramwaymen met this morning and, it is understood, passed a resolution of sympathy with the strikers. The Wahine’s seamen and firemen gave notice yesterday at Lyttelton, and are to ho brought ashore this evening, the vessel being now in the stream. The crew of the Mapourika, which arrived this morning from Picton, have also given notice.

IN AUCKLAND. STRIKERS STILL IN COMMAND. SHIPPING PRACTICALLY BLOCKED. Auckland, November 2. The settlement of the watersiders’ strike is apparently as far off as ever. Telegrams from all over the province indicate that the farmers to a man are anxious to assist in combatting the strike. Five hundred mounted men from the country are expected* to camp near the city early in the week, and later a thousand more will probably arrive.

The strikers have perfected their picketing organisation, so that all the wharves are idle, and shipping is at practically a standstill. No attempt will ho made to work, the vessels in port by free labor until the police force has been strengthened sufficiently to ensure adequate protection.

The Carters’ Union executive officials declare that while they are averse to being drawn into the trouble, there will be no alternative but to refuse to handle any goods to or from the country by rail if the farmers insist on coming to Auckland to assist in breaking the strike.

No change of any importance took place in the position on the waterfront on Saturday. The pickets pur-, sued their activities amongst the shipping, and in the case of the coastal steamers arriving in the poit, piompt measures were adopted to prevent dis-

charging operations being carried out. The seamen knocked off handling coal on the Baden-Powell and Glenelg at the instance of the pickets, but after communicating with the local, office of the Seamen’s Union resumed work. An attempt was made to land a supply of sugar from the Chelsea works, but flic strikers appeared at Hobson Wharf in force and interfered. MAYOR OF AUCKLAND MORE

HOPEFUL. TWO LADS ROUGHLY HANDLED. Auckland, November 3. The Mayor states that as. the result of negotiations lasting till midnight he is more hopeful of a peaceful settlement of the industrial trouble. There is only one point of difference which one side considers a sine qua non. The Mayor’s opinion is

that the point is not from the public point of view of any extreme importance. If the point bo settled, ho believes a fair and settlement would be secured all round and work resumed at Huntly and Auckland. While striving for that object, they are not anxious for peace at any price. If negotiations fail it will be a day or two before there will bo organisation in Auckland. I here may be resistance to law and constituted authority which will make it impossible to attain success.

A mass meeting conducted by the strikers on Sunday afternoon passed quietly, except that two youths who voted against the motion submitted were roughly handled, and were struck by several angry men. Several citizens interfered, and the lads were extracted with difficulty from the mob, but were followed up the street by a howling mob until a constable appeared. The boys were placed in a taxi and driven away. A CORRECT lON. Wellington, November 3. With respect to the telegram from Christchurch stating that the wireless operator on the Wahine heard H.M.S. Philomel talking to H.M.S. Psyche in the naval code, there appears to be some mistake. The operator says he never gave any such information, and could not hear any vessel talking to H.M.S. Psyche, and would not have known what vessel it was if he had. IN CHRISTCHURCH. WORKERS’ MANIFESTO. Christchurch, November 2.

The following communication by thi strike committee of the Lyttelton wat erside workers was handed to the press this afternoon :—“An enthusiastic meeting iof delegates; from .-the Canterbury organised unions was beh. n the Trades Hall, Christchurch, last night. Over twenty delegates were present, and great enthusiasm washown. Offers were received guaran teeing the billeting of wives am children of the strikers find fid! support from all organised unions u Canterbury. It was stated that matters were very satisfactory, and that splendid solidarity was being shown on the Lytetltorj, water-fron regarding the Illimaroa fruit ques tion. . It was also stated that ai endeavor was made by the agents fron Christchurch to handle the fruit un cler various plausible reasons, bu this was firmly and promptly refus ed. Regarding the hospital and asy him necessaries, the strike coriimit tee will be only too pleased to giv< every assistance. The committee em phatically deny having stopped an local food supply, and the action o some local retailers in standing b} the watersiders in these presen troubles has earned the gratitude and support of all unionists.—By older of the Citizens’ Strike Committee.”

Thq ferry wharf is usually a scene of great activity on Saturdays, whethe ferry steamer and the East Coas Auckland steamer are working, bu it was unusually quiet to-day. Mr F. Luch, president of the North Canterbury Farmers’ Union, issue* the following manifesto to the water side workers at Lyttelton:—“Whil wo cannot but admire the spirit o' loyalty which has prompted you t< cease work in support of your con freres in other centres, we much regret that your action is causing anc is likely to cause considerable loss t< farmers and the whole community, am while we- have every sympathy wit! the legitimate aspirations of Labor we submit that the strike method i the worst possible means of securing that objective, the present mo ment there is a large quantity of pro duce and merchandise awaiting ship ment and landing, and to hold up thi business will entail serious and irre parable loss. Particularly is this tin case in regard to dairy produce, which as you may know, is the product o" the small farmer. This, if barret from shipment, will miss the Horn' market at the best part of the season namely, the winter months. Moreover the small farmers’ wool clip will alsr he blocked, and thus miss the first sale of the series in London. Unde* these conditions we trust that wise counsels will prevail and that worl will lie resumed as heretofore, leavitm any questions at issue to he settled by arbitration or other conciliatory methods. Failing this, farmers of North Canterbury may be compelled however much' they regret it, to tak<

such actions as may be deemed neces sary to (ensure that the work of load iug and unloading produce shall pro ceed.” At 5.30 p.m. the firemen and trimmers on the steamers Waliiu* gave twenty-four hours* notice. This will mean that unless they reconsidei their decision they will leave tlr ship to-morrow night at Wellington

Tho Canterbury Employers’ Federation lias decided that it will make an effort to work the wharves, and in pursuance oi. that plan, called for free labor. An official stated that 2UU men were required to work the wharves at Lyttelton and 1300 to protect them, and if this number was forthcoming a start would be made on the wharves on Thursday. In view of the uncertainty created

by t{ie waterside strike regarding the ability of North Island horses to get to Riccarton the committee of the Canterbury Jockey Club has made special arrangement regarding’ tho acceptances for the approaching meeting. These will be received subject to the horses being able to get to tin' meet, and fees will not be charged if facilities are not available on account of the strike for them to fulfil their engagements.

POSITION AT WANGANUI. Work on the wharves is progressing smoothly, though one or two agitators favor a strike. The ships in port include tho Ngat oro, with coal, ordered on from New Plymouth. Plenty of work is available for the labor offering, and there seems no immediate prospect of a strike, at any rate until the steamers loaded by free labor come along. In 'common with other places, prices have risen considerably since the strike began. The bakers are getting very short of flour.

SPECIAL CONSTABLES. THE COUNTRY’S RESPONSE. Napier, November 2. About one hundred and fifty men left at 7.30 this morning by special train to Wellington. Numerous applications from men desiring to go have had to bo rejected. The inspector of police received messages all day from men and it is evident that hundreds could be sent to Wellington ‘if required.

Masterton, November 2

A second contingent of nearly two hundred mounted special constables was despatched from Wairarapa to Wellington yesterday, and further contingents are preparing to go. The effect of the strike is being /felt on foodstuffs, there being almost a famine in sugar and flour. The local bakers are increasing the price of bread as from to-morrow. Coal supplies are also running short. Marion November 2.

An enthusiastic,crowd gave a hearty send-off to forty Special constables at 3 o’clock to-night. There was a ffccle “boohooing” by some, but this was drowned bv lusty cheers.

Daunevirke, November 2

I his •morning twenty odd men joined the special ’train here to proceed to < Wellington to act as special coustableMa'nd free laborers. Later in the day, a body of thirty men arrived in Dahnevirke from Akitio district, under Mr I 1 rank Armstrong, with the intention of proceeding to Wellington to assist against the strikers. GREY WATERSIDERS COME OUT Id, yfcGroymouth, November 2. The Grey watersiders, at a meeting this afternoon, decided to stop work. The meeting was fairly well attended. This action caused considerable surprise locally, as the union Is registered under the Arbitration Court. THE CARTERS’ SUPPORT. Christchurch, November 2. Tile Canterbury Drivers’ Union met last night and decided: (1) To give the watersiders all the support possible, both morally and financially;

i2) to refuse to handle any goods loaded or handled by free labor; (3) to pay a voluntary levy to be fixed by the executive. Spontaneous subscriptions given in the room totalled £6 10s.

WORKING AT THE BLUFF.

Invercargill, November 2.

The position in Invercargill and in the Bluff in regard to the strike is unaltered. There was a big demand on Saturday for coal and sugar, but the supplies of both commodities are fairly good. It is not known whether Nightcaps miners intend to join the strike.

The Bluff watorsiders, who work under an awards decided to continue work under their agreement, and the Taviuni, with 150 tons of coal from Greymouth, was discharged on Saturday. TARANAKI’S INTERESTS'. At a public meeting held in the New Plymouth Borough Council Chambers on Saturday afternoon the following resolution was moved by Mr Goodacre, vice-president of the Employers’ Association: “That this meeting expresses its extreme regret at the strike of the waterside workers whereby the commerce of the Dominion is disorganised, and pledges itself to support the harbor boards of the various ports in their efforts to maintain the normal trade.” Mr W. Forbes seconded the resolution.

The resolution was carried with great acclamation. The only dissentient was the president of the Motnroa Waterside Workers’ Union.

Mr 0. N. Firth proposed the following resolution: “That this meeting requests the New Plymouth Employers’ Association to meet representatives from the local waterside workers’ union and endeavour to make arrangements to resume the work of the port.” —The resolution was seconded by Mr W. F. McAllum, and after some discussion it was carried on a show of hands.

Air J. Hayden, who asked, “Are we going to sit still and let these mtui

do as they like?” proposed; “That this meeting request the Harbor Board to communicate with tho various shipping companies and offer tne facilities of the port for the working of any vessels, English or Colonial, that may be I ordered here, as plenty of tree labor is available.” Mr H. H. Street secondled the motion, “it wo go to the coun- | try we’ll get hundreds of men to work,” he said.—The resolution was carried.

Other resolutions which were carried were as follows: — ,“That this meeting regrets exceedingly that the owners of the boat Ngatoro called her away when plenty ol tree labor was available here for hei discharge.” “That this meeting thanks those who have already volunteered lor work, land requests further volunteers for i working the vessels here -or at any I other port, also act as special constables, and also for the loan of horses.

TARANAKI “SPECIALS.” ELTHAM’S GOOD RESPONSE. A public meeting was hold at Elthain on Saturday when there was an excellent enrolment for men to serve as special constables in 'Wellington; and this morning a special train lelt Eltham for Wellington carrying fiftyseven men with horses and equipment. Of this number about ten were from fu e Stratford district. Yesterday, Mr V. Crawshaw received a telegram nom Mr C. A. Wilkinson, M.P., notifying that the special train was leaving and that any men available in Stratford could travel by it. The Stratford ( men, therefore, rode through to Eltham this morning to catch the train, which loft at 10 o’clock. Among the Stratford contingent was Mr C. Layly, who, in addition to giving his own services, lent six horses.

RETAIL PRICES IN STRATFORD.

Although it was not notified in our issue of Saturday that the Central Co-op. Store Company had decided to adhere to its present prices for all stores until absolutely compelled by merchants’ advances to make any rise, this decision was come to by Mr W. McDonald on Friday evening last, and when waited upon by Mr R. Masters early on Saturday morning regarding the trade’s proposed attitude, Mr McDonald made this intention very plain. In the hurry of business, however, Mr McDonald omitted to notify the fact to our representative until enquiry was made at his office this morning. Further enquiry elicits the fact that other storekeepers -will maintain the same attitude. ‘‘WATCH INC THE CAT.” I By Electric Telegraph—Copyright] tUnited Press Association.] (Received 9.0 a.in.) Sydney, November 3. In consequence of the strike, the steamer Riverina will not sail for Auckland on Wednesday. The Union Co. states that no changes in the running of their vessels is contemplated at present. They are waiting to see how the cat jumps.