Second Edition. WATERSIDER'S STRIKE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 53, 3 November 1913, Page 6

Second Edition. WATERSIDER'S STRIKE.

ALL QUIET IN WELLINGTON WATERFRONT. GREAT RUSH OF MOUNTED “SPECIALS.” [Per Press Association.] Wellington, November 3. It was again quiet at the waterfront this morning. Not even the Lyttelton steamer was at the wharf. The -Strike pickets are no longer m charge of the entrance to the wharves. Strikers held a brief meeting this ■ morning and passed resolutions expressing appreciation of the action of the clergv in passing a motion deploring preparations far armed conflict, and urging a peaceful settlement. ' There were not so many strikers in the Post Office Square this morning, the men having been strongly advised not to foregather. There are large numbers of police under Superintendent Ellison,, who states that there has been such a rush for enrolment by mounted specials that he is now sending out telegrams to the police officers in his district stating that no more are required. . Some 700 mminted* were parading and exercising in the vicinity of Mount Cook barracks this morning, and made .ah impressive sight. No announcement has yet been made re progress negotiations. The Pukekai’s crew of 24 has been paid off. MERCHANTS’ SERVICE GUILD DISSATISFIED. OBJECT TO “FREE” LABOR. Wellington, November 3. “At the present juncture shipowners have seen fit to pay off the masters and officers, and if free labor becomes available, they will want them (masters and mates) immediately to work the ships in combination with free ■ labor; This we absolutely- refuse to do . . nor can we reasonably be expected to do jt”—-Thus declared Captain Watson, secretary of the .Merchants’ Service' Guild, to-day. ■V. mcM*.A.;formal. .EesplwtipOj.^Wlhihmoijsly I adopted, ;±hp , terms’of’ arei as follows, has been sent to tho Ship- ! piiig Companies;hy'the Guild; “That, ; as certain'shipowners have* decided tc c pay off I • masters i and officers at the present, juncture, tljo.v-cannot reasonably expect the masters and officers to work their vessels with free labor should it become available.” Ah 1 agreei'neifU'bf hdmffib&fenificance has been consummated by the Merchants’ Service Guild on one hand and the' marine engineers (New Zealand branch only) so far ; as i New

.AjjdilMict ft concerned. These bodies by agreement to support each._other .in any industrial .matlthb

It is stated that at a conference pf .■■the Gj.dJd.aifd.shipowners .last month, the employers declined absolutely to pay the masters' and mates any overtime," the railwaymen loyal. The Post is assured by the Railway Department that the railwaymen are absolutely loyal, and that there is not the slightest possibility of them engaging in the disturbance. The employers- had not completed their deliberations on the men’s offer when they adjourned till 2.30. THE NELSON PRODUCE.

Mr Atmore, on behalf of the Nelson producers, urged on the Premier that Government steamers he put on to bring the produce to market, as the position was very serious for them. Mr Massey replied that the boats would 'first he utilised in the carriage of mails, in the event of emergency. AFFAIRS AT MOTUROA. NEW UNION PROBABLE. The position with regard to the strike of the waterside workers at Motorua has improved, and it is anticipated (states the News) that work at the port will be resumed to-day, either by some of the waterside workers or by free laborers. Plenty of free labor is available if required. On Saturday evening a large proportion of the strikers held a meeting to consider the question of breaking away from the present union and forming a new union under the Arbitration Act, with the object of returning to work.

The small steamer Moa arrived from Tarakohe yesterday afternoon with 100, tons of cement. It is intended that her cargo shall he discharged to-day. If none of the men who are Row on; strike come forward to “work” t !, e Moil,', “free” labor, of which there is- plenty offering, will he used. It is r t. thought that tliere will he the .slightest disturbance if free laborers employed, hut if occasion does arise the Harbor Board will barricade toe wharf, and other protective measures will be adopted. Ibe Harboi i ßoard- has power to swear in special constables.

The town members of the Now Plymouth Harbor Board met late on Saturday afternoon, and, at the request of the public meeting which was bold earlier, decided to telegraph to the various shipping companies, offering the facilities of the port for the working of any vessels, English or Colonial, that may be ordered to the port,

as plenty of free labor is available. THE RARAWA WITHDRAWN. Owing to the difficulty ol obtaining bunker coal, the Northern Steamship Company’s steamer Rarawa has been withdrawn from the Quellunga-New Plymouth service, until further notice. Consequently there is no steamer communication now between New Plymouth and Onehunga. JOTTINGS. Formal notice that in consequence of the strike the agreement with the Moturoa Waterside M orkers’ Union has been cancelled, was given by the shipping companies concerned to tho union’s leaders.

At a meeting of the Now Plymouta Brotherhood yesterday, the following resolution, proopsed by the chairman (the Rev. F. Hales) was carried unanimously:—“‘That this meeting of the New Plymouth Brotherhood exceedingly regrets the present strike ol waterside workers, and the consequent labor troubles, and recommends ah parties interested to resort to conciliation and arbitration as the true principle of friendly settlement, and this Brotherhood pledges itself to do all in its power to bring about an immediate and equitable settlement on the true basis of our Brotherhood.”

FREE LABOR AT MOTUROA

NEW UNION’ TO BE FORMED

Now PtyinPfitrijfNovember 3

The local watersiders held a meeting on the wharf this morning, and after one. and a half hours’ decision resolved to adjourn till 9 a.in. on Wednesday, when they will definitely settle wjiat stand they will take, and consider the question of working inward Taranaki supplies only, if the strike is not then settled. ‘lf it is

settled, work will be immediately resumed. When this decision was announced the crew of the Moa at once commenced to unload 130 tons of cement. At one o’clock a start wil. be made with free labor to discharge 400 tons of coal from the Kittawa from Newcastle.

Ample free labor is available, and steps are being taken by a section of the watersiders to secede and form a now union under the Arbitration Art. W.iU' ■ Later.

No trouble is being experienced with the unloading qf the Moa and Kittawa with free labor at the wharf

■ 1 TI : ,h i :■| r f |.u | ' 1t)00 WAiVaTOS FOR AUCKLAND

Hamilton, "November 3. Succospfn 1 enthusiastic wore held tbe' Waikato* on Satjirdfty ..in yionpoftjop: ,the\ volunteer organising campaign. Over 1000 men enrolled, and these were ordered to mobilise at Hamilton today -and - p roceftl *' by special train this afternoon. A larg‘ quantity of chaff was ordered. Special arrangements are being •mfifF's:'"*’ 2S is-yx- o-—ehstti r ! , _• Wes£pprt r 'November 3. The waterside unionists discharged chaff from the liegulus. The payment for the work will lie devoted to the strike funds. 11--* ** ■ h !, | : . - •• ' ' CONTINGENT FROM CARTERTON. Carterton, November 3. Another contingent of about 150 Wnijfarapa men are leaving for Wellington to-day. ELTHAM ENTHUSIASTIC.

Eltham, November 3

Farmers fear that the shortage ol oil fuel will affect them through lack of power for their milking machines. Fifty-five special constables left here this morning for -Wellington amid enthusiastic scenes. The contingent comprised 45 from Eltham and 10 from Stratford. LATEST FROM LYTTELTON. Lyttelton, November 3. The waterside workers hold a special meeting this morning. They were addressed by Mr J. Thorn, who urged them to stand by their organisation, No resolutions were carried. The pickets had an idle time, as nothing which theyhad decided to bai was brought to the wharves. The greatest anxiety exists regard

ing the 'Outcome of the negotiations for settlement, in Wellington, AUCKLAND STRIKE INCIDENT. Auckland, November 3. The only unusual strike incident ;H Auckland this morning was in connection with the carting of coal from the waterfront by J. J. Craig’s carts. The work was interfered with by strikers, and Craig arriving in a motor car, jumped out, doffed bis coat and commenced shovelling coal. Individuals in the crowd then cut the harness off the horse and Craig desisted driving off amid laughter.

AT THE GREY.

Grevmoutli. November .3

A large majority of the Grey watersiders are on strike to-day, though 4-3 voted against it at a meeting yesterday. The Union’s award is registered under the Act, and does not' expire till the end of January. Members voted with a full .Cognisance of the penalties to which they were liable under the agreement.

I'h?. Paparoa miner*, ceased work to-day. Matters are quiet. The crew of the schponer Lily are loading her with timber. This is the only work

being done on tho wharf. The Blackball miners are no; out. It is understood that they have decided to await a call from the I’(.’deration. i THE HUNTLY TROUBLE. Auckland, November 3. An impression prevailed this morn-1 ing that some announcement would be made of the settlement- of the Hiintly strike, but nothing definite was arranged in consequence of a telegram from Mr Massey, intimating a conference at Wellington in regard to the settlement of the strike, which is affecting the whole Dominion.