Formation of New Union.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 56, 6 November 1913, Page 5

Formation of New Union.

WAR IN WELLINGTON.

ATTACK ON THE “SPECIALS.

shipping racehorses

Wellington, November 5

About 3 o’clock this afternoon nearly 1000 of the mounted special constables rode from the barracks through the main streets of the city, towards the waterfront. It is understood the muster was connected with the ship-* ping of the racehorses for the south by the Maunganui to-night. There was great excitement as the large body of men, all ■ carrying batons, cantered along, and the reception was a mixed one, though boo-hooing predominated. In some localities stones were thrown, and several of the mounted men were struck while passing through Willis street, one being wounded on the head. Two other were unseated, but - were assisted to remount. The crowd stoned the rearguard all the way up Ghuznee street and at the turn into Willis street the men became somewhat demoralised, and made thr'ee or four charges at the mob. The officers called on the special constables to halt, but the men did not do so until they hacTretaliated to some slight extent. Meanwhile, many people had taken refuge in St. Peter’s Church, where : a service was in progress. As the' second contingent reached the vicinity the Post Office,' in Feather-Ion 1 street, the * ‘cat-calls’ 5 increased, and there was a good deal of stonethrowing. A carter rushed out and struck one of the constable’s horses with his whip. The animal , reared, and the crowd surged i;ound him. Some people in the crowd Started stone-throwing. The mounted men turned their horses and faced the crowd -with drawn batons. There was a lull, and the men wheeled sharply and galloped after the leading contingent, followed by a shouting crowd.

Subsequently the special constables lined all the streets around tlje Railway Wharf, while the racehorses wore loaded on the Maunganui. Several men were badly injured by flying missiles, and more than one charge had to be made by the mounted men to clear roads. Stones continued to fly along Featherston Street, but at the corner where the Railway Department’s offices stand the mob grew more daring. THE DRAWING OF BLOOD. At 3.35 p.m. the “specials” had lined up from the Government Printing Office for a distance of some 15C yards. Those in the rear were frequently pelted with stones, and blood appeared on many of their heads. More daring than the rest, 30 or 40 of the mob chased the rearguard of the mounted men as soon as a move was made in the direction of Lambton Station. .

Suddenly the order “Charge!” rang out. ' Fifty “specials,” beaded by half-a-dozen regular police, wheeled their horses suddenly and galloped, batons poised, for the mob. Blows fell frequently. One man, who had been in the forefront of the stonethrowing section, went down under a baton blow, but rose a minute later and reeled to the pavement. After the first charge some of the mob scuttled for shelter. An idea apparently struck them that they would be able to conduct themselves in the grounds of the Government Buildings, so they rushed the gate in Bunny Street. It was opened, and they charged in inside the grounds. The Government servants, sworn in as special constables, had formed up. They stopped the rush to a certain extent, but some of the mob managed to reach the inside of the fence, and they pelted a volley of bricks and Stones at the rearguard of the specials. A “SPECIAL ” DISABLED.

One of the latter received a very severe blow on the bach of the head. He fell from his horse, and was carried by Government servants into the grounds, bleeding profusely. He was attended to by a medical man. and taken away in the Harbor Board’s ambulance.

The special constables in the Government Buildings grounds, led by the head of a department, then took complete charge of the grounds. The mob was hustled outside, only scrambling over the fence, while others rushed for the gate. Four men were arrested In the grounds for stone-throw-

Under the Arbitration Act. Police and Hob in Conflict. Sore Heads and Limbs. Assistance Promised for Dairy Industry. [Per Press Association.]

ins. and, amidst howls from the mob at the corner, were taken across to the police-station. The excitement was not over, however. The mob closed np towards the horsemen again, and the stones began to fly.

THE MOUNTEDS CHARGE AGAIN.

At 3.40 p.m. the second charge by the mounted men took place. It was caused by the stone-throwing and rioting conduct of the crowd. Blow after blow was received by the “specials” from pieces of wood, bricks and murderous-looking road metal. Almost simultaneously one mounted man was hit on the chin and another on the hack of the neck. From the former man’s face the blood spurted in a stream. It was a Irorrihle sight, and all wondered what would happen next. The chance for the specials came a. moment later. A man, hatless, rushed at a horse with a piece of heavy timber. “Charge!” was the only way left, and the “specials” obeyed with a vengeance. In the second onslaught on the mob baton blows fell with sickening thnhs. The stone-throwers were beaten hack, and there was a. general scamper to safety. In the movement hack on the part of the horsemen, one fellow rushed from the pavement with a piece of timber nearly the size of a railway sleeper, and hurled it between a horse’s legs. The method of assault was in this instance successful. Down went the horse with the “special” underneath, hut, apparently, neither was hurt. The excitement at this stage was intense.

SOME OF THE WOUNDED. One could see men being carried and helped away by their friends with wounds that were-sickly to see. A special constable who had been hit on the head with a stone was carried unconscious into the Government Buildings grounds. He das literally covered with blood, and appeared to he very badly injured. A shuffling old man, finding insufficient shelter from the stones from behind a telegraph post, tried to get along to a safer spot. He was kicked over by the crowd, and fell heavily on the pavement.

A man who had been felled by a baton was carried, screaming with pain, towards the back of the crowd, where he was attended to by ambulance officers.

After this second charge there was a lull for a few minutes, during which some of the mob gathered more stones and the “specials” took breath.

Smash! Smash! went the stones again, hurled with all the throwers’ force, aimed high, as if for the “specials’ ” heads. “PICK YOUR MAN!” An officer went among the mounted men. “Next time, boys, charge steadily, and pick your man!” he was heard to say. This was in the circumstances an order that was jutified, for the stones fairly showered upon the mounted rearguard. 'The daring spirits in the mo!) closed up again, and hurled missiles of all descriptions at the “specials.”

Then came the third charge, led, as in the case of the first, ; by the mounted regulars. Smash went the batons. Thud went the stones. It was the hottest scene of the afternoon. From the roof of the Telephone Exchange, to which a bunch of stonethrowers had climbed, came a shower of ugly road metal. From here, too, came the vilest epithets shouted by many hoarse throats, hurled at the

mounted men. j After this charge were more broken heads and more bruises] but, fortu- 1 nately, nothing so severe as in the previous ten minutes. The mounted] men, however, went light round the' coiner, chasing the mob past the back of the Supreme Court into the quay, batoning here and batoning there with all their might. After this charge the “specials” returned to the rear of the main, body,' but, as they were doing so, another] shower of stones was thrown from the' Telephone Exchange corner, where ( wild hoots and curses were coming' fi'om a bunch of about (JO men. Some of the “specials” received nasty blows. One was hit in the hack, and, after sticking to his horse for a few minutes, became physically sick and had to he carried away. One of the mounteds, hatless, head down, was hastening to join the main body, when a stone struck his wrist. He marked the man who threw it, and after him he went. The miscreant, amidst loud yells, was lost in the crowd, but no more stones wore hurled at (hat mounted man. He had shou r -

STATE INTERVENTION.

ed that he was game. There was quiet after this. The mob thinned and gradually took themselves oil to Waterloo Quay., where Mr Semple, of the Federation of Labor Executive, was advising the | crowd to go home. A DASTARDLY ACT. One of the most dastardly acts of violence occurred during the first charge, opposite the Railway Department’s offices, when there was a danger of the moh rushing the Government Buildings grounds. A Civil servant named Dowsing, a middle-aged man, ran from inside the grounds to shut the wooden gates in Bunny Street. Ho was just in the act of shooting the bolts when a hooligan leaned over the gate and bashed a stone the size o 7 a man’s fist on to the top of Dowsing’s head. The latter was felled. Although the wound was a. nasty one, ho recovered consciousness a few minutes later, and he was able to go home.

Altogether 1G “specials” received injuries, requiring immediate treatment hy ambulance men, while it is believed that many more received minor hurts, and a good many among the crowd suffered more or less. A LIST OF THE MORE SERIOUSLY INJURED. Half the casualties of the afternoon’s affray will never be known. There were so many minor injuries from stones and broken bottles on the one hand, and from batons and horses’ heels on the other, that the list would ho a long one. Of the more seriously wounded, however, the following is as accurate a list as was obtainable last night:— A resident of Elthara, about 30 years of age, a special constable, was struck on the head by a stone which inflicted a nasty gash and a hruiso. He was progressing favorably last night.

A young farmer of Featherstou, 26 years old, a special constable, was struck' on the head by a piece of wood with nails projecting and rendered unconscious, but recovered last night and is now progressing favorably. W. St. George Dowsing, clerk in the Income Tax department, 50 years of age, was struck on the head with a stone at close quarters and taken to his home where he is recovering.

Frank Mussen, a wharf laborer, about 30 years of age, was rendered unconscious by a baton blow, and is now progressing favorably at his home in Tory street. Mussen was one of the men who was slightly injured through a kick by a horse during the Post Office Square charge on Thursday last.

Three men whose names are said to he Kave, Hnlbert and Herbert, occupations and addresses, noj- known, were injured by baton blows.

Twenty special constables were treated in the hospital to-night by Dr. Tolhnrst.

PROPOSAL BY SIR JOSEPH WARD

Wellington, November 5

In the House of Representatives this afternoon Sir Joseph .Ward asked if the Prime Minister could inform the House what had been dona in the direction of effecting a settlement of the present industrial trouble. Hon. W. F. Massey replied that there was nothing new to ■ disclose. Members of the House know that yesterday's conference was abortive. Since then nothing had happened that ho could communicate.

Sir Joseph Ward stated that as the parties’ conference had failed to come to a settlement the time had arrived when Parliament should step in and settle the dispute. The conditions were such that they should ho boldly grappled with. He was always on the side of law and order, which should he maintained and peace restored. He was desirous of co-operating with the Government to bring about a settlement, and to open the ports of the Dominion. He suggested setting up a committee composed of six members from both sides of the House, and presided over by the Speaker, to decide whether legislation was necessary to compel a settlement and if so, on what lines it should be. A special court of arbitration, possessing plenary powers, should be set up to consider whether it was necessary to intervene and enforce peace. If that were done, the House, without taking sides, could compel a settlement bypassing special legislation. The State should intervene and itself undertake the shipping and the handling of cargo pending a settlement.

Mr Massey said be would be glad to take Sir Joseph Ward’s suggestion into consideration later on. The Cabinet had that morning discussed the possibilities of introducing legislation with a view to terminating the trouble hut he could say no more. Just then Mr P. C. Webb rose to addi ess the House on behalf of those men who were out of work, hut he was stopped by the Speaker.

REPORT OF NEW UNION BEING FORMED. SEAMEN WILL DO GAOL. Wellington, November R. It is reported on good authority that a emon liar; been formed among the Watersiders, and that its membership is already nearly WO. Slops have been, taken to register the union under the Arbitration Act.

Speaking at a meeting at Newtown Bark, Mr Young, Secretary of the Seamen’s Union, declared that even >f the steamer A theme was loaded she would never get out, because the members of the crew, though working on Homo articles, were prepared to do a monlbs imprisonment rather than lake her out.

GETTING TO WORK. ARBITRATION!ST LABOUR IN WELLINGTON. Mr W. H. H. Young this morning received tho following message from a Wellington merchant: “Athenio start's work to-day with Arhitrationist Labour registered under the Act. Hope soon to see our Port in full swing again.” WHO WAS TO BLAME? STRIKE COMMITTEE’S VIEWS. Wellington, November <l. There was no attempt this morning to bring the Athcnic alongside. It is understood that the authorities are waiting the completion of the formalities for the formation and registration of the new union under the Arbitration Act,

An Italian fisherman this morning distributed a big catch of fish free to strikers.

The Strike Committee, in Hie course of an official statement regarding yesterday’s rioting, said that the most of the demonstrations were against the specials and came from the general public. The Committee claimed credit for preventing many of the public attacking the constables on the way back to the barracks. The playing of the watersiders’ band also drew attention from the specials. But for their intervention there would have been slaughter. The Committee also adds that they were informed by a number of specials that they had been brought to Wellington under false pretences, statements having been made that their produce was being thrown into the harbor and that the presidents were being garroted and terrorised. AT AUCKLAND. STRIKE PICKETS GN “BUSINESS" THE TRAiVUVAYMEM’S DECISION. Auckland, November 5. Matters around tiie waterfront were absolutely devoid cf incident to-day. A few arriving vessels anchored in the stream, and again there was no attempt to work either outward or in-ward-hound cargo.

The strike leader' called for a parade of ex-service men from amongst the waterside workers this morning. About 2U responded, and the little squad was put through a series o. movements in Quay Street, and instructed in offensive and defensive taCtiCS.

There are now dO vessels in the stream, do stumers and live sailers. In the holds of, the vessels are 20 r <lU>toils of genqraj consigned to business firms in the city. In addition; a number of steamers , from oversea ports have aboard a lot ol cargo for Southern ports. Before racing commenced at Ellcrslio to-day there M as a persistent rumor that the strikers would prevent certain horses from starting. Ihimovning pickets visited the residence.of hoj^,.engaged to ride the .animals in question, but after the position had been pointed out to them that unde, the rules of racing it was compulsory for the hoys to fulfil engagements, the leader of the’pickets gave his assurance that no attempt would he made to prevent the horses from mo-

The Northern Company’s steaniei Riniu arrived at Onehunga tliis morning from Hokiahga, bringing passeng ei's and cargo, the latter of which comprised 800 boxes ot butter, six hales of wool, and a quantity of general merchandise. She was unloaded by the vessel’s crew without any interference from the strike pickets. Everything was quiet on the Onehuriga wharf to-day. The tramwaymeu have definitely decided to cease work when the special police appear on the waterfront or free labor is used to handle goods. Sympathetic resolutions were passed by the timber workers. The executive committee of the Butchers’ Union, the Central branch of the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners, and the local branch of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers.

At a meeting of the Auckland and Suburban Local Bodies’ Association, attended by kfi delegates (representing 1(3 local bodies), last evening, matters relative to the existing trouble were considered, and a series of resolutions was unanimously passed advocating firm measures for the protection of the public interests, and suggesting legislation for coping with similar industrial upheavals in future. Ihe possibility of trouble as a result oi the assembling of bodies of territorials under arms at the present crisis has resulted in the cancelling of all parades.

THE OTAHUHU ENCAMPMENT

Auckland, November d

I 1 ally eight hundred men, drawn I rom the farming districts south of Auckland, wore assembled during today in an encampment at Otahuhn. The principal detachments travelled hy train from Hamilton and reached their destination early in the morning, with the result that hy 9.30 a.m. dll nil'll and horses were established in camp.

POSITION IN THE NORTH.

W hangarei, November G

Twenty-live specials have started for Auckland on horseback, ft is expected they will he augumented to 100 en route. All steam services tiro stopped. Fleur and sugar tut' almost exhausted. The stoppage of the sea mail-; h causing great inconvenience.

THF. MAORI HELD UP.

AT DUNEDIN.

MR BELCHER’S STOKERS

OH THE WEST COAST.

AT LYTTELTON. NOTHING FRESH. Christchurch, November o. The sixth day of the strike at Lyttelton was characterised by the sarao deadly dullness. Six idle colliers arc still swinging at anchor. The waterfront is practically deserted, the only break in the monotony of the scene being the ferry steamer Maori, which was the centre of activity. r lhe Maori arrived from Wellington and berthed at the Ferry Wharf at 7 o’clock, and disembarked her passengers as usual. Only a few pickets were in attendance to watch the landing of the mails and luggage, which were handled in the usual manner, and the train was despatched to Christchurch at the usual hour.

At a. meeting of watersiders this morning the following resolution had been carried unanimously;—“That this meeting of the Lytetlton watersiders, seeing that the employers have declared hostilities upon the organised industrial working class movement by their rejection of the eminently reasonable proposals of the T'nited Federation of Labor, on strike, decides to loyally support the orders of the officials controlling the strike.”

Statements are in circulation locally that the Territorials and specially mounted men are to he used in the event of trouble arising. It is understood that there is no foundation for t’ue statement.

Christchurch, November 5. Seven of the firemen on the Maori gave notice at "Wellington yesterday. One withdrew his notice when the ship arrived at Lyttelton to-day, hut the other six were paid off. One new man was engaged locally and five were booked in Dunedin and came up by the second express. They were got on board, but, influenced by the mob, came ashore one by one, each man being loudly cheered as he came down •the gangway. The Maori’s firemen emphatically stated that they would not sail without a full complement. At 11.30 tile Maori was still at the wharf.

Dunedin, November 5,

lt is officially stated hy Mr Belcher that a request was made to fill the positions of seven firemen - who were leaving the Maori at Lyttelton yesterday. Successful efforts were made' in Dunedin to secure the number required, and the men went forward by train to-day to join the Maori -.t Lyttelton for the run to Wellington.

CREYMOUTH ANO HOKITIKA. Hokitika, November ;5. The S.S. Kairaki arrived at Gre.ym.outh on Sunday with about 100 tons of general cargo for that port, and (JO tons for Hokitika'. The Greymonth waterside workers refused to allow her to he discharged or loaded there. The ■vairaki left Grevmouth for Hokitika shortly before noon, and the cargo was discharged immediately on artrival. The Kairaki has commenced to load two hundred thousand feet of sawn timber for the east coast, and it is expected that she will finish loading and sail to-morrow. The Defender which also loaded at this port, sailed last night for Lyttelton, plenty of labor being available for discharging and unloading this steamer. THE GOAL MINERS. ureymouth, November 5. All coalminers in the Grey district are now out. Matters are quiet at Westport. The Seddonville miners passed the usual resolution not to resume work until the Wellington and Huntlv disputes are settled.

WORK IN TIMARU. Tim am, November o. The port promises to he busy. The IFanurewa (a barque) arrived to-day from Clarence River, with rails ;md beams for the break-wafer extension, ami is staying. Ihe Ngaliere arrived with a load of Grey coal. The Storm is here, and the John is due to-mor-row to load lor Wanganui, mul the Petone lor Napier and Gisborne. The Waitemata will go to Newcastle tomorrow.

VIEWED FROM AUSTRALIA. “TYPICAL METHODS OF THE FEDERATION.” [By Flectrio Telegraph—Copyright] [United Press Association.] (.Received 9.30 a.m.) Sydney, November G. The decision not to work New Zealand steamers was readied tit a meeting of the wharf laborers’ union

" I'icli was held with dosed doors. The secretary of the Now South Wales branch of the Labor Federation ol A us t rti lasiu states that the situation will he reviewed at a meeting of the executive' on Saturday, at which there will he delegates to represent tin' Sydney, northern, southern, and western coal fields and Victoria. While the federation is desirous to avoid an extension of the trouble, it would speak in no uncertain voice. For one thing, there would he no backing down on the resolution carried at the recent conference not to handle any “black” cargo. This would apply more purlicnlar]v to members of the Amalgamated Railway and

Tramway Association, one of ten big organisations within tho Federation.

The Sydney Morning Herald says the New Zealand strike is typical of the extraordinary futility of the method which a certain section of Socialists, whenever they obtain control, attempt to apply as a remedy to any grievances the workers possess, or as a means to any particular end they wish to attain. They have already produced a hold-up of the whole export trade of both Islands, got the country inarching upon the towns, caused riots not without some bloodshed. and now apparently have succeeded in affecting Australia also. I\e trust Australian workers will take a thorough note of the methods of the federation.

EFFORTS AT CONCILIATION. TO PREVENT A CRISIS. (Received 10.20 a.m.) Sydney, November G. For some days, the Department of Labor has been in close' touch with the leaders of the Labor TTiions with a view to the possible prevention of a crisis in Sydney through the New Zealand strike. Conciliation officers are making inquiry pursuant to possible developments. Similar steps were taken during the Brisbane strike, the outcome being that,pertain labor organisations agreed that they should be regarded as a domestic office if the members ceased work on or boycotted any vessel in New South Wales out of sympathy with the Brisbane strikers. THE DAIRY INDUSTRY. THE COMING PAY DAY. For some time the question of finance, owing to strike disorganisation af shipments of butter and cheese, has been causing the Directors of Dairy Companies anxiety, while suppliers were also in a state of uncertainty as to what might or might not happen on the coming pay day—Nov. 20th. To-day, however, the matter was set at rest to an extent by the Head Office of the National Bank notifying its Stratford Manager that so far as the Companies doing business with this branch, of the Bank are concerned there will bs no difficulty about the next monthly pa yin cut. IHOTTINQ&. The situation with regard to matters locally in fast becoming acute, says the Patea Press. The Grading B erks are practically full of cheese and notice has been sent to the various dairy companies to hold as much as they can at the factories, and wc understand some have arranged .storage for a fortnight and others for a month.

In connection with the shipping of the stranded “Cup” horses from 'Wellington, it appears that the president telegraphed to the executive of the strike committee at Lyttelton instructing it to take steps to insure that the horses were landed there without 'molestation. Thirty-two horses were !shipped on the Maiulganui..towards the end of,the afternoon. A special train !brought them into Lambton Station, land the boxes were shunted on to the

j railway wharf, alongside which the •steamer was berthed. After the horjses were loaded the vessel went out iinto the harbor and the crowds about ,the adjacent streets, evidently thinking that she had left for Lyttelton, (dispersed. Then she came in to the 'Queen’s Wharf, and shipped her passengers and mails before the crowd realised the ruse, and she then got I away. Private advice received in Stratford states that in the fracas in Wellington yesterday amongst those injured ■was Mr V. Crawshaw, of Stratford, |who was slightly hurt, and Mr C. A. Ford, of Eltham, who, it is stated, was rather seriously injured. No i further oarticulars are available.

The oulv article of which there was

|any danger of a shortage in the town ! was sugar, says the Waitara corre--1 spondeut of the New Plymouth Herald under yesterday’s date. The Claymore, which arrived here yesterday afternoon, discharged -fOd wwgs, so | t!iat the town may be presumed to be j well supplied again. It is rumored that a couple of men who are usually employed in unloading the Claymore, did not think fit to do so on this occasion, to nobody’s loss unless it was there own. Mr ('. A. ’Wilkinson, M.P., telegraphed to Mr W. J. Crawshaw, Stratford, this morning: The Eltham and Stratford contingent had quite a lot of fighting yesterday, our men

, l>oarin<i - the hulk of the attack. \ onion was hit on the hack, hut is all right inow. Tiio strikers arc weaker daily. Somebody who had very little to do and somebody who was equally foolish

to suppose for one moment that such a .statement was true or likely, are

the cause ami outcome of the following incident; ft being stated in Strutfold yesterday that the I niuu S.S. Co. was largely responsible for the strike and that Sir .Joseph Ward was a large shareholder, the executive of the Liberal League telegraphed to Sir Joseph Ward on the mutter and received the following reply:—‘l am not and never have been a shareholder of the Lnion Company nor lias anyone connected with me ever been a shareholder in that company. The rumor you refer to therefore may he added to the list of the other utterly false and groundless statements invented and circulated by those who have no regard for truth and fairness in political warfare,—J. G. Ward.”

The strike is affecting the pork industry, and in this issue Messrs W. Dimock and Co. announce that until further notice they cannot fake delivery of pigs,