AT WELLINGTON.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 62, 13 November 1913, Page 5

AT WELLINGTON.

THE LEADERS. IN CUSTODY. permitted TO SEE visitors. PRISON GUARD DOUBLED. Wellington, November 13. The strike leaders in prison are being kept apart from other prisoners. They will be permitted to see visitors and transact certain business. As the Supreme Court has just held its quarterly session, if committed without bail, they will have to remain in gaol till February. Strict precautions have been taken for their security. The guard has been doubled, and the men carry rifles with waxed ball cartridge and buckshot, and are under orders to use them if necessary. MASS MEETING OF STRIKERS. THE ARRESTED LEADERS. Wellington, November 12. A mass meeting of the watersiders and seamen on strike was held this afternoon in the Opera House. Press representatives were excluded. Mr L. Grover, chairman of the Strike Committee, presided, and subsequently stated that the meeting unanimously adopted a resolution that none of the men on strike would return to work until the employers agreed to the terms asked for ; also that all present pledged themselves not to “scab” on the- men on strike. • Messrs. Payne and Webb, M.P.’s, wrote offering to place their services at the disposal of the Strike Committee for propaganda work. The Rev. R. H. Hobday informed the meeting that the arrested leaders did not desire the strikers to make a demonstration near the gaol, but to keep away from it. If they wanted .to show their loyalty to the cause, they should stand firm by the working class. THE STRIKERS’ STATEMENT. Wellington, November 12. The Strike Committee this afternoon made the following statement to a pressman:— , “In regard to the arrest of members of the executive of the Federation of Labor, the general opinion, not only of the Strike Committee, but of members of the Waterside Workers’ Union, is that this has only been done to try and divide the worker. We recognised that the same course has been adopted in previous strikes, and would again be attempted, and understanding this the waterside workers are determined to' still fight on, well knowing the fact that this is not the movement of a few men but a large body of educated, militant unionists who desire to see an effective change made in the present conditions of the waterside workers. “The arrest of Messrs Semple, - Young, Holland, Fraser and Baily will have no effect whatever as far as we are concerned, as there are men equally able and willing to take their places. Telegrams have been received from all parts of New Zealand encouraging the Committee to still continue in their efforts to organise in which they consider a fit and proper manner, well knowing that if this organisation is brought under the heel of the Arbitration system, which has now resolved itself into a weapon for the employer, they too would bo subjected not only to the present Arbitration 4 Act but to any amendments Mr Massey thought fit to bring down this session. Unionists at present under the Act see that the Government, with the aid of the monopolists of New Zealand art* prepared to so amend the Act as to make it an instrument of oppression for the whole nt the workers of New Zealand, and fliey consider that they are now not only lighting for themselves but also for others in their effort to win this light. Offers have Iveen received from all parts of New Zealand of men well cognisant oi the position to fill any executive office that may require their services. As far as* local union is concerned, not one single member lias joined what is locally known as the “scab” organisation, and the effect of the arrest of the .executive has been to Inrtbcr solidify (hem in their determination.’

THE WATEKSSDERS’ NEW UNION. I I effect upon the building I TRADE. Wellington, November Lk The membership of the new union is now over 400, and to-day a start will be made working the small coastal steamers. No crow has yet been ob rained for the Moana for ’Frisco. The Building Trade Laborers’ Union, which has decided to cease work after 5 p.m. to-day, contains 275 members, many of whom are out of work tin ough the strike already. RIOTERS SENTENCED. Wellington, November 12. At the Magistrate’s Court Robert Hill was charged with assaulting a constable in Taranaki street on November 4th and thereby hitting him with a bottle while arresting another man. Hill was sent to gaol for fourteen days. William Sellars Johnston was charged with assaulting Sergeant Dew by throwing an iron bar at him. Ilm bai missed its mark by inches. Johnston was sentenced to one month’s imprisonment. Archibald Campbell was charged with having taken part in a riot in Taranaki street on November 4, and also with being a rogue and vagabond, armed at night, with felonious intent. When arrested prisoner was* violent. In his possession were found a heavilyloaded lead pipe and half a brick. On the vagrancy charge he was sent to gaol for two months and he was committed for trial on the charge of being concerned in the riot. A number of other persons arrested during tfie recent disorders were remanded to various dates. Peter Mulcahy was fined Cl, in default one month’s imprisonment,for using insulting language to a. picket of specials in Courtenay Place yesterday. UNINTERRUPTED WORK ON THE WHARVES. THE WILLOCHRA AND THE ATHENIC. Wellington, November* 13. Several coastal steamers were worked at the wharves to-day in addition to the deep-sea boats. The carting, of goods to and from the wharves proceeds uninterruptedly, a large number of substitutes taking the places of regular drivers. The Willochra leaves for Sydney to morrow, and the Athenic for London about Tuesday. Colonel Heard gives a Hat contradiction to the statement of Mr Robertson in Parliament that ho gave orders to special constables.