THE WATERSIDERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 February 1917, Page 4

THE WATERSIDERS.

CONCILIATION 'PROCEEDINGS.

By Telegraph.—Presi A'»oc!atlon.

Wellington, Februry 13. The position at the waterfront to-day is much the same as yesterday. The Wanganui boats are being worked, but the Victoria, from Napier, is still idle, as the men declined to unload her. Most of the other vessels are hung up. The waterside workers' dispute isi before the Conciliation (\mmiHsioiier today. When the assessors appointed for the union by the Commissioner, Mr. Hoggcr, were in attendance, Mr. (Hover, one of the union's assessors, stated that conciliation procedure was entirely new to his side, and asked questions relating to the course the proceedings would take. He said that before they could proceed with the dispute time was required in which to consult other unions and the executive of the local union.

Mr. Pryor, employers' agent, agreed to this, and Mr. Hogger adjourned the proceedings until Friday week at ,7i p.m.

Mr. Flavell, one of the employers' asn sessors: "We assume work will be car* ried on in the meantime."

Mr. Glover: ''l will do nothing to stop it."

THE POSITION AT NAPIER. Napier, Last Night. The Hon. W. D. S. MaeDonald presided over a meeting of waterside work" ers mid employers to-day, which was held in committee. Tho Minister is endeavoring to bring the parties together to effect a settlement, but so tut, without success. To-night the waterside leaders and Mr. J. Roberts (secretary of the Federation of Labor) addressed a crowded meeting in the Municipal Theatre. Tho Arbitration Court was blamed for the whole trouble, as the .members of tho Court were not acquainted with waterside conditions. A resolution was passed, deploring the strike, and urging the Government to" bring the parties to« gethci in conference. Free labor is loading one Home lines in tho Kay, and unloading another. Coastal shipping has practically ceaßed, and some ships are laid up. The employers' representative stated late tonight that there was a probability of the dispute being settled, and the men resuming work in the morning. GISBOkNK ISOLATED. Gisborne, Feb. 19. The town is completely isolated in com sentence of the shipping disorganisation. No southern mails have been received for several days, and there is no prospect of any unless the steamers run. A largo number of men assembled today for medical examination, but tho medical board were unable to get here. Tho Hoard left Napier by motor-car this morning, but rain having set in, were unable to get through. The Appeal Board are also due from Wairoa, but were unable to get here. Merchants report a shortage of flour, sugar, and potatoes. There is some prospect of the bread supply ceasing in a. few days unless the steamers resume A COALMINING TROUBLE. RESTRICTING THE OUTPUT, Westport, Last Night. Owing to the alleged refusal of t!ie coal-owners to meet the Miners' Federation in conference, it is understood that the miners at Denniston have determined to Restrict the. out\ut of coal ffonA that mine, and are limiting their earn- \ ings to 12s per day. From inquiries \ made, it is learned that the Westport Coal Companay has had no request for a conference from . either the Miners' Federation or the District Unions; also, tho Westport Conl Company is not a member of the Coal o\vners''Association. It is said that tho Granity Miners' Union, at a meeting on Monday night, , decided by a large majority not to restrict the output at the Millerton mine,