THE STRIKE.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 November 1922, Page 5

THE STRIKE.

ABUNDANT LABOR, SHIPS WORKING. NO INTERFERENCE. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. Free labor to man the ships is abundant. The following vessels are announced to leave Wellington to-morrow: Kapuni and Hawera, for Patea; Kapiti and Invercargill, for Wanganui; Wairau, for Blenheim; Rama, for Dunedin; Ngahere, for Greymouth; Nikau, for Nelson; Ripple, for Napier and Gisborne. Sailings on Saturday will be: Wainui, for Picton; Alexander, for Nelson; Echo, for Blenheim; Opua, for Greymouth. The Wainui sailed to-day for Picton. The Harbor Board is isolating Queen’s wharf with temporary high barriers, to prevent any interference with the working of shipping in case trouble arises. Present indications are that the seamen are not disposed to interfere in any way. They are keeping away from the waterfront, though they intend picketing the labor-en-rolling office. POSITION AT AUCKLAND. NO LABOR ON WHARVES. ACTION NOT EXPLAINED. By Telegraph.—Press -Association. Auckland, Last Night. There was a good response to-day to the call for manning vessels, and consequently the Union Company decided to send the Navua to the Western. Pacific with muchneeded stores and to pick up fruit. The watersiders bunkered her from ten o’clock until mid-day, but did not turn up after lunch. No labor was offering for cargo operations either for the Navua or the Northern Company’s boats, the permanent staff of the latter continuing the loading. When asked why there was no response to the call, the president of the Waterside Workers’ Union stated the company had a permanent staff, and probably the members of the union did not wish to get mixed up in trouble. So far there had been no decision of the union not to work these vessels.

It was intended to despatch the ,Navua on Saturday, but it is doubtful if this can be done. Merchants have been warned not to send cargo to her. All vessels loading or discharging Home cargft are being worked, as is also the Glaucus, which is taking in cargo for Sydney.

SERVICES RESUMING. PLENTY OF FREE LABOR. STRIKERS ANGRY WITH VOLUNTEERS Wellington, Last Night. The intention of the seamen and firemen to try to hold up the shipping service of the country still appears to be as determined as ever, but the only marked feature of the situation is that crews are being found for various vessels, and the probabilities are that before very long the sea transport service will be in full swing again. No indication is yet forthcoming as'to the attitude of the Seamen’s Union to the situation which is now developing, but there appears to be some resentment at the action of the men who are volunteering for positions on ships. Mr. W. T. Young, secretary of the union, refuses to be drawn in any way, and still declines to make any public statement. Another meeting is called for to-morrow. The policy of silence which the seamen’s officials are adopting could scarcely be better preserved, but there seems to be a feeling that the union is, Micawberlike, waiting for something to turn up. The impression appears to be that if there is to be any great change in the general industrial situation it. cannot be much longer delayed. Much may depend upon any support which the seamen receive from the watersiders. At Napier, the watersiders have refused to handle cargo for the boats manned by free labor, but no trouble has been experienced in this direction in Wellington. No official advice has been received by the headquarters of the Waterside Workers’ Federation regarding the position at Napier, and it would appear that the Napier men have acted purely on their own account.