THE WATERSIDERS' STRIKE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 31 October 1913, Page 5

THE WATERSIDERS' STRIKE.

MOB STONE THE POLICE.

(By Ttmasb'—Prw duociation.J

WELLINGTON, Last Night. The most exciting strike incident during the day was an assault by the crowd on a squad of special constables, who were camped at the Post Office stores in Waterloo Quay. - A meeting was in progress in Poat Office Square, when a messenger arrived, the assembled strikers and curious onlookers rushed to the reclaimed land, where the special constables were mounted; Constables appeared on the scene to protect the specials. The mob stoned the police, some of {jfrhom were cut about the head. The specials, being hopelessly outnumbered, beat a retreat. Short! v afterwards, the bluejackets on H.M-3. Psyche were paraded with rifles, and fixed bayonets. Merchants and other business men met to-day co consider the situation, but tho business of the meeting was not disclosed. The Shipowners' Committee also met, but nothing was communicated to the press. ■ In the meantime, the Watersiders Strike Committee is in session, but the Federation of Labour has now taken charge, of the strike. Speeches continue in the Square, where a crowd is always to be relied upon, except when there is a diversion, like that ctf the attack on the special constables. Mounted men patrol the streets from Waterloo Quay to Jervois Quay. So far as can be ascertained, no arrests have been made that can be directly attributed to the strike or strikers. Pickets have complete cdntrol of the wharves, so far as the passage of goods is concerned, and if they suspect merchandise masquerading as jrersonal effects, it is turned back.

AN EXCITING INCIDENT.

PICKETS STILL HOLD THE WHARVES