AT AUCKLAND.

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

AT AUCKLAND.

INTERESTING DEVELOPMENTS. LANDING OF FRUIT. AUCKLAND, Last N'-<ht. There were interesting d ilopments in connection with the • ' rike on the Auckland water-front I.< lay. This morning a scheme was si essfully carried out for the dischai ; .■•••> of the perishable cargo, consisting i. ain-

ly of fruit, brought by the Tofua from the Islands. A barricade was erected from the full length of the Queen's wharf, and the crowd was kept back by a large squad of police, mounted and afoot. It was a coincidence that "Jack Tars" from the Pyramus, armed with rifles, were at the same time parading within the barricades. The Harbour Board's fire tug was also tied up to the wharf, with hose apparatus all ready for immediate use. The strikers were apparently nonplussed. At anyrate, there was no movement on their part. The work of unloading the fruit from the Tofua was carried out by free labour, without any interference. At a meeting of the strike executive, it was decided that not only •should the landing of fruit cargo be allowed to proceed from the Tofua, but also no objection would be offered to fruit being actually carted off the wharf. Various incidents of interest occurred about the water-front during the morning, but the crowd, generally speaking, was very well behaved. A midday mass meeting was held. One speaker declared that there were chances in favour of one of the biggest strikes the country had known. In referring to the fact that the police were being armed with batons, the Federation organiser urged the strikers to manufacture their own batons, and so be in a position to defend their lives, if need be. At Onehunga the position is still interesting. Tho majority of the men refused to start work, and of eighteen who did turn to, a dozen were prevailed upon to leave the ships before the day was over.