POSITION AT AUCKLAND.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 6 November 1913, Page 5

POSITION AT AUCKLAND.

A SERIOUS OUTLOOK. DEPUTATION TO~THE MAYOR. ARRIVAL OF SPECIAL CON-' * ■.as-,/...; , ' stables.;'-; :; ..:-y;. ,:..'•■ ■' ■ ■ ;AUCELAKD;. Last NigntY A' ; The in regard to •• tho strike 13 daily becoming more ; serious. An endeavour was made this morning to bring about a continuation of the local negotiations in the direction of a peaceful settlemeut of th*

Auckland and Huntly strikes. A deputation of representative citizens and members of the Strike Committee waited upon the Mayor with a request that no special constables should be brought into the city pending a further attempt to bring about a peaceful settlement. The Mayor's reply was to the effect that he would do his best to preserve a trace till Friday. On the waterfront, matters continue to be very quiet. In the meantime the Citizens' Defence Committee is proceeding apace with the arrangements in providing adequate protection for property in the city. Nearly 1000 special constables have been sworn in at the Magistrate's Court and at Westfield, oh the Agricultural Association grounds, there are 520 mounted special constables now under canvas. These men, with horses, arrived at Westfield by special train from the Waikato early this imoiming. It is significant that just as the first special was ready to leave Frankton at 10 o'clock, it was discovered that eighteen Westinghouse brake couplings had been skilfully cut. It took two hours to rectify the damage. Further contingents of mounted men are expected to arrive at the Westfield camp to-night. The position which the tramwaymen have taken tip has been clearly set forth by a full meeting of members of the Union, held yesterday evening and this morning. The men have resolved to cease to work the .trams when free laboiur is introduced on the waterfront. It is understood, howeveT, that in any case, the coal supplies at the tramway power-house will not enable work to be carried on after about Friday.