THE STRIKE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 10 November 1913, Page 6

THE STRIKE.

Slit J All ES HILLS INTERVI EWE!).

ATTITUDE OF SEAM lON'S UNION

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON. Last Night.

Sir James Mills, in the course of an j interview, referred to the statements of Federation ol' .Lahour ol'l icials. He reviewed the events leading to the strike, and said it was clear the trouble did not arise from a lock-out, Init from tho del.'J.)en>ce withdrawal of labour by the Union Executive. , ' Inducement was offered to the shipping companies to enter into an agreement under the- auspices of tho Federation of Labour. Tho Federation instead of persuading tho local workers to return to work, o*r as an alternative, confining tho strike to Wellington, had extended the area ol tho trouble and had done its best to paralyse trade and injure large bodies of workers. Under the circumstances, it was not surprising thajjt tho employers were not prepared to accept tlio guarantee of the Federation again. The statement that an attempt was being made to crush unionism was absurd, and was merely.the revival of tho old cry. The employers preferred to deal with organised workers. Sir James Mills added that he hoped it would be possible to resume tho many sendees at a very early date, and there was reason to believe that a number of the Union Company's seamen and firemen will abide, by the current agreement. Sir ■ James Mills publicly acknowledged .'his gratification at their .spontaneous assurance of loyalty. It is unofficially stated that the j Seamen's Conference decided that all members givo 24 hours' notice forthwith. The crew of the Willochra is awaiting instructions from its union in Sydney.

CITIZENS' DEFENCE LEAGUE,

NO DECLARATION OF POLICY

, WELLINGTON. Last NightNo policy declaration was made by the Citizens' Defence; League at the conclusion of a meeting on Saturday morning, in regard to the basis of settlement put forward by the farmers and Conciliation Commissioner. It is understood, however, that the employers will not depart from the position already taken up, that any agreement. must be -with the unions registered under the Arbitration Act.

PROPOSALS REJECTED,

STATEMENT BY DEFENCE COMMITTEE.

WELLINGTON, Last Night. The Citizens' Defence Committee on Saturday rejected the new conditions submitted, with the consent of the watersiders, through Mr Massey. These proposed that a new agreement be. entered into, to be enforcible under the Trades Union Act in the Magistrate's Court, that the union be protected by legislation prohibiting the registration of a union when a similar union exists under the Trades Union Act. The committee pointed out that a new union was now being farmed and duly registered and no further negotiations would bo entered into with any other organisation.

NAPIER WATERSIDERS

SYMPATHY, BUT NO ACTION.

NAPIER, Last Night. , The railway workers passed a resolution of sympathy with the waterside workers and other labour unions in their fight for justice and rights! and unionism. Collections fro being made 011 .behalf of the 'wives and children of strikers.

Notwithstanding the proclamation of Timaru as a "scab" port, tho local watersiders show no disposition to join folrces with the Wellington strikers.

OFFENDERS BEFORE THE COURT.

FINES IMPOSED

WELLINGTON, Lwft Night. Before Mr Riddell, S.M., John Harrison, charged with being idle and disorderly and using threatening behaviour, was sentenced tu three nonths on one charge, and fined 40s or 7 days on "the second. " Ho had previous convictions for assaults and robbery and other offences. The accused was found in' Lambtoli Quay on Thursday, with a lump of concrete in his possesion, and shouting that Jie would knock somebody's brains out. Peter Quin, charged with using indecent language, w-itlv intent to provoke a," broach of the peace, was fined £5 dv 21 days. He was calling out "scab" when arrested. William Parker, for threatening behaviour on King's wharf, was fined £5 or a month's imprisonment. Special constables stated that Parker declared he would not move while "scabs" were about, and resisted arrest. The accused declared that the story was an -absolute lie. On n charge, (if using obscene lang-

uago wliilo in the centre of a crowd including children, "Walter Watson was fined £3 in default 21 days imprisonment. Two trannvaymen wero also charged. One Albert Newson wa« charged with unlawful assault, and John Patton with driving a tro-m-car into a person on horseback. Both were remanded on bail.