AT CHRISTCHURCH.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 13 November 1913, Page 5

AT CHRISTCHURCH.

THE STRIKERS DESPONDENT,

GENERAL STRIKE DISAPPROVED.

CHRISTCHURCH, Last Night,

The morning of the thirteenth day of the strike was a repetition of the wearying dullness which has settled on the port of Lyttelton. Discussions of the situation were made the sole topic of conversation amongst groups of dejected-looking watersiders. The startling news of the arrest of Semple, Holland, Bailey and Fraser added spice to the discussions, and outside of the strikeiis' 'ranks general satisfaction was expressed. What the strikers themselves thought could not be ascertained, as none of them were prepared to openly express their views to outsiders. There seemed little doubt, however, that many of them were profoundly impressed by the step taken. The manifestoes issued from day to day by the strike committee have been designed to show that the men aro hopeful and determined, but they are scarcely borne out by personal observation.

A meeting was held this morning in the Coronation Hall, when there was a fairly large attendance. An address was given by J. P. Fletcher, an anti-militarist, who went through to Lyttelton by a later train. It was noticeable that many of the men, when they left the hall to go to their homes, looked anything but hopeful. They walked silently across the railway" yard and up the streets, and all wore a serious and thoughtful air. Continued idleness and the depressing (to strikers) news of the re-opening of the ports and the occupation of the waterside workers' places by a fresh union of labour, is having its effect.

There were nine idle ships in the stream to-day, and inside the breakwater the port presented a sad sight. Two or three little coasters and a fleet of coal hulks were all that occupied the berths at the wharves. The only vessel due was the ferry steamer Mapourika, which, manned under the same conditions as the Pateena, left Wellington at 8.5 o'clock last night. 'The steamer Northern, from New York, which was held up at Wellington since tlie beginning of the strike, but finally discharged her Wellington cargo,- is to sail fronl that port today for Lyttelton. On her arirval to-morrow, she will anchor in the stream.

It is understood that arrangements have been made to erect barricades on all the wharves at the port, and that work is to be started in the discharging of steamers on Monday morning next. : On Monday the Christchurch Strike Committee received from P. Hickey, secretary of the United Federation of Labour, a telegram asking if Christchurch would follow other centres in declaring a general strike. Yesterday the secretary o! the committee (W. E. Woodham) sent the following telegram in reply To Mr Hickey's inquiry: "It would be an absolute calamity to have a general strike in Christchurch. before an attempt is made to introduce specfal police and 'scabs' in this district."

Active operations in connection with the Strike Committee's receiving and distributing store in Manchester street had not commenced this morning, some formalities in connection with the renting of the premises not having been completed. At the ordinary general meeting of the General Labourers' Union, held last night, it was decided to make a levy of 5 per cent on the wages of members of the union in employment for the purpose of assisting to relieve those who may be out of work on account of the strike.