THE AUCKLAND POSITION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 14 November 1913, Page 5

THE AUCKLAND POSITION.

HUNDREDS RETURNING TO WORK.

STRIKE COMMITTEE MALNTAINS A BOLD FRONT.

EVERYTHING QUIET AND • ORDERLY.

AUCKLAND, Last Night. Sixteen days have elapsed sinco the Auckland waterside workers went on strike.

The strike leaders declare that they are as convinced to-day as ttiey were in the beginning that the present industrial conflict is going to result in a win for the unions. On the other hand, those anxious lor peace are more hopeful to-day of the trouble coining to an end than has been the case eince the strike started. This opinion is based on the fact that over 400 men are now working on the waterfront. Numerous vessels have been loaded, and have sailed. One hundred carts are conveying cargo to and Trom the wharf, and workers belonging to various unions resumed work this morning.

Amongst those who have gone back to work are 40 carpenters on the Exhibition buildings, 300 on the "Wonderland Park, 400 out. of 500 general labourers in the employ of the' City Council, a dozen or more; of the permanent staff of the. Mount Eden Borough Council, a handful of drivers, and a fair number of builders' employees -in the suburbs. The strike leaders at the Trades Hall declined, however, to admit that there is the slightest sign of weakening. They assert that the strikers are determined to* see the strike through, and that the seamen are united in their decision to fight with them. They also speak confidently in the belief that a renewal of the strike will extend throughout the Dominion. A, branch" of the new Arbitration Union has been formed amongst the waterside workers at Onehunga, and work has now been resumed on the Onehunga wharves. It is. also stated that there y* a strong- feeling in .favour '-of new unions being established in connection with other trades involved in the present strike and not roistered under the Arbitration Act. A number of taxi-cab drivers were before the Finance Committee of the Uity Council this afternoon, to show causer why their licenses should not be cancelled, in view of their action in refusing to carry special constables as fares. • In the city, everything is exceedingly quiet, and there has been no disorder of any kind.' Yesterday two men were arrested for using insulting language, but there was not a single arrest in the city for drunkenness. - AH the hotels still remain closed. There were no important developments on the waterfront to-day. Members of the new union have settled down to work, and a start was made this morning to land the 13,000 tons of coal that await disj charge., the collier Kurojv being berthed at the Queen's wharf. The Northern Steamship Company reports that full complements of men required have been secured for nil their steamers.