THE OFFICERS' STRIKE.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXVI, Issue 13524, 4 November 1911, Page 3

THE OFFICERS' STRIKE.

HOW THE WHARF LABOURERS STAND. Their Position Explained. With a view to ascertaining the truth or otherwise of the rumour to. the., effect that there was a: possibility of the local wharf lumpers going 7 out* on strike as a protest against a vessel hating'been loaded and ° officered by - non-Unionists, _ a “Herald” representative this morning waited on Mr Geo. McKay, secretary of the Wanganui Waterside Workers Union, and of the New Zealand Waterside Workers’ Federation. A meeting of the Union was held' last evening, said Mr McKay, to consider the situation. .Word had been received that the Patna Shipping Company’s steamer Arapawa was officered by “blacklegs.” However, the Union was unable, to obtain any official information on the matter; in' fact, they had reason to believe that there was nothing under-hand about the vessel, and it was unlikely that the men would refuse badly-needed work on more hearsay. Therefore, when the Arapawa arrived this morning, discharging was proceeded with as usual. Mr McKay said that he 'wished to give an emphatic denial to the “information” published in this morning’s Chronicle, to the effect that a message had been sent to the’ Wellington - Waterside -Workers'- ■ Union, asking their opinion on the matter. Tie knew nothing of any‘ such Com-' ''municntionvThe Wanganui men did -0101 want to make trouble with cither party; and they certainly would not take 'any drastic action .unless they had reliable ground to go upon.