NO WORK AT WESTPORT.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 259, 30 October 1913, Page 5

NO WORK AT WESTPORT.

BAttWAT LABOUR OUT.

NAVUA SAILS FOR AUCKLAND.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

WESTPORT, this da* In accordance with a resolution arrived at last night by the Watersiders' Union, none of the wharf labourers turned up for work this morning. it -was announced that the Union Company would start work at the Navua at jj aim., and at, that time there was a considerable gathering of idle watersiders and the general public at the wharf. Steam was up in the crane, and it was stated that the seamen of the JJavua were willing to work at the cargo, some 50 tons of sugar and cement, and trim coal if guaranteed protection in the holds. The crew had a lively remembrance of its experience at Wellington. A promise of protection was given so far as the officers of the limited police force could cover. Constables Hodgson and Neady were on the wharf. The crew and the Union Company's permanent men would probably have coped with the work of placing the cargo on the wharf, but an insuperable difficulty arose a3 to them dealing with it. It is the duty of the Railway Department to receive cargo and deliver coal in trucks at the ship's side. The Railway Department had ordered out their casual labour, mostly men usually employed at the merchandise wharf, but not one of the men turned up. There was thus no labour offering.

The Department did not call upon their permanent hands to undertake the usual work, no free labour was offering, and it became apparent about 9 o'clock that no work would be done at the Navua.

Shortly after it was announced that the steamer would sail for Auckland witfhout coal, taking her original cargo with her, and at 10 o'clock she departed. The cement aboard her is badly wanted for contracts in hand.

The Union Co.'s Kowhai, bound from Lyttelton to Westport, was signalled on to Greymouth, there being no possibility of loading her here, as there are no empty trucks available. The coal mines are closed down to-day, and all wharf work is suspended.