WORKING OF CARGO.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14822, 13 November 1913, Page 10

WORKING OF CARGO.

ACTIVITY AT WELLINGTON-

MORE MEN AT WORK

(SPECIAL TO "THE PRESS.") WELLINGTON, November 12. The working of cargo at the Wellington wharves continues to proceed apace with a steadily increasing number of members of the new Arbitration Union. Inaddition to the vessels mentioned yesterday, the Dorset, from Liverpool, with 220 tons of general cargo, was berthed to-day at Taranaki street wharf, after nearly three weeks of enforced idleness in the stream, and gangs of Arbitrationists were soon busily engaged in putting her cargo out, the ship's winches being used for tho purpose. Every day sees the sthenic deeper down in the water, and only a few inches of red are now showing. A largo quantity of cheese was shipped to-day. So much fruit has been unloaded from the WiHochra that the B Shed on King's Wharf is.packed from floor to ceiling with bananas and apples, and canned pears and peaches. General cargo was being freely carted away from tho wharves to-day, and in addition to fruit, cement, glass, and euoh. like goods, left tho wharves piled high on the lorries. This is a new development, carting hitherto having been confined to perishable products. (FRESS ASSOCIATION TELXGKAM.) "WELLINGTON, November 12. Tho permanent staff of the Harbour Board is now engaged in its ordinary duties, the "special" constables relieving it of patrol work. 'IVo hydraulic cranes were at work to-day, and all are available, as they havo oeen since the strike, when applied for. If required, they will be manned £>y the Harbour '• Board permanent men, failing other men being available. The bond was opened yesterday for the first time since the strike, and merchants took the opportunity of replenishing stocks of goods therefrom. The Employers, Farmers, and Citizen's Defence Committee met again today. An offer of men and horses for use in Wellington or elsewhere was received from tho Gisborne and East Coast sheepowners' Association. There was no other business to report to tho Press. MORE THREATS. (press association* telegram.) WELLINGTON, November 12. Speaking at Pctono about two hours previous to his arrest last nigtft, Mr R. Semple mado a significant remark in reply to an interjection. It was whiTe he was appealing to every sympathiser to do his "little bit" for the strike that a member of the audience cried out, "I did a fortnight at Auckland at tho time of tho maritime strike." Mr Semple congratulated the interjeeter for his devotion to tho cause, and added: "Some of us may bo 'in jug' for longer than that before the strike is over." "What did you do timo for?" the inter jector was asked. "For knocking down a blackleg," 'was the reply. "Well, I hope you will 'down' Borne more blacklegs," commented Mr Sample. "We are going 'to go the whole hog' this time," exclaimed Mr" It. Semple, at Petone last evening..- "We havo done something already, and we are going to extend it from North Cape to Bluff, even if we paralyse New Zealand. We have been driven to do this, and, by God 2 we'll do it." In describing Messrs Reardon and Barr as traitors to their own class, Mr Farland (secretary of tho striking Waterside Workers' Union), m speaking at Petone Jast night, "ear-marked" them for punishment, exclaiming, "By God, the.men of Petone and - elsewhere, will mete out such retribution to these men as has never been done before." ' • / — RIOTERS PUNISHED. (press association telegram .) WELLINGTON, November 12. At tho Magistrate's Court to-day Robert Hill was charged with.assaulting a constable in Taranaki street on November 4th, by hitting him with a bottle while he arresting another man. Hill was sent-to prison for 14 daj'S. William Sellers Johnston was charged with assaulting Sergeant Dew by throwing 'an iron bar at him. The bar missed its mark by inches. Johnston was sentenced to one month's imprisonment. .Archibald Campbell was charged with having taken part in a riot in Taranaki street on November 4th; also with being a rogue and vagabond, armed at night with felonious intent. When ho was arrested the prisoner was violent. In his possession were found &~ loaded lead pipe and half a brick. On the vagrancy charge he was sent to prison for two months, and ho was committed for trial on tho charge of being concerned'in a riot. A number of other persons who were arrested during the recent disorders wero remanded to various dates. Peter Mulcahy was fined £5, in default one month's imprisonment, for using insulting language to a picket of special constables in Courtenay Place yesterday. THE WARRIMOO'S CHEW. —— o (press association telegram.) WELLINGTON, November 12. The arrived at 5 p.m. from Sydney. Her seamen have taken no action yet, but are believed to be strongly in favour of going out. She landed passengers, mails, and luggage, and left for Dunedin direct at 9.5 p.m. THE ARBITRATION ACT. (press association telegram.) WELLINGTON, November 12. In the House fVday, the Prime Minister said: —"If there is a genuine desire on the part of the workers of the Dominion that all unions be brought under the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act, I shall bo pleased to give the House an opportunity of considering the proposal by introducing legislation with that object in view." UGLY DISCOVERY. WEAPON AnJTIIMMUNITION. (special, to "the press.") WELLINGTON, November 12. It transpires that on the afternoon of October 30th, shortly before the riot outside Messrs Whitcombo and Tombs's premises in Lambton quay, a sensational find was made in the vicinity. A revolver and a box of fifty cartridges were discovered. The weapon and ammunition had obviously been hidden, but whether they were disposed of in fright or secreted for subsequent use, is not clear. WELLINGTON TRAMWAYMEN. SECRET BALLOT OPPOSED. (special to "the press.") WELLINGTON, November 12. The Wellington tramwaymen have postponed the taking of a secret ballot on the question of striking or remaining at work. The position is reported to be that a militant section in the Tramways Union, abetted by certain of the Federation leaders, has been agitating to ha\-e the motion to take a secret ballot rescinded in order that the strike issue may be determined by open vote. At til© meeting on Sunday last

the union only had before it a telegraphed request from the Strike Committee to join forces with the strikers. It was decided to await a formal written communication. This, it is stated, has now been received, in the meantime the Federation sympathisers in the union have been trying to get the secret ballot motion rescinded. It has been now reported that tney"havo been successful in this. BUILDERS' AND CARPENTERS' AGREEMENT. A SATISFACTORY OUTCOME. (PRESS ABSOCIATIOtf TKIECRAM.) "WELLINGTON. November 12. "When the Dominion agreement between the master builders and carpeuters was formally signed to-day, several speakers expressed satisfaction that methods of conciliation had proved successful, especially at this time of industrial strife. Mr Bennett, a master builder, said he was in a position to state authoritatively that the employers had absolutory no objection to unionism on properly constituted lines. Mr Beveridge, a workers' delegate, said there had been some discontent in Auckland, and this agreement would help to settle it. The Amalgamated Society had stuck -well to the Arbitration Court, and would now bo more firm in its adherence. THE NEW UNION IN WELLINGTON. FURTHER INCREASE D*' MEMBERSHIP. («PECIAL TO "THE PRESS.") WELLINGTON, November 12. The now Arbitration Union of Wellington waterside workers is still steadily gaining strength, and sufficient labourers are available every day to work the boats which are brought to the wharves. A special train arrived from Manawatu early this morning with twenty workers, and many city men also joined- A big projwrtion of these had already had experience of waterside work. . It is impossible to get information whether or not any of these are members of the Federation Union. ■•' The total strength of the Arbitration Union this evening was stated as 350. ITEMS FROM WELLINGTON. (SPECIAL TO "THE PBXSS.") WELLINGTON, November 12. The secretary of the Drivers' Union denies that tlfe drivers are out on strike. Hβ says that the members have ceased work in their owu interests, and will resume when it is advisable. The strikers Laving been turned out of the Harbour Board shed, where they used to meet, obtained the use of the old.Theatre Royal, now shut up. Tho Crown, however, has just acquired the lease, so : their tenure was ehort-Hved. After holding one meeting tho strikers found they would have to look elsewhere, and obtained the use of the King's Picture Theatre. Last night a barmaid refused to servo two special constables whose batons were peeping out from their breast pockets. She called them "scabs." The manager was summoned, and ordered the girl to apologise and dispense the drinks. She obeyed., but when the manager withdrew the barmaid sought revenge by hissing the Ttfprd "scab," which did not appear to disturb the "specials' " enjoyment of tho refreshment they had secured. Mr D. McLaren's prophecy after the , July congress, that the result would be a dividing line between constitutionalists and revolutionists and some very few who would be "left on the fence" is' coming true. A very interesting press; controversy has begun between moderate labourites and extremists. A member of, the .Wellington Industrial Asscxriation. said last night one outcome of the strike if it continued to spread, might be the ond of tho preference to unionists.