THE WEST COAST.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18058, 28 April 1924, Page 9

THE WEST COAST.

COMPLETE HOLD-UP.

TIMBER WORKERS' SUPPORT.

(BPIOIAL TO "TBS TEBSS.')

GKEYMOUTH, April 27,

Leaden skies and practically constant rain have added to the general cheerlessness produced by the strike with its accompaniments of industrial paralysis and the isolation of the province. Not a train has moved on the Coast since the members of the A.S.R.S. became acquainted with the instructions from headquarters, and work on the two vessels in port was practically at a standstill all day yesterday owing to the rain. In any case, there were very few members of the Waterside Workers' Union employed. The Alexander occupied the berth generally utilised by tho tug Westland, and part of her cargo was discharged into waiting motor vehicles. At tho main wharf the Kittawa -was taking in bunker coal, but it is doubtful whether much more than would suffice to keep tho vessel's fires going could be loaded by the primitive methods in use. It. is understood that the railwaymen refused to allow the use of a horse to draw the coal and timbor trucks to the ship's side. Thero has been no disorder locally, and no incidents aro reported. The railwaymen spend much of their time in the Railway Hall, where the time is passed with music and songs. A sports programme which was set down for yesterday had to bo postponed. At Saturday's meeting a request from the residents of Eewanui for a tram to convey foodstuffs was refused, but they were notified that volunteers were not lacking to carry goods from Dunollie up the hill to Eewanui. If this offer is accepted, there is a strong probability that this will be the method by which the mining township will be victualled.

The secretary .of the Golden Coast Dairy Company telegraphed asking if cream from Botomanu could be conveyed to Jackson's by trolley, _ but it was decided'to .adivise the company to approach the Prime Minister and ask him to bring the matter before the Executive of the A.S.B.S. It is understood that the Strike Committee will agree to tho gasworks being supplied with Coal, of which there is only sufficient to last a few days on*'hand. At a meeting of the executive of the Westland Timber Workers' Union, the following resolution was carried unanimously:—"That this meeting of the Westland Timber Workers' Union executive congratulates the A.S.B.S. on the stand it has, taken in its fight against longer hours and worse conditions; and we pledge ourselves to support the Association in any way possible to win out. We realise that this is a fight of the exploiter against the worker, and that no stone should be" left unturned to ensure the workers' success. We also recommend to the Alliance of Labour executive that all Workers whose work will have a detrimental effect as against the A.S.B.S. in winning the. fight should be called out; and, further, we instruct all timber workers that no timber is to be loaded in the event of the Government running 'scab' trains." The Otira branch of the A.S.B.S; passed the following resolution: "We strongly condemn the action of Cabinet in circulating misleading propaganda to the public as to the just claims of the Society; and, further, the members have great confidence in their Executive Council, and will stand by it through everything." At Westport the strikers are engaging in football matches and other pastimes to* make the time pass more lightly. There is a shortage of potatoes and only a fair supply of sugar and' flour in the Buller district. Stocks of benzine also are running short. Coal was shunted by the stationmaster and the goods foreman of the crane wharf at Westport on to the merchandise <*wharf for bunkering the s.s. Karori, but the watersiders refused to handle it, and the Karori sailed with what bunkers she had for Wellington. The Breeze got bunker coal which had been shunted on to the Wharf by the regular hands before the trouble began. The Kaimanawa had •to sail for Wellington short of bunker coal.

It is reported that on May Ist the watersiders will demand that no work be done on the waterfront after midnight, thus cutting out the midnight to 8 a.m. shift.

(PSEBS AS3CCIATIOH TEI.EGSAL!.)

GREYMOUTH, April 27

It is understood that the loco, men have intimated that, if thereis a food shortage along the Otira line, .they will provide a train.

MR SEMPLE'S DEFENCE OF

LABOUR PARTY

(MIESS ASSOCIATION TEISGRASI.. 1

DUNEDIN, April 2S.

Mr R. Sample this morning repudiated the suggestion that the Labour Party was using the present trouble for political purposes, as emphasised in Mr Isitt's reply to Mr Holland The party had nothing to do with the creation of the trouble. Its action -was taken not to extend the trouble, but to put the men's chums before the public, with the object of a fair settlement. The Public Service was permeated with discontent. The Labour Party wanted an efficient, contented service. The party bad held out the olive branch since the struggle started.

CEMENT WORKS CLOSED.

AUCKLAND SUBURBAN SERVICES

(PESSS ASSOCIITXOS TEUSOBAK.)

AUCKLAND, April 26.

A skeleton train service to Papatoetoe, on the south suburban line, was inaugurated to-day, when four trains ran at long intervals without untoward incident.

It is proposed to run a train from Frankton on Monday, returning m the afternoon. The suburban service wall also be extended. Wilson's cement works at Warkwortn have closed down owing to lack of coal throwing one hundred men out of employment. The plant at Portland is running at half capacity. Wilson's coalmjne. at Hikurangi has also closed, necessitating the discharge of 115 men.