THE OLD HABITS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1939, 23 December 1913, Page 6

THE OLD HABITS.

EX-STRIKERS DEMAND WORK. I (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Auckland, December 22. This morning a largo number of "old hands," including Messrs. Canham and Hillier, president and secretary respectively of tho former union, went down ill a body to the wharf shed whero the union oftico is situated, to apply foI membership' and seek employment. Tht crowd was variously estimated at between 400 and 700 workers. They arrived shortly before 8 o'clock, equipped with kits and wearing working clothes, ready to resume work. The secretary of the new union (Mr. Stall. Rickards), who met the men, describes the attitudo of some of them as "threatening."' Ho states that they demanded work, and claimed the right to remain in the shed. A few words were exchanged, and then Mr Rickards informed the men that further applications for membership could not be considered till Wednesday, and asked them to leave tlio waiting room.' This they did, inoro or Jess reluctantly. It is understood that tlio labour available is more tlian ample to meet existing needs. Tho new union has a membership roll of 1234, and at present there is very littlo work offering. It is officially stated that .a batch of 150 members was enrolled on Saturday, a few applicants being rejected. The names of the applicants are not only submitted to the police, but applications must bo accompanied by two references, and tho individual must renounce tho Federation of Labour, and sign his allegiance to tho Arbitration Act. Seamen who have been on striko in Auckland are signing on boats available. It is stated that in view of the mixed reception that the announcement of the settlement received, there was 110 general rush for re-employricnt oil Saturday, the men preferring to wait. In addition to tho meeting on Saturday morning, another gathering was held in tho afternoon, when the main matter for consideration was the manning of the Manuka and Rosamond. It was agreed that the crews should return, and not adhere (so far as_ those :nen were concerned) to'tho previous decision to hold off till the delegates return from Wellington. Crews will bo signed on to-morrow for tho Westralia, Katoa, JCura and Waitomo. Seamen are getting positions on tho Northern Comp,my's boats to replaco unqualified men. It will not take long to corr.pleto <urangements for the restoration of f'O regular steamer services, and already definito sailing dates have been ' fixed for many of tho vessels that have been tied up. The seamen are quietly going back, and it i 3 not oxpccted' that manj will he without- berths when things are back to normal.