THE RAILWAY STRIKE

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 180, 24 April 1924, Page 8

THE RAILWAY STRIKE

SERVICES PRACTICALLY AT A STANDSTILL INTIMIDATION IN THE SOUTH THREATENING LETTERS TO WORKERS REFUSE TO UNLOAD , TRUCKS

The local strike situation remained unchanged yesterday, and reports from north and south show that there is little change elsewhere as regards the men of the A.S.R.S. Isolated instances of refusal to handle cargo on the ground that all railway borne goods were “black,” or were handled by shunters who were not regular shunters, are reported. . , . , The mail services are being well maintained by motorcars, and every practical assistance from Chambers of Commerce and other bodies have been received by the Government. High railway officials in Christchurch report complaints of intimidation of a serious kind. It is stated that anonymous letters have been sent to workers making threats that they would be “put out of action. A careful examination of the financial side of the railways is made by the Prime Minister in a statement which emphasises that revenue from several sources will probably be less than it was last year, and Mr. Massey urges economy in all sections of the community,

RAILWAY’S FINANCIAL POSITION STATEMENT BY PRIME MINISTER NEED FOR CARE AND ECONOMY The Prime Minister yesterday issued the followin'; statement: — “I have had several inquiries durinc the last few days as to the finances of the Dominion, and especially as to whether th© railways made a profit or not on the year’s work. On account of the very large sums which have had to be converted during recent years and the higher rate paid during the war, the average rate of interest, payable upon the public debt, has increased considerably. It is now a little less than 4J per cent. The railways are expected to earn 3J per cent., and I have no doubt did so for last financial year; but for each of the three years (always taking the 3J per cent, as the standard of earnings) there was a deficit :— For the year 1920-21, the deficit was £124,390 For the year 1921-22, the deficit was £1,068,224 For the year 1922-23, the deficit was £285,011 In normal years freight and fares are not high enough to meet the working expenses and the fixed interest rate of Sgper cent., charged on the capital cost of open lines. “The working expenses, moreover, do not cover all charges, as for instance, tlie interest charges on unopened lines, which in a railway company would immediately become a capital charge, and in the Governmnet Bailways aro at present borne by the Consolidated Fund until such lame as the railway takes the lines oyer for traffic purposes. The loss in interest under this heading at 32 per cent, for the last'ten years is estimated at £1,250,000, the amount ranging from approximately £90,000 in 1915 to £224,000 in 1922 23. If these charges were bfo-no by the Government Railways as in commercial railways, together with superannuation liability, estimated to bo at least £l/0,000 per annum, the present railway revenue, without allowing for any increased expenditure m other directions, would not earn anything like the interest margin required to meet public debt charges It wSI be seen from the foregoing that any additional charge on the railways cannot be earned in the ordinary way, but must come from the taxpayer through the Consolidated Fund. This means additional taxation, and I know that most people are looking anxiously for reduction of taxation r ather

than for an increase. “■Here I would like to correct a statement which I am reported to have made speaking recently in Wellington. It was stated that as Finance Minister I said I would ask Parliament to reduce taxation by an amount equivalent to that by which it was reduced last session. What I did s*ay was that I would like to reduce taxation by the same amount as last session, but I was very doubtful about being able to do it, and I quoted figures to show some of the additional expenditure which would be expected from the Consolidated Fund during the present year. ’’Penny postage was reinstated on October 1 lust. That is, half the financial year had gone before the change, so that even allowing for a reasonable increase of business, the loss ior the present twelve months is almost certain to be more than for the last six months. So with the Customs duty on tea. We collected the duty on tea for about five months of the last year before the duty was struck out, and the surplus for last year was helped to that extent but there is no such help available for this year. I think most people will have noticed that during the last few days the cables have indicated a considerable drop in the prices or our principal products with the exception of wool, i'h is, of course, means less revenue. I don’t want to cause any anxiety about financial matters. The financial position is good at present, but I desire to°warn the public against extravagant expenditure either publicly or privately. With economy we shall come through all right, and at the same time keep our policy of development going, but with«nri care and economy there may be serious trouble.

r CHAIRMANSHIP OF WAGES BOARD AN ERRONEOUS IMPRESSION CORRECTED BY MR. MASSEY A statement throwing light on the discussion regarding the chairmanship of the Wages Board suggested and suddenly rejected by the A. 5.8.5., was issued by Mr. Massey yesterday, as follows: — ... A somewhat wrong impression is conveyed by th© statement of the president of the A.S.R.S. with regard to the offer of a Supreme Court to act as chairman of the board. It is correct to say that the nam© of Mr. Justice Sim was mentioned, but he was not the only Judge who was suggested as being particularly . suitable for the position of president in connection with a dispute such as that which now unfortunately exists. Names of other Judges were mentioned, but as a matter of fact, while the representatives of the railwaymen said they did not like Supreme Court they were not turned down definitely. W© made it perfectly clear that there might bo difficulties in the way of the appointment of any member of the Supreme Court bench, and as a matter of fact we have the names of two K.C.’s whom, if need be, we intended to suggest. However, everything was upset by the announcement made on Monday that the executive of the A.S.R.S. were determined on on© of two courses —either an increase in wages or a strike. Supreme Court Judges are not bound to become presidents or members of commissions only as they feel inclined, and unless their other duties permit, but on important commissions I personally prefer a Judge of the Supreme Court to anyone else because they are impartial and unbiased, and bring training and experience to bear on the difficult matters in connection with which they ar© sometimes called upon to adjudicate. And just let me say here it has not been unusual for Judges to be appointed as commissioners. In some cases the law actually provides for it. Take the Election Petitions Court. Th© law says it must consist of two Supreme Court Judges. I can remember a commission set up by a former Prim© Minister, the Right. Hon. R. J. Seddon, on what were called the “voucher” charges. Mr. Seddon appointed, if my recollection is right practically the whole bench of Judges (6) as members of the commission. On th© Cement Commission a year or two ago Mr. Justice Sim was appointed with the consent of all concerned. On a very important Native Land Commission some years ago the Chief Justice was himself president of the commission, and there are numbers of such instances if it were necessary to quote them. CARRIAGE OF MAILS SERVICES WELL MAINTAINED 'The motor mail services inaugurated by the Government are coping well with the situation, largely through the general assistance given by the Chambers of Commerce throughout the Dominion. The freight services into the country are being thoroughly organised, and hero also assistance is freely forthcoming. Of recent years the Northern Steamship Company has been running only a bi-weekly service between New Ply- ' mouth and Onehunga, but in the present crisis the company has agreed to run boats trice a week, leaving New Plymouth (with the southern and Wellington mails), on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, or, as an alternative, on Tuesday, Thurday, and Saturday evenings after the arrival of the mail motor-cars. Second-class mail matter will go forward by motor vans or by boat as occasion occurs. In a crlffis like the present, prompt dispatch cannot be given to second-class mail matter (newspapers, magazines, books and parcels), as it is bulky, and cannot be accommodated in high-speed motor cars such as are being used for the carriage of mails in most parts of the country. A second-class mail service has been established between Woodville and Napier. Ono is now being arranged between Woodville and. Wellington (by way of the Wairarapa), and on the other coast from Wellington to Wanganui. Steamers are bing utilised for this traffic whereever possible. WILL AEROPLANES BE USED. Christchurch, April 23. The Minister of Defence (Sir Heaton Itbodes), was asked to-day whearrangements were likely to be made for an aeroplane mail service to Dunedin, and intermediate towns during the period of the strike. “There is no arrangement at present,” ho .said. “It would be an expcnsivo'.lrin and p. --

bably it would be cheaper to send the mail by motor lorries. Trial aeroplane services were conducted soma time ago, but very few people patronised them. I am returning to Wellington to-night, and the Postmaster General may discuss the subject further.” “WORKING WELL.” Dunedin, April 23. Thte arrangements for dispatches and receiving the mails are working well. All second-class matter for the North Island is being sent forward by the steamer Canadian Pioneer, leaving Dunedin at 10 a.m. The letter portion of all the mails for the North left by motor, and th© mails should reach Lyttelton in time to connect with the ferry steamer. 'Hie Post Office has also arranged a complete service to and from Central Otago. THE LINK WITH AUCKLAND. New Plymouth, April 23. A daily service between New Plymouth and Wellington has been maintained sine© the strike began, first by motors and now by a train, and tonight th© steamer Opihi took all the accumulation of heavy mails to Wellington. The Rarawa, which left tonight for Onehunga, took mails from Taranaki and the south, and her passenger accommodation was full. Next weelc the Rarawa will run a tri-weekly service between New Plymouth and Onehunga, One mail train daily is running bef/ween here and Wanganui, and a mixed train between New Plymouth and Hawera. Work at the port is held up owing to the absence of trucks. Perishable cargo is being landed and picked up by Terries., LOCAL MOTOR SERVICES GOOD WORK BEING DONE. The conveyance of passengers between the suburbs and city yesterday had settled down into smooth running. There was not the dread uncertainty about transit which marked travelling on Tuesday. The motor service has risen to the occasion gallantly, and people are now assured that,. even though they ma}' have to wait for some time, the cars will keep plying until the last passenger has been transportedThe new Hutt Road was just completed in time, and at present is an exceedingly busy thoroughfare, as it has to carry the whole of the traffic between the’ Hutt Valley and the city. The road is standing up to th© strain well. . A regular daily car service between Wellington and Palmerston North, leaving the city at 9.30 a.m-, was commenced yesterday. The Wellington Chamber of Commerce has been conferring with motor carriers with th© object of ascertaining whether ii is possible to arrange for an organised goods service. . An organisation committee. of which Mr, H. J. Stott is secretary, his been set up, and may succeed in evolving a working basis for the carriage of necessities. “ ALL OUT NOW” ENTHUSIASTIC STRIKERS Br Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch. April 28. Two large meetings of strikers were held this morning in the Trades Hall. Officials reported afterwards that the following motion had been passed at both meetings: “That this meeting appreciates the stand taken by the local members of the R-0.1. at their meeting last night, and in the event of any attempt being made to victimise the officers for any action they may take in connection with th© strike, this meeting further assures the R. 0.1. of its solid support in having such victimisation removed,” “The only other thing to be said is that our feeling is stronger and more enthusiastic than ever,” said one official. “Four signalmen' who kept on working when the strike was declared have come out, so that the whole of our men are out now.” EFFECT AT MANGAHAO PROGRESS MAY BE HINDERED Bx Telegraph—Press AssociationPalmerston North, April 23. The “Manawatu Standard’s” Shannon correspondent states that the lailway strike, unless it is speedily settled, will affect the progress of the Mangahao hydro-electric works. The local railway yards are full of cement, pipes, etc., but no interference has up to the present taken place in regard to the removal of the cement. Th© stationmaster and clerks are on duty. The strike will prevent a number of people returning home, including the men at the Mangahao works MORE IDLE MEN STRIKE CAUSES MINES AND WORKS TO CLOSE Dunedin, -April 23. The mines in Otago will be forced to close shortly owing to inability to get their output away. The Milburn Lime and Cement Co.'s works at Milbum closed io-day, putting 60 men out of work, as no raw material was coming to hand. The cement works in Dunedin, employing 65 men, will close on Friday if the strike continues, and the company’s Dunback works, with 35 hands, will also close this week. This will cause dislocation of the local building trade, with further unemployment. 9he railway stoppage also affects the cairiage of fruit from Central Otago. The goods sheds are practically deserted. A few pickets are in evidence outside the Hillside workshops. It is reported that none of the men vho put in an appearance nt Hillside yesterday offered service to-day. RAILWAY OFFICERS’ INSTITUTE At a meeting of the executive committee of the New Zealand Railway Officers’ Institute, held last night, which was attended by all the members of the committee, matters in connection with the institute’s policy relative to the strike were very fully considered. At the conclusion of the meeting the following official statement was handed to the Press: —“That from the very complete and detailed information before the committee covering the attitude of ©very branch of the institute throughout Now Zealand it was evident that practically without exception the members of the organisation were refraining from doing the work of second division members of the service now on strike. The committee decided to impress upon the members the seriousness of the position, and the need of remaining neuI tral, and also to advise that it was | considered that the members should ' see that the Railway Department’s buildings and property were properly | protected.”

SYMPATHY WITH STRIKERS WILL WATERSIDERS AND SEAMEN COME OUT ? A RUMOUR DENIED By Telegraph—Press Association. Dunedin, April 23. There is no foundation for the rumour that the watersiders and the .seamen will strike. A prominent unionist said th© matter never had been considered, and was not likely to be. He added that the watersiders probably would show sympathy by a levy for strike funds. Mr. R. Semple stated this morning that, though the railwaymen were unanimously determined to get a settlement of their grievances, the olive branch was always held out. TYPOGRAPHICAL SUPPORT. Dunedin, April 23. The Typographical Conference has concluded. It was resolved: “That this conference forwards its greetings to tho Labour Party, and expresses the sincere hope that its deliberations will be successful, and that tho time is not far distant when the Labour Party will occupy tho Treasury benches.” The conference also forwarded greetings to the A.S.R.S. assuring that body of its support in the fight to retain the 44-hour week, and obtain a I’ving wage.” At a largely-attended meeting of the Otago Motor and Horse Drivers’ Union it was decided to support the railwaymen’s protest against the Government instituting a 48-liour week. Hie union also decided to place itself vireservedly in the hands of tho Alliance of Labour. LOCO MEN’S ATTITUDE. Timaru, April 23. A largely-attended meeting of members of the local branch . of the E.F.O.A. was held last night, when addresses were delivered by visiting delegates At the conclusion of the meeting the following resolution was carried: —“That this largely-attended meeting of members of th© Timaru branch of the E.F.C.A., having heard their delegates’ addresses on the present position, pledge themselves to carry out implicitly the instructions as issued by our executive, and further reaffirm our confidence in the executive of our organisation.” WORK WITH FREE LABOUR RESENTED. Auckland, April 23. The Enginedrivers, Firemen, and Cleaners’ Association to-day carried the following resolution: —“This .meeting would resent and feel humiliated if called upon to work with free labour, and that the executive be teegraphed to immediately asking for further consideration to relieve members of this position.” ENGINEERS’ SUPPORT. Christchurch, April 23. The Dominion conference of the Amalgamated Engineering Union, whicli has opened at Christchurch, unanimously passed th© following motion of sympathy with the strikers: 'The union congratulates the A.S.R.S. in resisting the Government’s attempt at the apparent behest of the Employers’ Federation to revert to the 48-hour week and refuse the railwaymen a wage sufficient to ensure a fair standard of living, while at the same time paying large salaries to another section of the same service- We regret that the Government did not see fit to call Parliament together and at least make an attempt to settle this matter without the;, necessity of this strike, the responsibility for which must be placed by all right thinking persons at th© door of the Government. Our members throughout the country are urged to support in every possible way the A.S.R.S. and to remember that this fight the brunt of which is being borne by th© railway workers, is in every sense our fight. Further, when it is won, as we are determined it shall be won, let us remember that we will shortly have an opportunitv to remove the cause by voting this Government out and replacing it by a Labour Government in New Zealand.” A CLASS FIGHT. Napier, April 23. At a meeting of the Hawke’s Bay district council of the Alliance of Labour at Napier to-night, _ the following resolutions were carried: —“(1) Seeing that the _ railwaymen of New Zealand are putting up a class fight, this council will stand by them until such fight is brought to a successful issue; (2) that this council congratulates Mr. Holland and other members of the Labour Party on the fight they are putting up for the railwaymen and workers throughout New Zealand.” P. & T. OFFICERS’ ATTITUDE WILL KEEP PROMISE TO SUPPORT Palmerston North, April 23. A member of the executive of the Palmerston North branch of the P. and T. Association refutes the published statement of a responsible officer of the Department that the P. and T. officers have little or no sympathy with the striking railwaymen, and that their minds were not turned in the direction of a sympathetic strike. “On the contrary,” ho stated, “P. and T. men are in no way antagonistic to the railway servants in their claim for a fair deal, and a resolution conveying these sentiments was carried .by our association recently. Our attitude is unchanged, and members will resent any suggestion that they, will go back on their promise of support. “We are now awaiting a further decision of the P. and T. Association’s general executive at Wellington. The ultimate decision will be made by ballot at an early date, although the papers have not yet been received. The issues involved are twofold, involving readiness to strike and also that of financially assisting the railwaymen.” TRAIN FOR FERRY PASSENGERS Christchurch, April 23. A train brought the ferry pis senders through the tunnel to-day, but otherwise no trains are running. Southern passengers secured seats on southbound motor-cars from Christchurch. ALL TRAINS AT STANDSTILL Palmerston North, April 23. The stationmaster has loeeived no advice regarding the running of a skeleton service. Since t-he departure eV the fceeonid Main Trunk express yesterday all trains have been st a standstill. NO MONEY TO PLAY WITH The Alliance of Labour executive held several meetings to consider the otriike, and although it is officially stated that there is nothing to report, information is available there is not much likelihood of a general strike, the principal obstacle bgrng finances.

ROAD TRAFFIC PROBLEM PREPARING FOR LONG STRUGGLE by teleghaph.—press association. Blenheim, April 23. Indications that the Government is preparing for a long struggle are contained in a telegram which Mr. H. Cook, of the Public Works Department. has received from headquarters. This message says: “In view of the increased lorry traffic on account of th© railway strike tho Department must get in touch with Chambers of Commerce and discuss road traffic with them, and then confer with the local bodies affected and endeavour to get them to bring their maintenance men from side roads on to th© main routes; tho Department also to put on flying gangs of men if special cases of necessity arise. You aro to take the responsibility for the section of road from Picton to Blenheim and Blenheim to Wharanui. Advise what action is taken, and if special labour is necessary requisition appropriate sums.” In view of the fact that the Marlborough Chamber of Commerce is defunct or moribund, Mr. Cook is conferring instead with the Progress League. He is also in close touch with the county engineer (Mr. G. S. Whiteside). i No time has been lost m arranging for motor services to replace, as far as possible, the railways. A daily motor service between Blenheim and Ward has been commenced. Cars ar© leaving Blenheim each day for Picton at 3.30 p.m. ORGANISED SERVICE FROM CHRISTCHURCH. Christchurch, April 23. The first attempt to arrange an organised motor transport service between Christchurch and th© south was made to-night, and the now system, run by private enterprise, will be put into operation to-morrow morning. Some 63 passengers will leave in five bi? cars at about 8.30 a.m. A meeting of representative business men was held to-night, when arrangements were niade for organising a system for transport of goods in North Canterbury. ISOLATION FEARED . Rotorua, April 23. At a. special meeting of th© Borough Council in connection with the strike it was decided, in order to \bviato the danger of isolation, to pay half the cost of keeping in order tlhe road to Paengaroa,, from which the Public Wbrks railway runs to the port of Tauranga, tho County Council to find the other half. It was also decided to request the Northern Steamship Company to run a daily steamer from Tauranga ho Auckland. Tho coucil resolved to arrange for the purchase of a stock of benzine. ONE TRAIN IN FAR NORTH Whangarel, April 23. A train, with an ex-A.S.R.S. tablet porter as guard, left Whangarei at 8.20 with mails and a few passengers, for Opua. It was later reported to have reached its destination undisturbed. Otherwise the essential services radiating from Whangarei are being conducted by motor vehicles. All the Hikurangi mines, employing n largo number of men, have closed down owing to lack of rolling-stock. TAUMARUNUI ISOLATED Taumarunui, April 23. Heavy rain commenced to fall here in the early hours of the morning, and as it will affect the roads in the King Country, Taumarunui will be more isolated by the strike than it would have been had fine weather continued- It is possible for cars to get through to Ohakune, and a bus left for the. south at 6 o’clock this morning. It is not likely, unless the weather clears that a service can be maintained with Te Kuiti. The town is not badly off for supplies, and has enough for three weeks. NOTHING OF MOMENT Wanganui, April 23. Nothing of moment in connection with th© strike occurred' to-day. A train ran to Marton and back in tho morning. Another train arrived from Now Plymouth and one left for that town. The watersiders worked the steamers to-day and. motor services ran without interruption. DAILY SERVICE MAINTAINED Cisborne, April 23.. A daily railway service between Gisborne and Motuhora is being maintained. A train-load of meat was brought in under the control of the station master, and is being loaded for transhipment to the steamor Mahana. Tho watersiders have stated that they would take no action till they were advised from Wellington. The coal supplies are satisfactory, and sufficient for a month or two. STATIONMASTER’S HANDS FULL Nelson, April 23. A train came in from the country this morning. It is proceeding to Glenhope to-day, and will return this evening, and goes back to Belgrove. The stationmaster in charge, who is not a member of the Railway Officers’ Institute. is acting as guard, shunter, etc. This train is a great convenience to the community, including three hundred school children. COAL MINES STOPPING Greymouth, April 23. There are no developments at the railways. Work has stopped at. the wharves, and the State mine is idle. The Blackball and Roa mines are to be worked till the bins are full, which will be this week. Heavy rain last night caused the rivers and creeks to rise, checking motor traffic. Slips on the Otira Gorge Road stopped the cars getting through. „„ Westport, April 23. All work on the Westport railway has ceased except for the shunting of a few trucks of bunker coal for the Karori to enable her io sail for Wellinrton. Tlie mines are working, but a sill e bins are expected to be lull tomorrow and no rolling stock will be available, the mines will have io close. All is quiet on the waterfront. As a result of the strilke a very marked depression in trade and in business circles generally is reported “People do not know how long it will all last, and they are not spending money,” said a business man. to a Dominion reporter yesterday.

INTIMIDATION! TALK OF MODEL STRIKE “MERELY EYEWASH” WORKERS THREATENED WITH VIOLENCE CROSSING-KEEPERS STONED By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, April 23. The declaration of the A.S.R.S. that the strike would be “a model one” as far as the men were concerned, and that there would be no intimidation, is not being substantiated, according to high railway officials in Christchurch. Complaints are made that intimidation of a serious kind is being resorted to, and that through these tactics the Railway Department has been deprived of the services of some of the men who remained on. duty. Anonymous letters have been sent to the workers, making threats that they would be “put out of action” or subjected to various forms of physical violence. Th© wives of the men also have been written te in the same way, and the effect might be easily imagined. The officials declare that m several cases men were subjected to physical pressure to keep; them from working. One man had his bicycle taken from him, and he was led off forcibly by pickets grasping his arms. In another case two men, who were guarding a crossing over which trams passed, were accosted by pickets and invited to leave the job. They refused to do so, and the pickets retired. Shortly tffterujards about 20 women appeared on the scene, and they commenced throwing stones at the railway men, one of whom received an injury to his leg. . The result of the tactics described was that several of the second division men notified the officials that they could not attend further during the strike. Tho opinion was expressed that the pickets reallv wanted other pickets to look after them. The officials consider the talk about “a model strike” is merely eye-wash tor the public, and is entirely opposed to what is actually happening. DECLARED BLACK WATERSIDERS REFUSE TO UNLOAD TRUCKS Br Telegraph— Press Association. Auckland, April 23. The watersiders refused to unload trucks in the railway yards with sleepers from the ship Port Caroline. They state that while the strike continues they will not touch work in th© railway yards. They picketed the Port Caroline to stop the discharge, alleging the trucks were used for “black” work. SIMILAR ACTION AT BLUFF. Invercargill, April 23. The watersiders at Bluff declared 16 railway trucks “black” on the ground that a guard had assisted then into the yards. ENGINE DRIVERS REFUSE WORK By telegraph—Special Correspondent. Nelson, April 23. Tho manager of the Anchor Shipping Trine Co. advises that the agent at Greymouth arranged with the railway manager there te shift the Alexander s cargo, but the engine drivers refused to work. The perishable cargo, however, was discharged and is being forwarded to its destination by motorlorries. The Regulus will not be dispatched to the West Coast until it is certain that she will be worked. HOLD-UP AT NEW PLYMOUTH. It is also reported that at New Plymouth yesterday the watersiders refused to load cargo into railway trucks on the ground that all goods carried on railways became black. “WILL NOT BE HANDLED.” Greymouth, April 23. Th© watersiders her© are understood to have notified that cargo to or from trucks running since the strike began will not be handled. No train of any description ran today on th© Westland section. 1 “MISTAKEN METHOD” FARMERS’ UNION VIEW Christchurch, April 23. The North Canterbury branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union resolved, after a long discussion on the railway strike: “That the executive is of opinion that the strike by railwaymen is a mistaken method of asserting their alleged rights, and the Government is to be supported in resisting such methods.” QUIET DAY IN DUNEDIN FOODSTUFFS IN AMPLE SUPPLY Dunedin, April 23. A quiet day was experienced in Dunedin to-day, the only semblance of bustle being at the railway station, when various trains which were run were arriving or departing. Trains were run to and from Invercargill, Oamaru, and Outram, and in each instance were well patronised. This was particularly so with regard to the Invercargill train, which carried a large number of passengers both ways. There were no demonstrations on the railway platform, although strikers’ pickets were in evidence. There were no acts of lawlessness of any note. To-morrow it is proposed to run a train to and from Oamaru, and one to and from Outram.

The Hillside workshops are now picketed. A number of men take turns in watching the entrance gates to the shops. Th© public of Otago need have no anxiety regarding flour and wheat, as large supplies are on hand. The Kawatiri, which arrived in Dunedin last week, brought 41,200 sacks of Australian wheat which made a substantial addition to the stocks already held by millers. Inquiries from coal merchants show that- there are ample supplies of coal in stock, both for household and steam purposes. On Monday retail merchants were deluged with orders for household coal, but this eased off considerably yesterday when it. was found that ample coal was available. Supplies of hard coal, too, are quite sufficient to meet all reasonable requirements for some time to come, the stocks in merchants’ hands being well above normal. There are also large stocks of firewood in various merchant’s yards. These stocks are unusually large, this being probably accounted for bv the fact that the season, having been a mild one, lesser

quantities, of wood than usual have been required for household purposes. A reporter was informed that grocery supplies were at present ample for all requirements. The port is still open and there will be no difficulty in supplementing these supplies should there be any occasion for it. The position of the freezing works as a result of the strike is serious. Hundreds of men, 200 at Burnside alone, are thrown out of work, and as no stock is coming to hand killing is at a standstill. A supply of. power being available from Waipori, the freezers can be kept going, but nothing can be added to the stock. SHIPPING AFFECTED ‘ LACK OF TRUCKS AT AUCKLAND By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, April 23. No skeleton railway service is yet running her©, though a suburban service may be inaugurated at any time. This afternoon a train of seven carriages with a crew pulled up at the station, platform, apparently outbound for Papatoetoe, but after about half an hour the engine was uncoupled and ran back to- the shed. Though yesterday sufficient trucks were available to allow of the usual work on the waterfront, the steamers Waitemata and Hauraki were seriomslly affected in unloading to-day through lack of trucks. The fornner has Nauru phosphates and the latter coal for the Railway Department. The Ruahine and Port Caroline are discharging, but difficulty will arise when the former ha? to load frozen meat and dairy produce. Acctording to the insurance policies such commodities must be conveyed in insulated trucks, and it will be necessary to obtain the consent of the insurance companies to conveyance by other means. Mr. P. Hickey has been appointed temporarily strike organiser for the Auckland district. WEST COAST ISOLATED ARTHUR’S PASS ROAD BLOCKED Christchurch, April 23. The West Coast is completely isolated. Between thirty and forty people were aboard Newman’s cars this morning when news was received from the West Coast that the road between Arthur’s Pass and Otira was blocked in several places. The road will probably be blocked for two days. WORKERS’ TRAIN AS USUAL Invercargill, April 23. To-day has been quiet without noteworthy incident. The express, with 400 passengers, got through to Dunedin, and a a workers’ train was run to and from Bluff as usual. It is announced that no further effort will be made to run an express to Dunedin this week as the number of passengers does not warrant the service. The Bluff trains will be kept going. A train from Dunedin reached town tonight. __