NEW UNIONISTS BUSY

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 146, 17 December 1913, Page 8

NEW UNIONISTS BUSY

There was the usual animation on the wharves to-day, when some twenty vessels were slapping or -unshipping cargo. In all twenty new men joined the Wharf Labourers' Union, and 1100 men were occupied with cargo on the wharf. With regard to the meetisg of members called for Fridaj- night, there is a possibility that an understanding regarding the new agreement will be arrived at before that date, in which case a meeting will not be necessary. DRIVERS' UNIONS Some members of the now Carters' Union, who were members of the old Drivers' Union, have received from the latter demands for their subscriptions with notices appended that if the subscriptions are not paid within a certain time steps will be taken to replace the member, as the union has preference of employment. The new union is advising its members to disregard such notices. It is pointed out that it would be an anomalous position if members of the old union while refusing to work themselves could debar others from obtaining employment by the operation of a preference clause. BRICKWORKS CLOSED DOWN' Owing to the shortage of coal, Mr. Enoch Tonks's brickworks in Webbstreet, which are amongst the oldest in Wellington, have closed down. The fires, which previously had not been out for a period cf about two years, ceased at the end of last week. The coal has been principally obtained from the Grey Valley district, where the principal State mines are situated, though Mr. Tonks's supplies have generally come from other mines in that extensive area of semi-bitu-minous coal measures. About sixteen men have been thrown out of employment through the stoppage of the works. MINISTER AND SPECIALS Hon. A. L. Herdman, Minister of Justice, will address special constables at' Mount Cook Barracks to-morrow evening. It is understood that representatives of tho Employers, Farmers, and Citizens' Defence Committee will be present. Local merchants are advised by the Union Company that the Waipori, sailing at 3 p.m. to-morrow for Timaru, Dunedin, and Bluff," will be the last cargo steamer for southern ports before the Christmas holidava.