THE INDUSTRIAL CRISIS

Evening Star, Issue 15344, 19 November 1913, Page 6

THE INDUSTRIAL CRISIS

WORK PROCEEDS AT DITNEDIN THE ARBITRATIONISTS REINI\ RCED The Birch street wharf was again to-day the scene of agreeable activity. The strength of tho new workers was fcrtifixl by four additions when operations commenced, £-nd it is kinown that at least a dozen more will be available to-morrow. They, however, are not recruits from the watersides who "went out" three weeks ago. Ttaee, for the most part, are still the victims of the sense of loyalty that prompted their first move. At noon the Mceraki had discharged 600 of the 800 tons etowed in her hatches, and she will probably be an empty ship by 5 o'clock. It is likely that the Corinna will be shifted to Birch street wharf tomorrow morning, and the 30 tons she contains should scon be in the sheds. There is plenty of work to oc;upy the new union for 10 days, the Taviuni (700 tons of coal), the Kamo (800 tons of coal), and the Waitomo (1,200 tons of coal) being still full ships. Messrs Huddart-Parkcr's steamer Victoria was moored between the Mrerahi and tho Taviuni at 8.15 this morning, and her discharge will also begin when labor is available. THE STRIKERS PASSIVE. A PICKET BOARDS THE MOERAKI. The strength of the police on duty at. the barricades varies between 12 and 20 men, and these have not been troubled in any way by the strikers, who have loyally maintained an impassive attitude that is not- without dignity. About 8 o'clock last night a. picket penetrated the defence, and boarded tho Moeraki. It is stated that he made for the forecastle with the object of speaking to the billeted Arbitrationists, but found none there, and on his way back to the gangway he was met by th'e master, and retired when ordered to leave the vessel. The only incident of any note this morning was caused by the rather audibly expressed opinion of a visitor, who evidently thought that the men on the wharf (not bi- _ any means exclusively composed of strikers) should be prevented from remaining on the waterfront, where they were peacefully engaged in fishing or conversation, and in no way importing danger into the situation. _ The net result of this expression of opinion was a heated protest by a bystander. It need not be said that the police did not havo any intention of interfering with the peaceful pursuit* of the citizens on the waterfront. A BLOW IN' THE DARK. The carrying done from the wharves yesterday was largely undertaken by Messrs Spencer and Dunkley and the Empire Carrying Company, the former lifting ahout 20 tons of macaroni, tea, and quarter-casks of wine, and the latter delivering 6 or 7 tons of merchandise to City consignees. Some time between 8 and 10*.30 last night the windows of both these firms' premises were broken with road metal. Carrying was resumed by several firms without' opposition to-day, and neither of tho firms whose premises were injured attributes tho rather paltry act of sabotage to tho actual strikers. THE SPECIALS. There are about 150 mounted specials at Tahuna Park. Tho strikers have pickets posted, but everything is peaceful. TRANSMISSION THROUGH POST. For the last few days the officials of the Post Office parcels department have been extremely busy. Many consignors, unable, to send their goods by ship, have resorted to the parcel post as the means of transmission, ami as a result the office of that department has been fairly flooded witii parcels of all descriptions, one official estimating that twice tho ordinary number of parcels are being received. FURTHER TROUBLE AT WELLINGTON. A CHARGE BY SPECIALS. THE SQUARE CLEARED. MOUNTED MAN HAS HIS LEG BROKEN. CITY HOTELS CLOSED. [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON. November 19. Between 2,000 and 3,000 strikers and others assembled in the Post Office square this morning at 8.30. Some of the men started "boohooing" a. squad of 12 mounted men. The clamor increased, and the mounted men were instructed to clear the square. They advanced on the mob at a half-trot, with their batons raised. The crowd spread, a large number assembled at the corner near the Pier Hotel. To disperse these the specials had to charge arid use their batons. One of the horses slipped, throwing his rider (Bai, of Pahiatua). and falling on him. Bai sustained a broken leg. and was taken to the hospital. Meanwhile the mob scattered. More mounted men arrived, and with the regulars completely cleared the square and the adjacent streets of loiterers.

Charles Johnson, who had seized a special's baton, was arrested. None of the men batoned were seriously hurt. At 11 o'clock all the city hotels were closed. Work is proceeding steadily at the wharves. STRIKE LEADERS JN COURT, FURTHER REMANDED. BAIL AGAIN REFUSED. WELLINGTON, November 19. The strike leaders, who were charged wit'i sedition and other offences, appeared in tho Magistrate's Court on remand late this morning. All were remanded till the 28th November, as counsel for the defence was not ready to proceed. Bail was refused on the summary charges on all cases, so that Barker (who was arrested at Auckland ] is now also in custody. Holland protested' at not being allowed bail, but the Magistrate ordered his removal from the court with the others. Another arrest was effected in the square this afternoon, a man named Shrave. who is charged with using obscene language to specials, being taken into custody. The clubs, as well as the hotels, are shut. "INCIDENTS IN COURT. [Special to the Star.] WELLINGTON, November 19. ■Som-? of the mcruted specials have developed the skill of regulars, lightly bmshin:.' the fringes of the crowds who were, oncroaching on the roadway and in the square. W. T. Young was annoyed at the length of the ren and, ar.d snapped his fingers de fiantlv at the Court. Holland protested passionately at the refusal to allow bail, and railed vehemently, till the impassive, imperturable Magistrate said coldly: "Remove that man." Scmplo seemed cheerfully restored to his temporary exile from the" fighting front.. STRIKE NOTES. [Special to the Star.] WELLINGTON, November 19. Though the specials acted temperately in the Square, their batons made an audible tattoo on the heads of obstinate strikers. The moral effect was instantaneous. The locality was briskly patrolled for hours afterwards, but the horsemen had no other exercise. The licensees of the smaller hotels, especially in the suburbs, complain of dwindling business. Some are particuI larly dismal because they dispensed considerable liquor on credit, expecting a speedy end to the strike. The Licensing Act prevents publicans from recovering a debt for liquor consumed on the premises, except by boarders. The value of the cargo on the Athenic, which sailed for London, was £305.634. The butter and cheese was valued at [£254.000. _ . _ .

THE" SPECIALS ON THE ALERT. ' [Special to the Stab.] WELLINGTON. November 19. Elaborate precautions were taken to exclude the idly curious at the Magistrate's Court when the sedition cases came on. There was a strong force of mounted and foot specials and regulars, who were marshalled on the footpath and in the street.. The crowd took the hint philosophically, and there was no disorder. The specials were evidently stimulated by the incidents of last night and this morning, and the patrols have now a very alert and businesslike appearance, which, being interpreted, means, even to the dull-witted, that anybody looking for trouble can find plenty. A striker was arrested this morning. He earned a bludgeon loaded with lead. COLLAPSING AT AUCKLAND. THE WHARVES BUSY. SAWMILLS RESUME ON FRIDAY. [Per United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, November 19. Business is very active at the wharves. The Tongariro has been berthed to discharge 7,000 tons of London cargo. The Kaituna arrived from Fiji, and is discharging her perishable fruit. Good progress is being made with the loading of the Muritai and the Makura, The Sawmillers' Association decided that all mills should resume work on Friday. LYTTELTON QUIET. NORTHERN WORKING WITH HER OWN CREW. STRIKERS' INTENTIONS FRUSTRATED. [Per United Press Association.] LYTTELTON, November 19. The morning at Lyttelton was quiet. The Northern, working with her own crew, started about 8 o'clock. About 40 strikers trooped to the wharf with the intention of going on to the Northern, but a squad of four polios interfered, and the men were advised to go away by the leaders, so they departed! A large meeting of strikers was held in the Oddfellows' Hall afterwards. About noon the steward of tho Pateena, who wore a. white coat, was struck while going through the crowd. His lip was cut, but he did not receive severe injury. Another steward, who was not conspicuously attired, passed without molestation. Sergeant Ryan appeared, and the strikers made no attempt, to follow the whitecoated steward. The morning, otherwise, was quiet. The Strike Commitl© adjourned their meeting temporarily out of respect to the late Mr Laurenson. POSITION AT CHRISTCHURCH SPECIALS ASSEMBLING. ■AUTHORITIES REFUSE INFORMATION. TRAMWAY MEN LOYAL. [Per United Press Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, November 19. Mr H. W. Bishop, S.M., will swear in the special constables this afternoon, but it is stated that ho will not allow re- | porters or the public to be present. He says that he does not intend to have the men pilloried for doing their duty. It. is assumed that the specials will bo taken to Lyttelton to-morrow r.orning. Stores are being conveyed to the Addington camp where Major Chaffey, officer j commanding, _ and members of tho Citizens' Committee are busily Tents are being erected. The city specials received orders to go into camp to-day with blankets and equipment. The balance of the country specials are expected this afternoon and evening. The tramway men meet to-morrow to consider the position. Efforts are being made to induce the Tramways Union to support the strikers, but, apparently the majority of the tramway men are not favorable to drastic action.

Mr J. T. Pram, secretary of the Southland Farmers' Union, has received the following telegram from Mr Mafisev : "Many thanks to nvmbere of the Southland Executive of the Farmers' Union for kind telegram transmitting resolution expressing appreciation of tho action of the Government in connection with present unfortunate industrial difficulty. We have done what we believe to be best in the interests of tho country as a whole in preserving law and ruder, and keeping the commerce of the country going.—W. F. Massey."