POSITION IN AUCKLAND.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXV, Issue LXV, 17 November 1913, Page 5

POSITION IN AUCKLAND.

CONFLICTING STATEMENTS

AUCKLAND, Nov. 16. It is nineteen days ago since the waterside workers went on strike. Those unions which responded to the call for a general strike in Auckland have now been out of work a week. Members of fourteen unions "downed tools" when the special police took possession of the waterfront, and the number of actual strikers was put down by the strikers at 7000. Since then the seamen have given notice and left their ships, and other trades have been compelled to close down, bringing the total number of people out of work up to 8000. The tramwaymen alone represented an additional 700 thrown out of work. During the week, however, it is estimated that about 1000 men have returned.

Employers generally report an indication of anxiety on the part of the men to resume work. The strike leaders, on the other hand, deny that there is any sign of weakening, and declare that the men returning to work are not unionists.

An indication that the strike is bleeding to death was afforded by a procession of strikers and sympathisers this afternoon, into which the Strike Committee brought every available man. Four independent counts were made of the .strikers on parade, with the following result: Strike Committee 17, Federated Seamen's Union 376, waterside workers 494, drivers .324, tramway employees 148, general laborers 258, casual employees of the Harbor Board 142. carpenters and Exhibition workers 112, timber workers 60, painters 60, furniture workers 44, hotel and restaurant employees 104, bricklayers 88, municipal employees 34,' stone masons 8, engine drivers 26, news runners 20, unorganised labor and sympathisers 82: total 2495.

A meeting was afterwards held in Victoria Park, at which 4000 strikers were present, and addresses were delivered.

The chairman of the Harbor. Board reports that splendid work has been accomplished on the wharves during the past week, and that the programme originally mapped out for handling the vessels in port and their cargoes has been more than fulfilled. An extension of the activities is under consideration, but^ even if this is not decided upon, he considers that the authorities are in a position to cope with all the shipping. Since the resumption of work in connection with the Exhibition, each succeeding day has seen a larger number of men return. Saturday's activities were carried on by 163 men. Of the 400 who went on strike, 250 are expected to be at work this week.

A letter received by the Mayor contains the following: "The position in regard to the Furniture Trades Union and the strike is interesting. A special meeting was called to see what steps should be taken first. Things were put on a very firm footing as to how they wanted things to go. The air was full of strike fever, and it was very catching. It was not long before the strike leaders were holding the floor, receiving cheers for everything said, but when anyone opposed to a strike rose to speak, he was quickly cried down and collapsed into his seat, stricken with nervousness. It was proposed that a secret ballot.should be taken. This can be demanded by two members, and the proposal was supported by 50 members. This was cried down; however, and a show of hands was called, which was a hard thing to decide on. Finally a division was called, which resulted in a strike being declared by 96 votes to 45. The total number of members at the meeting was 141. The union has a membership of 400. This is how the Furniture Trades Union secured a majority in favor of a strike. A total of 96 have called 304 men out on strike. I am quite satisfied that most of the men are anxious to return to work. Some have resumed already, and others "are going back to-morrow.

The Strike Committee has obtained a legal opinion on what constitutes legitimate picketing. The position was thus stated': "It is clear that unions have a right to use pickets during the course of any trade dispute, but such pickets must act lawfully, and in so doing they will be acting,, .peaceably. It seems that all pickets may do is merely to obtain or communicate information in respect of the strike to those workers who are, or may be presumed to be, affected by the strike. There must be no persuading or otherwise preventing persons who so desire from working."