AFFAIRS IN AUCKLAND.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXV, Issue LXV, 8 December 1913, Page 5

AFFAIRS IN AUCKLAND.

CHAIRMAN OF THE HAR*BOR BOARD ON THE SITUATION.

*■-■•" AUCKLAND, Dec. 8. All the available berthage in the port was occupied on Saturday, and cargohandling proceeded satisfactorily. Some little, excitement was caused at the corner 6f Customs street west and Queen street, when a detachment of mounted "specials" and two mounted uniformed police commenced to clear tEe side-walk. It seems that men, who were thought to be strike pickets, had congregated at the corners, and were making remarks to a number of working men who passed in and out of a business place in Queen street. Several times during the morning the police returned and adopted'< the same measures in effecting a clearance.

The week has been a quiet but busy ficient number of, mounted' and foot Board (Mr J. H. Gunson), when reviewing developments in connection with the industrial troubles. "Gradually the protective force necessary three or four weeks ago has been reduced, but a sufficient number-of mounted and foop specials is being retained to meet any contingency which may arise.' The position is such that, should necessity arise, adequate protection, can be commanded at any moment."

, "As far as we are concerned," added Mr-.-Gunson,. "the trouble in Australia, viewed from a purely local standpointis not nearly so serious as was the dislocation of the local coastal trade, and the interruption of South Island communication. Moreover, communication with Europe and other oversea ports is much more important to us than trade with Australia, and the inconvenience is not nearly so great as some people believe. In fact, the Australian trouble has been robbed of most of its significance, now that coal supplies for New Zealand, apart altogether from the local mines, are assured from Japan and South America, places where Australasian industrial troubles are of no moment at all."