A STRIKE INCIDENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8354, 6 September 1890, Page 5

A STRIKE INCIDENT.

OFFICERS AND THE WELLINGTON POST. [BY TELEGRAPH.PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Friday. In reference to the attack on the Evening Post's board it appears that a line appeared on tho contents board referring to the rumour widely spread about town that the officers intended to return to the Union Company. This rumour had been made public by the morning paper, and had not been officially denied. Captain High man and some six or seven officers tore off the portion of the notice containing the obnoxious announcement. They then went to interview the editor, who was not in, and tho proprietors were sent for. Tho Post thus describes what followed:—"The officers demanded to have the erroneous statement corrected, adding it had led to their being hooted in the street. It was a fact that nob a single officer had returned to the company. Messrs. Blundell asked why the officers had not come to them before damaging the board. Tho officers answered they were not going to have false assertions made about them, and justified their action, at the same time accusing the Evening Post of exhibiting partiality in favour of the Union Company. Mr. Henry Blundell indignantly repudiated the charge of partiality, and added that the Post was a perfectly independent paper ; was not, and never had been, bound to any individual, any company, or any bank, and throughout its career had always been anxious to give fair play to all sides. Thoy had maintained this attitude during the present strike, and meant to adhere to it. The attack made on tho board could not be tolerated, and those who had been concerned in it would have to answer for their action. He had now to tell them the board would be immediately pub out again. Captain Highman : " Not with the line about us on it?" Mr. H. Blundell: "Certainly, with all that was on ib before." Captain Highman: "Then I'm sorry for it. Will you consent to add a line that the officers deny it ?" Mr. Blundell : " No ; you are only a few of the officers. I will say, if you like that Captain Highman says it is incorrect. Will that satisfy you Capt. Highman having conferred with his companions, said they would be satisfied with what Mr. Blundell proposed. The officers then took their departure, Mr. Blundell having undertaken &o see the board altered as agreed upon, ah. to institute enquiries into the facts of the case. The interview had occupied about half-an-hour, and during that time a crowd had surged in front of the Evening Post office, waiting to see the upshot of the little contretemps. When the board was ready to bo reinstated, Mr. Henry Blundell personally superintended its fixture, and his appearance was the signal for some good-natured chart", and soine cheering when the two statements were seen. There was no further demonstration, and ten minutes afterwards the crowd had melted away. The Post " unequivocally condemned what is really an attempt to gag the press and tamper with true liberty of speech and thought." The Evening Press says :—" No body of men have ever had less reason to complain of want of publicity, and truthful and impartial reports, than tho labour bodies of Now Zealand during tho pre3ent struggle."