EMPLOYMENT ON WHARF

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15496, 1 January 1914, Page 8

EMPLOYMENT ON WHARF

THE NEW UNION. APPLICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP. '' 200 MEN EXAMINED. 1 COMMITTEE REJECTS 48. That the members of the old waterside -workers' union who went out on strike are anxious to resume work was shown yesterday, when 200 of them made application to enroj/in the ranks of the new arbitration union. ' Comment has been made by the arbitralionist* that federationists have been allowed to become members of the new organisation, consequently strict precautions are now being adopted to prevent any undesirables joining the union. Yesterday, a committee of seven members of the arbitration union eat in the waterside workers' waittngroom on the Queen's Wharf to deal with the applications.

The suppliant* for. employment were admitted one by one, and were subjected to close examination by the committee' as to their fitness for membership. Those displaying, or known to have displayed, strong syndicalist tendencies were given short shrift and rejected. ' The others were informed that their applications would receive due consideration.

Of the 200 men who asked to be admitted to the union, 48 were rejected. Final decision in the remainder of the cases was deferred, but should it be resolved that these men may be allowed to join the union an announcement to this effect will, made on January 5.

Several hundreds of? ex-strikers congregated ia the vicinity of the wharf all day yesterday,, and , bitter resentment was expressed towards the new union by those men who ' had been definitely " turned down." Some of these . comprised prominent leaders in the recent trouble, and men who had been employed on the wharf for a considerable time. A somewhat remarkable' feature, evidencing the poor "solidarity " of the work-seekers, was the anxiety to join the new union exhibited by many of the men who had earlier in the day proclaimed to their comrades their abhorrence of the mbitrationists. Most of them were found subsequently applying for membership, &x\i their disappointment at being refused was very marked. .'*

During the morning two or three of the late strike leaders appeared at the wharf and implored the men not to associate themselves with ttie new unionists. They made an appeal Iter those assembled to leave the wharf at once. Hon jver, the response to the, harangues was very disheartening, for only about eight or nine men (all of ;whom-had been rejected by the committee) foMowed the Advice tendered to them. The >• rest, received their old leaders coldly, ancl the result was that all day a steady stream oi men ascended the steps of ; F : shed ■■ And proceeded to;. ; \he room } where;, the ; coximittee was hearirig [the applications.

~' The committee commenced its business at 9 a.m., but by. 6 p.m., when an adjournment was made, there.•; still ? remained- a large s number■ of amplications to be heard; These are to be dealt with at nine o'clock to-morrow morning. •'' -so. ?-, 6 ''"_ ■: • ,';

.4 A general meeting, of members of the, new union is, to be held at 7.30 p.m. 'on Saturday in the wharf waitingrbom,', when} important • business is to be transacted. The membership of i the arbitration union now. stands at 1325,' 34 new members having signed on*within the last few days. .*

Many applications ' for : admission to; the union have been received through the post; but these have all been declined, as* the new . union insists ithat. all those desirous of enlisting.in Its ranks shall be personally examined by the committee. r;. J. :