QUIET MORNING HOURS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8561, 25 October 1913, Page 5

QUIET MORNING HOURS

TROUBLE BEGINS AT MIDDAY. WORKERS THREATENED. At 8 a.m. yesterday everything was quiet. Several boats were working, per medium of the services of permanent men and free labourers. The pickets, astir from an early hour, kept a close watch at their various posts, and in this connection it was noticeable that the Union Company's buildings (whither it was probably expected free labourers would gq in quest of employment) were receiving special attention. The strike committee was in session, and the union offices presented an animated appearance. The men outside argued among themselves and onoo or twice fights, flaring out of these controversies, were promptly quelled by the non-combatants gathered around. The men were plainly anxious to prevent any disorder. At 11 a.m. the band was playing merrily, and most of the- men were giving it their attention. A rumour, spread early, was rapidly gaining ground that the drivers were going to cease work at midday. It was succeeded by another rumour that the strike would bo declared off in the afternoon, but this statement, incredulously received, proved on investigation to be quite without foundation. The momentary fights were still occuring intermittently, but no sooner had they commenced than the participants were pounced upon by their comrades and dragged aphrt. When they were released they wormed among the crowd looking for each other again (something of a needle in a haystack search), and eo the morning passed. RUSH ON TO THE WHARF. The first trouble occurred during the luncheon adjournment. Most of the men working on the boats were clerks from the offices of the various shipping companies, and the strikers decided that they would pay some of these men a visit. Without warning, they rushed the wharf gates, swarming up at the open space. The police and Harbour Board officials did their best, but they wore swept away by the force of the concerted rush, and the men, romping pell mell on to the wharf, made for the coastal steamer Defender. Here four members of the office staff of Messrs Bannatyne and Co. were working the cargo, under Mr Kitching. In the scuffle which immediately occurred, Mr Kitching was struck at, and he returned the blows. Matters were becoming serious, when the wharfinger (Mr Munro) and other officials arrived and stopped the trouble. The crowd proceeded to F shed, where, after much noise, some order was restored. The union officials urged the men to preserve order, and after Mr Munro Lad spoken to them, they agreed to leave the wharf provided the four free labourers left also. A guarantee of “safe conduct” for tie free workers was given, and they were assured that they would bo permitted to return unmolested to their office. This promise was observed, and the workers returned through the crowd, meeting with nothing worse than a vigorous hooting and some ironical cheering.