WATERSIDE WORKERS' STRIKE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15937, 3 December 1913, Page 6

WATERSIDE WORKERS' STRIKE.

GOOD WORK AT THE .WHARVES.

ARBITRATION UNION

GROWING.

STRIKE COMMITTEE

RESIGNS

NEW COMMITTEE

APPOINTED

MEETING OP SEAMEN

TO-DAY,

THE OPAWA'S FIREMEN

COMMITTED FOR TRIAL

MEETINGS IN SYDNEY,

BOYCOTT OF NEW ZEALAND

CARGO

ARBITRATION URGED

FEELING OF UNIONISTS

There was a, consderablo increase yesterday in the number of the arbitration workers at tho wharves, and tho loading and unloading of cargo from the different vessels proceeded steadily all day, good progress being made. Some of'tho men, of courcc, aro not yet fully accomplished in the art of expeditiously handling cargo, but, as 'one of tho officials stated yesterday, they are improving all tho time, and aro all anxious to learn.

It was decided to hold over the further unloading of tho 800 tons of coal in tho Kamo (at the Birch' street wharf) in the meantime, tho men told off for this work being distributed amongst tho other steamers. About 100 tons of the coal had boon taken out when the -work was suspended. About 45 men were apportioned to the Victoria, which was shifted yesterday morning from the Rattray street wharf to tho Cross wharf, and the 87 tons of Buncdin cargo aboard her wero cniickly unloaded. A start was then made in putting aboard general cargo for Lyttelton and Wellington, and it is expected that, the Victoria will be a, full ship early this afternoon, and that she will sail shortly after. The company is also booking passengers as far as Wellington.

The crew of fte Victoria were give:.' leave of absence yesterday so that the wrvrk of unloading the vessel might bo proceeded with uninterruptedly, but .as the men's articles do not expire till the vessel reaches Sydney it is not anticipated that there will bo any difficulty in getting the 6eamen and firemen to fall to when tho time arrives for tho Victoria to cast off her lines.

Five hatches were worked on the Turakina. at tho Victoria wharf, and, with the ship's crew, about 80 men were busy unloading the 4000 odd tons of cargo aboard her. At tho close of tho day some 600 or 700 tons had been got out, and it is expected that sio will bo fully unloaded early next week.

The Dorset is also moored at the Victoria wharf. Three hatches were worked on this steamer, some 52 men, including members of the crew, being engaged in tho unloading. About 350 or 400 tons was ti c tally for tho day. and before tho end of the week she should be clear of inward cargo. Included in the shipments landed yesievday wero about 2700 cases and casks of whisky.

At the present time there are 130 srbitra-. tionists enrolled and working at the wharves, and as another batch of men were engaged yesterday, it is estimated that the actual number of men to turn to this'morning "ill total fully 150. Several of the men are from tiie country, andlire of very fino physique. As an indication of the number of men new boarding on the Moeraki, several more sleeping mattresses had to be taken down ye.-ter-dav to the house boat.

Amongst tho cargo discharged from tho Tnrakina yesterday wore tho red deer sent to the Otago Acclimatisation Society from Mr C. J. Lucas's Warnham Court F<inn, Sussex. Tho consignment consisted of six hinds and one stag, and all were landed ui, first-class condition. Two of the hinds were at once conveyed to tho Botanical Gardens, and the remainder were taken by train in the afternoon to Mr Telford's station at Waiwera. VESSELS TO ARRIVE. AN UNBARRICADED WHARF. The Mimiro, from Lyttelton, is expected to arrive this morning, and will be berthed at, tho southern end of the Rattray _ street wharf. A departure will be made in tho unloading of this steamer, in that the wharf hero will not be barricaded. The police, however, will be on duty at the wharf. _ 'Kio Kaiapoi is duo to arrive to-day with transhipments from Wellington. She will probably be moored at the Cross wharf a<"ter the Victoria gcte away. Tho Waitomo is expected to arrive to-day from Bluff. She is to load general cargo for northern ports. NEW STRIKE COMMITTEE APPOINTED. OLD COMMITTEE RESIGNS. At a meeting of the Waterside Workers' Union yesterday afternoon tho present six members of tho Strike Committee asked to bo allowed to resign their positions. This action was -voluntarily taken by the members of tho committee as an act of good faith to those bondsmen who had come forward with tho nerceary recognisances asked for by the magistrate in the case heard on Monday, as a guarantee that they would keep the peace for six month:-. The resignations were accepted, and a new Strike Committee was appointed. The members of the old Strike Committee ask us to thank those pcntlemcn who were good enough to come forward and act as bondsmen for them. , _ , , An error, which affected tho sense somewhat materially, occurred by inadvertence in our summary yesterday of tho remarks of the magistrate in intimating his decision upon the lyosocution of members the j Dirnedin Strike Committee. Mr Bartholo- j mew was reported to have said: "There j (vould have been no occasion for these pro- ; needing if the sentiments to which tho j Accused had given expression and honestly j held by them were shared by the large ! body of workers in tho city." What he i said v?as: "Thero would have been np occasion for these proceedings if the sentiments to which the .accused had given expression were honestly held by them and shared by the largo body of workers in tho city whom they represented." SEAMEN'S UNION. AN IMPORTANT MEETING. Messrs Mackie and Jack, representing tho Auckland branch of the Seamen's Union, "and Messrs J. Baker and J. Shepherd, Wellington delegates, arrived by tho second express from the north last night. Thip afternoon they will attend a mooting of the seamen at present in Dunedin, when some important "developments are expected. There are fully 400 seamen in Duncdin just now. THE MOUNTED SPECIALS. STRENGTH REDUCED. Some 60 local and country specials returned home yesterday from the camp at Tahuna Park, it being considered that their services are no longer required. Over.loo men, however, are still in tho camp.

Many dealers push the liquor that pays them best without considering the reputation of their house.

The discreet customer, always names his brand and insists on getting it.

" WHITE HORSE " Whisky stands for quality and value, and should always ba asked for.—Adrt.

BREACH OP THE PEACE. ANOTHER WORKER BOUND OVER. FINED FOR USING OBSCENE LANGUAGE. Arthur Tuffin, for whom Mr B. S. Irwin appeared, was charged before Mr H. Y. Widdowson, S.M., at the City Police Court ygjterday, with having, on November 28, used obscene language in a public place, to. wit, tho Kitchener street wharf, and also with having, on tho same date, used threatening behaviour on the Kitchener street wharf whereby a breach of tho peace might have been occasioned. Tho accused pleaded guilty to the 6rst charge, and elected to be dealt with summarily. Sub-Inspector Fouhy said they were also asking for sureties of the peace. Mr Irwin said the facts wero tho same in both cases, but he did not think ho would be right in consenting to tho accused being bound over to keep the peace. Mr Widdowson said there would have to be some evidence placed before tho court in regard to the second charge. John Charles Walters stated that on November 28 he was engagod in driving tho winch on tho after hatch of the InvercargilL The accused came along_ the wharf, and used tho language complained _of to him, and threatened him with violenco when he camo off tho boat. He said; "When you are ashore we will well murder you, you scab. Witness also repeated a groat deal of languago that was made use of.

Mr Irwin: You had a heated conversation, didn't you? Witness: Not at all. '

Mr Irwin: You said to-day all that you said on that occasion, and ho said what you havo stated to tho court?

Witness: Yes.

Mr Irwin: Ho said "we" didn't he?

Witness: No, not at first; but he said "we " afterwards, meaning that the strikers would deal with me. '

Mr Irwin: Are you afraid of him? Witness; Well, man to man, I am not afraid of him.

Mr Irwin: You said as much the day i Tuffin interfered with you, didn't you? ; Witness: I told him that if my back was j all right I would deal with him. He re- | plied: "We will will kill you. and chop < you to pieces. The rest (meaning tho j others working on the ship) are bad j onough, but you aro worse." A constable j then came along and removed tho accused. ; Mr Irwin: You had always found Tuffin ! all right until ho camo along spoke to you in the way you have describod? Witness: Yes. I am sorry to see him in tho position ho is in to-day. Mr Irwin submitted that this was not a case in which sureties shoidd be ordered. Tho present charge was not a very serious one, and the language was used by a man j somewhat under the .influence of liquor and j oxcitoment to a man whom he was robbing him of his bread and butter. It was not tlw obscene adjectives, but the noun that had insulted Walters. He submitted that if the court thought it possible that there would bo a repetition of this conduct; it might order the accused to 'como up for sentence when called upon, and then, if he did not behave himself, he could be ibrought up and sentenced for tho present olFcnco. ' The accused was not a man who was only a casual wharf labourer, but ho was regularly employed on the wharf, and ho had been working there for years. There was nothing against him, except that lie had' been convicted once or twice for drunkenness. Ho was under the influence of liquor on the day that he got into this trouble, and he blundered accidentally on to the wharf and spoke to Walton. Ho regretted having got himself into this position, and he (counsel) was satisfied that there would be no repetition of the offence. Tho accused was not acting on instructions received from tho committee, and if he had not been somewhat under the infiuenco of liquor ho would not havo gone on to the wharf. Ho suggested that a very small fine would meet the case, and that tho accused bo ordered to come up for sentence when called upon. Sub-Inspector Fouhy said the feature of this case was that tho accused managed to cludo the police and got dn to tho wharf. Ho would not tell the polico how he got there.

Mr Widdowspn said it had been sufficiently proved that this man should ho bound over to keep the peace, aniHn addition ho would be fined £3, with costs (12s) for obscene language, in default threo weeks' imprisonment. On tho second charge he would be ordered to enter into a recognisance of £50 and find one surety of £50 or two of £25 each to keep the peace for six months. i OPERATIONS IN WELLINGTON. ] HAMPERED BY RAIN.' \ (Per United Press Association.) ' ' WELLINGTON, December 2. < rtain inteiiered a good deal with work on • the wharves to-dav. ' { THE WATERSIDE WORKERS. OVER 1700 MEMBERS IN NEW UNION. J (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, December 2. The new Waterside Workers' Union -.ow has a membership of over 1700. Of these, about 200 are working at sea temporarily, and an equal number have returned to their country homes, so that 1300 are available for work on the wharves. It is said that nearly 200 members of the old union have joined the new body, and are at work. NEW DRIVERS' UNION. TWO HUNDRED AND EIGHTY MEMBERS. MANY VACANCIES FILLED. (Pun United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, December 2. The new Drivers' Union is now 280 strong Seventy members enrolled to-day, half of whom belonged to the old union. Many of the vacancies which occurred among the employees of the carrying firms have row been filled, the employers ftcing bound to give preference .to members ot the new organisation. THE LINER OPAWA. VOLUNTEER FIREMEN. PLENTY OF MEN AVAILABLE (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, December 2. Plenty of volunteers are offering to man tho stokehold of tho Homo Uner Opawa, and it is expected that tho vessel will get away to-morrow at noon. BRICKLAYERS' ATTITUDE. OPPOSITION TO ARBITRATION LABOUR. (Pee United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, December 2. At a meeting of the Bricklayers' Union last night a secret b.illot was taken on tho question of removing tho embargo at present placed on material which has been handled by the newly-formed unions. The vote was in favour of tho embargo remaining. | HANNAH'S BOOT .FACTORY. i WORK TO BE RESUMED. I |Pee United Press Association.) ! WELLINGTON, December 2. I Messrs R. Hannah and Co.'s boot factory wilt gradually resume work, starting from to-morrow. Tho largo number of men and women employed by the firm wero compelled to bo idle through the strike holding up large quantities of leather and other materials required in manufacture, UNFORTUNATE SUFFERERS. DEMAND FOR CHARITABLE AID. (Peii United Press -Association.) WELLINGTON, December 2. The Charitable Aid Board is already feel- ! ing the effects of tho strike. i The bread distributed is now double 'the I quantity usually given in relief, and tho i demand upon other articles given to tho needy poor has aJso greatly increased. In this connection it has been stated by married men in receipt of strike relief that they are worse off than singlo men, inasmuch as tho latter have tickets given to them for throe moals a day, whereas tho married men have only groceries, and have '' to find sufficient meat and bread for therni selves. , THE STREET DISTURBANCES. i SERIES OF CHARGES. (Per United Press Association.) j WELLINGTON, December 2. At the Magistrate's Court to-day Albert Anderson, a wharf labourer on strike, was r charged with: (1) On November 18, taking ) part in an unlawful assembly in Manners street; (2) assaulting a epeoial constable;

(3) on October 24, taking part in a not on the Queen's wharf; (4) on October 24, assaulting Arthur Hardy Kitching. Harry Evans, tolls clerk and an employee of the Harbour Board, gave evidence that on October 24 the gates of the wharf were closed owing to the strike. About 10 o'clock tlie accused went through a gate, and turning to the crowd outside the gates exhorted them to come down on to the Defender. A number of men got through before the gates could be closed, and in the rush witness was knocked over. Arthur Hardy Kitching, shipping clerk, said he was assisting to unload the Defender, and had occasion to go into the F shed. While he was there a howling mob of 130 men rushed in. His truck was knocked out of liis hand, and ho was pushed over it from behind. Several men began to punch him, and the accused struck him several blows in the face. The wharfinger (Mr. Munro) interfered, and got him away from his assailants. Witness was ill for some time as tho result of his injuries. Archibald Munro, chief wharfinger, also gave evidence. He said ho saw Kitching struck by the accused and hustled by tire crowd. To Mr O'Rcgan: The strikers through their pickets had been warned on more than one occasion of "no admittance" to the

wharf. Other witnesses gave corroborative evidence. The accused pleaded "Not guilty," and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial on the indictable charge of taking part in a riot. Counsel _ entered a plea of " Not guilty " in connection with the fourth charge-that of assaulting Kitching—and entered a piea for leniency on account of his good character and the fact that he had lost his head for tho time being. " These matters must bo settled by other means than force," commented Ms Worship in sentencing the accused to one month's imprisonment. He also ordered the accused to be bound over in two. sureties of £25 each to keep tluc peace for six months. The remaining charges were then proceeded with. Tho evidence for the prosecution was thnt a special const-able was accosted in Manners street by the accused, who asked. " Do vou know anything about this trouble on the wharf?" Tho special replied in the negative, whereupon the accused caught hold of his coat and said: "Come here,' I want to speak to you." With that the accused struck him and endeavoured to trip him. . A crowd of about 40 people immediately surged round the special. He was hemmed in on all sides, and when ho and a companion went to get away he was followed by an angry crowd, which wa6 shouting, " Let us got at them!" In his evidence the special said he saw the accused next day while he (witness) was on duty outside the police station. He pointed the accused out to a detective, who arrested him. Witness was positive as to the identity of the accused. Counsel for tho accused here consulted with his client, and at the suggestion of Inspector Hendry told him that if lie pleaded guilty to the assault ho (the inspector) would consider tho propriety of withdrawing tho more serious charge. The accused, however, explained counsel, emphatically denied that ho had been in Manners street on the occasion in question, or had anything to do with the offence at

all. x - , . The accused pleaded "Not guilty, and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial on the indictable charge. In his defence of the assault case the J accused set up an alibi. When examined ( by the inspector the accused was unable to j give the name of any person with whom he had been on the afternoon, of the alleged offence. He did net know them. Part of . the time, lie alleged, he was at his home, , where he was 6cen by another man named j Nelson. It was possible that he (the accused) | had been so drunk that he had been in Manners street, but lie could not recollect . it. | Mr O'Rogan explained that he had seen , Nelson, but ho was not able to corroborate ( accused's statement, as the incident took ; -place some weeks ago, and he could not now recollect the circumstances. The Magistrate convicted the_ accused, ', fining him £5, with the alternative of 21 , days' imprisonment. ■ THE OPAWA'S FIREMEN. j COMMITTED FOR TRIAL BAIL ALLOWED, (Pbji Uumtii I'RF.sa Association.) WELLINGTON, December 2. At the Magistrate's Court to-day 14- firemen on the steamer Opawa were charged with combining to disobey the lawful commands of the master of "the vessel and to neglect their duty and impede the navigation of the Gtcamcr and the progress of her voyage. The accused were—William . C. Tillcy, Harry Horn, John Hanmore, Edward Sullivan, James Mulholland, Anton Schultzs, Axel Hertig, William Wiikins, James Barnard. John Barton, Harry Totham, James Chadwick, Alfred Stevens, and David Cook. After evidence had been given by the captain, chief officer, and second engineer of the vessel, all the accused were committed for trial. Bail was allowed, each in £50, except Hertig, in whoso case it was fixed-at £100. SUPPLIES OF COAL. ■ CARGOES FROM SOUTH AFRICA AND INDIA. [Van United I'bess Association.) WELLINGTON, December 2. Two more cargoes of coal, .totalling about 15.000 tons, will leave on their voyage to New Zealand within a few days. This coal is coming from Calcutta, and is described as being very fair quality gasproducing coal. It is duo in Wellington about the middlo of January. The 15,000 tons of Transvaal coal, which is already on its way to Wellington, was allotted to purchasers by the Defence Committee some days ago. ' Already orders have been received for a largo portion of the Calcutta shipment. ALLEGATIONS DENIED. EMPLOYERS EXPLAIN THEIR • ATTITUDE. MESSAGES TO SYDNEY. (Pee United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, December 2. Tho Employers' Federation despatched the following cable messages to-night,:— " To Mr Hotmail, Premier of New South Wales :- " The Wellington Employers' Federation and tho Citizens' Defence Committee desire to give an emphatic denial to the statement of the Federation of Labour representatives that the employers of the dominion are opposed to organised labour, and wish to assure that, on tho contrary, they are encouraging and supporting the registration of workers' union 3 under the Industrial Conciliation arid Arbitration Act, and desire to impress upon your Government that a 6 all cargo is being handled by arbitration unionists there is absolutely no reason why Australian unionists should refuse to work New Zealand ships at Sydney or elsewhere, or to precipitate the crisis indicated in to-day's cables as being imminent. That being the case, it is hoped you will use every endeavour to have the embargo on New Zealand vessels removed without delay. Tho committee will gladly supply you with ajiy information on a request being made from the chairman." "To Mr Hughes, M.P., Sydney: — "The Employers' Defence Committee desires emphatically to contradict the Federation of Labour representatives' statement that the New Zealand employers are opposed to organised labour. The fact that all cargo is being handled by arbitration unionists should result in New Zealand vessels being worked by Australian unionists, and should convince the Labour leaders that no reason exists for the industrial crisis which rabies indicate as imminent in Australia.—Foster, chairman." POSITION IN AUCKLAND, SHORTAGE OF SEAMEN AND FIREMEN. APPLICATIONS FOR WORK ON WHARVES. 1 (Per United Press Association.) ' AUCKLAND, December 2. , . Tho position in Auckland remains unal- . tored so far as the etriko is concerned. ' Work on the waterfront proceeds as if , nothing had happened, and but for tho , fact that there are not sufficient seamen or , firemen to man the coastal and intercolonial ' boats, and that there is a shortage in tho ranks of inoro skilled and experienced carters, tho conditions would be just the same as at ordinary times Thero has been not a suggestion that members of the Seamen's Union in Auckland have yielded in any particular from tho attitudo which they originally look up with regard to the means employed to open the waterfront. t The great majority of tho waterside i workers who were members of tho old union f have beeji similarly firm, but in the ease 3 of tho latter their places - have for tho most i part been filled. Many waterside- workers

are, therefore, so far as the labour market is concerned, in the ranks of ,tho unemployed.

On the waterfront to-day progress waa considerably hindered by rainy weather. During yesterday afternoon and to-day there have been a large number of applications from members of the old Waterside Workers' Union for work on the wharves. Each applicant for work is required to give particulars of his last employment and the reason why lie left. After three days he is balloted for by members of the new union. With last night and to-day's figures the total number of applicants is now over 200. The barquontine Ysabel arrived to-day from Nukualofa with a cargo of copra and other island merchandise.

A wireless message from the Mahcno states that the steamer will not reach Auckland till 7 am. to-morrow.

AUCKLAND RAILWAY EMPLOYEES.

NO SYMPATHY FOR THE STRIKERS.

(Per United Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, December 2.

The attitude of the railway servants in Auckland towards the strike was defined on Saturday evening.

A requisition signed by 49 members was made to the secretary asking that a special meeting should be held to diccuss the matter. About '70 members wore present. Propositions were made that a levy should be struck and voluntary subscriptions collected for the strike fund, but these were rejected by 60 votes to 8. A motion expressing sympathy with tho strike was also defeated, only a few members voting for it.

It was decided that if necessary assistance should be given to those members of tho Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants in Lyttelton and Timaru who had been rendered idle owing to lack of work on the wharves where they were casually employed.

POSITION AT LYTTELTON.

SEVERAL VESSELS SAIL.

(Peg United Press Association.)

CHRISTCHURCH, December 2. Matters in Lyttelton to-day were again uneventful, and work proceeded on the waterfront without interruption.

Tho Kairaki, Opouri, Petone, Pateena. Cygnet, and Wakatu sailed last night, and the Tyser liner Mimiro at 6.30 this morning for Dunedin. The Kairaki, Cygnet, and Wukatu had full cargoes, and the other steamers were partly loaded. The Opouri having gone to Timaru to fill up, the Petone took a locomotive and other railway material to Wellington. At 8 o'clock the Wahinc arrived from Wellington, and brought a fairly large quantity of cargo, including transhipments. She .is loading about 100 tons of caigo for Wellinston.

After tho departure of the Mimiro, _ the Norwegian steamer Titania, which arrived yesterday from Bunbury, was brought in from tho stream, and was berthed at No. 6 wharf. The Titania is a turret-dock steamer, and is loaded with about 2,000.000 ft of jarrah. She was to start discharging this afternoon.

The Corinthic is making steady progress with the dischargo of her cargo. She has a fair quantity of wool, frozen meat, and dairy produce to load, but it is expected that sire will be ready to sail on Saturday for Auckland, Gisborne, and Wellington _to complete loading for London. In addition to wool, meat, and other cargo, the Corinthic will take a record shipment of butter and cheese from New' Zealand to London. Her cargo will include no less than 96,000 boxes of butter.

There remains only a small quantity ot ironwork to be landed from tho Rimutaka to complete her discharge. The vessel is loading wool, butter, \ cheC6o, meat, and grain, and will sail on Thursday for Bluff and Wellington to complete loading.

The fleet of ships in harbour to-day was as follows:-—Wahino, Kowhai, H.M.S. Pyramtis, Rimutaka, Kini, Canopus, Storm, Remuera, Karamu, Titania, Marere, Corinthic, Eliza Firth, Morning Light, Aratapu, Eunice, Lily, Annie Hill, To Anan. Tho Kaitangata and Flora were in the stream. . THE ARBITRATION UNION. STRIKERS LIKELY TO JOIN. (Pee United Pnrss Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, December 2. Very few of the strikers were in evidence about the streets this morning, and the town wears a dull and almost deserted appearance. So far none of the men on striko has gone over to tho new union, but as many of them arc growing tired of idleness it is fully expected that they will join up with the working forces'very shortly. Last night 170 men answered the roll call of the new union, and 30 more went to Lyttelton and joined the union this morning. THE LYTTELTON HOTELS. APPLICATION FOR REOPENING. (Pub United peesb Associatiob.) CHRISTCHURCH, December 2. Tho hotelkoepers of Lyttelton arc moving in tho direction of getting the hotels reopened this week. Tho hotels have been closed sinco rhe night of Monday, November 24 It is understood that the hotelkeepers have applied for permission to reopen on Thursday until 6 p.m. CALL TO DRIVERS. A POOR RESPONSE. (Pun United Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, December. 2. The latest call of the Canterbury Drivers' Union to its monibei'3 to "stand solid by the union and cease work" appears to havo fallen to a large extent upon deaf ears. Tho .actual number who responded to tho call is not known, but the employers of drivers in the city reported this morning that there was no lack of men offering. At the railway goods shed matters wero as busy as ever. The City Council's drivers remained unaffected by the call, and wero all back this morning. Advice received from Wellington states that the new Drivers' Union Lis been registered. Mr Hunter (secretary) states that the new call is the result of the arrival in the city of goods handled by free labour at Lyttelton, but he declines to say how many men are involved. Tho previous exemptions are maintained ALLEGED DEFAMATORY LIBEL. APPLICATION DISMISSED. (Pee United Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, Dcoomber 2. An unusually large crowd gathered at the Magistrate's Court to-day, when E. J. Howard, l'\ C. Ellis, J. Mt'ombs, 11. Hunter, J. Thorn, D. G. Sullivan, and F. Lurch, alleged to be members, of the strike Committee, wero summoned to appear before Mr H. \V. liisliop, S.M., to show causo why they should not be prosecuted under section 11 of "The Law of Libel Act, 1910," for the publication of a defamatory libel in a. publication ■ called the Christchurch Strike Bulletin, dated November 26, under the heading "Scabs, Male and Female." Tho applications were heard separately in camera in the magistrate's room, tho press not being admitted.

The Magistrate said he did not mind newspaper representatives being present, btrt the inquiry was only a preliminary one to sco whether there could bo a prosecution, otherwise if a prosecution were ordered it would mean two public hearings instead of one.

The defendants Howard, Hunter, and Sullivan denied all knowledge of the offending

paragraph. \ Under the circumstances, Mr Bishop had no alternative but to order that no warrants bo 'issued, and the informations against the remaining defendants were withdrawn. It is probable, however, that action will be taken against the printers.' Mr Bishop, in examining the defendants, described the paragraph as absolutely vile and abominable, and ho honed that the respectable portion of labour, both arbitrationist and federationist, would lake a public opportunity of disavowing any responsibility for it. The defendants said this would bn done. They expressed their disapproval of the paragraph, which they said they did not authorise and did not see until it was published. They did not now form thj> " Strike Committee." The original Strike Committee had been dissolved on November 24—two days before the publication of the paragraph. .It •was also denied that the Strike. Bulletin was circulated after the paragraph in question was discovered, the sheet being withdrawn. After the dismissal of the informations against Sullivan, Huntor, and Howard, Mr Stringer, 1v.0., withdrew the informations on lining assured by counsel that the rest of the defendants would testify on the same lines.

The result of the inquiry wns received with cheers by a crowd of sympathisers, who wore waitinc outside,