WATERSIDE WORKERS' STRIKE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15939, 5 December 1913, Page 2

WATERSIDE WORKERS' STRIKE.

,W. T. YOUNG COimCTED. THREE MONTHS' IMPRISONMENT. LEAYE TO APPEAL GRANTED. DEPLORABLE SCENE IN AUCKLAND. SOCIALIST MALTREATED. EMPLOYERS STILL FIRM. ANOTHER MESSAGE TO MR HUGHES. POSITION IN AUSTRALIA. WORKERS DIVIDED. CONFERENCE LEADERS ANGRY.

The most interesting event in strike mat trs yesterday was tho arrival, of the Kaiapoi from Wellington with 1500 tons of oarjjo for this port. Included in the cargo are transhipments ex Rimutaka, Corinthic, Remuera, and Arawa from Ijondon; ex Willochra and Canada Cape, from San Francisco; ex Moeraki and Maranganui, from Sydney; and ex Manuka, from Melbourne, The transhipments from the Willookra comprise Californian raisins, canned fruits, oranges, prunes, dried fruite, and 850 cases of apples; and 250 cases, of Calif ornian oranges have arrived ex Canada Dapo. Just on 50 men were sent to the Gross wharf to undertake the discharging of the KaiapoL It is hoped that 6he will be cleared of her inward cargo by to-night. She will then load for Timaru and Wellington, and afterwards come back to Lytieitoii. The men were working late on tliis vissel last evening, and also on the Waitomo. The remainder of the arbitrationiste, v;ho have now reached a strength of 180, were divided between the W-aitomo, which is expected to leave to-day, and the Turakina, Dorset, and Mimiro. The Waitomo will bo a very full ship when her' loading is completed. She is to eail ior Timaru and Auckland.

A cargo of oil which was lieing discharged yesterday from tho Waitomo gives a striking illustration of the manner in which goods have been delayed in reaching their destination; This oil was due to ho landed in Ehmedin on Octobcr 1, _ being brought from Australia. It was originally brought in the Waitomo to Port Chalmers, thence taken to Oamarii, back to Dunedin, thenoe to Bluff, back again to fkinedin, and was finally put ashore here yesterday. Tho Dorset is loading a big consignment of frozen rabbits for Liverpool and L(.r.don. Somo 20,000 crates, are to be. put on board her at Dunedin. The Dorset is to foil from here to Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide, thence Liverpool and London. Her crew aTe handling the cargo on the deks and in the holds,/the arbitrationists doing 'the necessary work on the wharf.

It is expected that the Mimiro will have' completed her discharging to-day, and will sail for Brisbane.' Her berth at the.Rattray street wharf will be taken by tho Marere, which should arrivo from Lyttclton either to-day or to-morrow. Tho Invercargill will load general cargo to-day for Invercargill, and is expected to get away in the evening. ' The Storm is expected to arrive fiom Timaru on Saturday morning, and will take in 300 tons of general cargo for Picton end Wanganui RELIEF PAY FOR THE SEAMEN. '' Relief pay is now boing distributed amongst tho members of the Dunedin Branch of the Seamen's Union, the amount totalling, it is said, £100 per woek. It is also said that at tie meeting of thp Dunedin seamen on Wednesday afternoon the vote as to whether a secret billot should be taken on tho question of the men returning to work—the proposal, as already reoorted, was defeated—was materially affected by tho information supplied by Mr Mackie, one of the Auckland delegates, that £1000 had been voted by the Australian seamen towards relief pay to the seamen in New Zealand. CUTTING OUT PORT CHALMERS. The Commerce Protection Committee has arranged that a largo shipment of frozen rabbits shall be loaded oil the Dorset at Dunedin, owing to tho difficulty of petting taboilr at Port Chalmers; and, further, tho committee is said to bo coiisidpring tho advisability of suggesting the-removal of tho dumping plant from Port Chalmers to Dunedin, so that the wool may be coped with as it arrives. UNION COMPANY AND THE : SEAMEN. NO ULTIMATUM. In regard to the statement which we made yesterday, in our reference to tho meeting of the Seamen's Union, that the Union Company had issued an , ultimatum to the 60amen, it is stated by tho company that no such ultimatum was sent. ■ Wo are advised, however, in spite of this denial, that the impression certainly did exist at tho meeting that the Union Company had decided that after Saturday it would malco its own arrangements for manning its vessels if tho soamen and firemen did not return to work before then. We are also informed that tho hint—it seems to be incorrectly described as an ultimatum—was conveyed verbally to an official of tho Seamen's Union by a representative of tho company. FURTHER MEETINGS. This afternoon the visiting delegates and the local executive met, but no information is available for publication as to tho nature of the mcotiijg. POSITION IN WELLINGTON. 23 VESSELS AT WORK. PROBABLE SHIPMENT OF SYDNEY CARGO. (Peb United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, December 4. Thirteen hundred .members of the new Waterside Workers' Union,, whose membership hae now passed the 1800 mark, were fully engaged in handling inward and outward cargo on tho wharves to-day. As soon as the Tahiti from San Francisco was tied up the discharge of her 2000 tons of cargo was begun. Half a dozen other oversea vessels and a number of coastal ships wero working, bringing the total number at tho various berths to 23. It is anticipated that cargo may bo accepted hero next week for the Sydney steamer. A now crew has been engaged to replace tho one that gave notice on tho Aonangi at Sydney, and tho vessel will get away for San Francisco on Saturday. ■ Tho Tahiti, .which arrived from San Francisco to-day, will sail for Sydnoy on Saturday, taking only passengers from Sew Zealand. NEW DRIVERS' UNION. 290 MEMBERS. (Pea UwTtn Piims AsiociATio*.) WELLINGTON, Decembor 4, The now Drivers' Union has a membership of 290. SPECIAL CONSTABIJE INJURED. (Pra United Pnesp Association.) WELLINGTON, December 4. Robert Campbell,, a upccial constablo, broko his log through his horse slipping on tho wooden blocks in tho street.

W. T. YOUNG CONVICTED. THREE MONTHS' IMPRISONMENT. LEAVE TO APPEAL GRANTED. (Pee Unitf.ii Press Association.) WELLINGTON, December 4. Judgment in the case against W. T. Young, president of the United Federation of Labour and secretary of tho Wellington branch of tho Seamen's Union, who was charged with -wilfully inciting divers unknown persons to resist the constables stationed in Wellington in tho execution of their duty, was given by Mr W. G. Riddeil, S.M., this morning. Tho defendant, who' was refused bail at tho preliminary hearing, has been in gaol for exactly four weeks. A further charge against him was that of inciting persons to commit a breach of tha peace, and at tha hearing an application was made to bind the defendant over to keep tho peace. Tho two charges were therefore taken together. A third charge of using seditious language, an indictable offence, was held over, and was proceeded with later. Mr H. H. Ostler appeared ior the Crown, and Mr T. M. Wilford and Mr O'Regan for the defendant. "The defendant is charged that, on' October 26, at Wellington, he "wilfully, incited divers unknown persons to resist the constables stationed in Wellington in the execution of their duty," said Mr Riddel], "It has been proved that tho defendant used the words contained in the information in the course of a speech delivered by him to a large crowd of waterside workers and other persons at tho Basin Reserve on tho above date. Evidence has been called to • show that immediately prior to October 26 the waterside workors on strike and their sympathisers had taken possession of the waterfront in Wellington, had prevented owners of property from handling it there, hud intimidated and assaulted persons who were prepared to handle cargo on tie wharves, and 'that the ordinary police force was powerless to prevent intimidation and acts of violence. It was common knowledge that at this time the Government liad increased tho number of tho regular police, and was organising a force of BpeoiaJ constables to ajeslst in the preservation of law and order in the city. ' On October 26 the defendant, among otnere, addressed ailargfe gathering of persons on the. general stato of affairs at the waterfront, and in tho course, of his address he made reference to the special constables. To gather the full meaning of the words mentioned in the information and used by the defendant it is necessary to bear in mind tho state of affairs existing prior to the meeting, and to read the_ defendant's remarks immediately preceding the particular wordß in tha charge. These are: ' I want to say that special constables are being called for. A number of them were marched to tbo Newtown depot last night. I want to say that if tho police force of this country is going to be utilised —I know the individual police don't want to be used for the purpose,—but if the autffori-. ties of this country are going to use them to suppress the working class, I will undertake—we will undertake—to mass in this'' City of Wellington 10,000 or 15.000 armed men, ready to protect themselves as armed men. If a police constable uses his baton to you give him one back, and if one won't do make it a double-header.' The immediately succeeding words used by tho defendant must also be considered as determining tho meaning of tho particular words in the charge. These are: 'If wo have got to fight the police force and tho military, it has got to be done in stylo - and effectually. It is a very easy matter indeed. If I have got to incite tho multitude I, will incite them, and in a proper manner.' Evidenco has been given of later events, in which tho strikers were concerned, and it is common knowledge that a stato of insecurity existed in the city for somo days after October 26. In some cases special constables wero attacked and the police resisted in their attempts to proservo order. There is no direct cvidcnco, however, to connect the defendant with any of these later disturbances. Section 68 of ' The Police Offences Act, 1908,' enumerates a number of acts wihch constitute offences against tho police when acting in the oxocution of their duty. The words of the section which defino the offence alleged to have been committed by defendant are: 'If any person wilfully incites any person to resist any constable in the execution of his duty, sucli person may be takon into custody without warrant by anv constable, and on conviction shall be liatlo to a flue not exceeding £20 or to imprisonment for any term not exceeding three months.' For the defence, it is contended that'an incitement under section 68 must be an incitement of a person or persons to resist 4 particular constable actually performing,an act in tho execution of hi? duty at the time of tho incitement, and that, as defendant's words were addressed generally to a crowd of persons who wero' not interfering with any member of tho police in the execution of his duty, the use of them does not constitute _an offence within tho words, of tho section. The argument is illustrated by,referring to the case of the arrest of an offender in -the street by a oonstable followed by interference on tho part of a bystander. No doubt all tho elements of tho offcnco under the section are present on such an occasion, but in stressing the importanco of tho words 'in the execution of his duty,' and the time when the inciting must take place, I think oounsel has placed two narrow an interpretation on the words of tho scction. A oonstable may act in tho execution of his duty although he is not an offender. A constable acts in the execution of his duty wh«n ho is on iis beat in tho publio street or when he is present at a publio meeting to preserve order if required. Ho cannot use his baton at pleasure, even when on duty, but only when occasion arises and it becomes necessary for him to do so. Two oanons of construction are applicable: (1) That the words of the' section must receivo sucb an interpretation as will carry cut tho intention of the Legislature; (2) that -as the section is a penal oue, it must bo construed strictly 60 that the act of tho .defendant may oomo exactly within iis words without any st.rain being placed upon their moaning, Oases have teen cited to show that before a person can become liablo for obstructing a constable in tho execution of his duty there must bo an offence committed or in the course of being oommittod at the 6ame time. There is, however, a difference between obstructing and inciting, and tho question is ' Can the offence of inciting be complete without 'being committed simultaneously with somo oti.cr offence which provides the object or reason of tho incitement." Apparently it can, and on tho authority of Regma v. Most, where it was held that tho publication and circulation of a newspaper article may be an encouragement or endeavour to persuade to murder within section 4 of 24 aud idS of' Victoria, chapter 100, although not addressed to any person in particular. If such a publication is an otfenoe, I think that, considering tho condition of the. law and order which then, existed, the particular words addressed by the detendant to a mixed crowd on October 26 constituted an offence within tho meaning of section 68. Defendant will be convicted," In considering the question of tho sentence to bo inflicted, the Magistrate referred to the sentences passed by the Cliief Justice on two offenders who had not taken a particularly prominent part in the disturbances. Tho defendant Young, on tie other hand, was ono of the leaders. The sentence would bo ono of imprisonment for three months. He would also bo required td enter into a bond of £250 and two sureties of £250 each tp keep tho peace for 12 months. Mt Wilford then gavo formal notice of appeal, on the ground that the magistrate's decision was erroneous in point qf law. Ho also asked that bail bo fixed.

Tho Magistrate said ho had anticipated that, no matter which way his decision' Went, it would be necessary to-havo a ruling on tho pint. Bail would bo allowed in the accused s own recognisance of £150 and two sureties of £75 each. Tho security for the costs of the appeal would bo fixed at £10 10s. Mr Wilford asked if defendant would be required to find tho suTeties stipulated to keep the po,ace. Tho Magistrate stated that the sureties wore part of the penalty, and tho only security required (apart from bail) would bo the security for the costs of appeal.

The question of bail was mentioned again in the afternoon by Mr Wilford, who said there had been a misunderstanding between himself and tho Crown solicitor, and he wished to have a ruling. He asked l if the sureties for good behaviour woro imposed on top of tho bail for the sedition charge and the bail for appeal; also what it was necessary to find boforo Young could bo got out of gaol. The magistrate said he was satisfied that the defendant would proceed with his appeal, and to get over tho difiksulty ho proposed to rcduco tho bail on the charge of sedition to ono surety of £100 and two of £50 each, to leavo tho recognisances of tho peace at ono amount of £250 and two sureties of a similar amount, and. also to leave unaltered the £10 10s security of appeal. Young was romanded tiU to-morrow on tho indictable chargo of using seditious language.

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ASSAULTS ON SPECIAL CONSTABLES. TWO MEN PROSECUTED. . (Pis Unitsti ('umb Asiocutios.) 'WELLINGTON, December 4. At the Magistrate's Court to-day Charles Johnson, who was charged with assaulting a special constable, was fined £1, in default 21 days in gaol, and was ordered to find a bond of £20 and two sureties of £10 each to keep the peace for six months. Max Wolfe, on remand, was charged today with assaulting Joseph Kilcolly, a special constable, on November 17, • and causing him actual bodily harm. The evidenco showed that Kilcolly, with another special, was having a drink in Barrett's Hotel, when accused said, "Take that!" (using an insulting epithet), and threw a beer glass, striking Kilcolly on the cheek and inflicting a severe wound. The accused was committed for trial, bail £100 and sureties. ' > UNITED FEDERATION OF LABOUR. A STATEMENT CHALLENGED. • (Put Unitbd Prkis Association.) WELLINGTON, December 4, Referring to the statement by the Employers' Defeme© Committee identifying the Federation of Labour with the 1.W.W., Mr J. Dowgray (acting president of the United Federation) said the statement was full of errors. There had been a confusion of tho United Federation of Labour with the Federation of Labour. The jrwo organisations were not the same. Tho preamble of tho Federation' of Labour, which was so like that of the LW.W., was not tho preamble of thd United Federation of Labour. As president of. the Millerton Miners' Union for seven years, Mr Dowgray said there had been no breach of agreement or the loss of a single day through a breach of agreement on the part of tho minors of Millerton, and the same thing applied to other miners. There was a stoppage at the Stockton mino,' but that had nothing to do with agreements or breaches of agreements. Then the federation ordered tho members back to work, and they went back. "All the agreements which wo as miners have made with the employers have been kept," said Mr Dowgray "I havo nover signed an agreement which I havo not had lcept by the miners, and, no trouble about them has arisen, and my word is my bond. It was with the miners that the federation originated." < EMPLOYERS STILL FIRM. MESSAGE TO MR HUGHES. A LUCID EXPLANATION. (Pee United Press Association.) \PLLINGTON, December 4. The following cablegram has been despatched by the Wellington Employers' Dofence Committee to Mr W. M. Hughes, M.P., Sydney:— " The employers throughout tho dominion thank you for your lengthy and explicit cablegram of tho 2nd inst, which has had their o&reful consideration. This committee desires now to make it quito dear to you that in cabling you our statement of tho position it was not our intention to invoke, your assistance or provoke trouble oil your side. We were aware, of course, that delegates from the Federation of Labour wero with you, and we desired to prevent any misconception and to meet any misrepresentations by placing before you a clear statement of the position—a statement which wo have no hesitation in saying wo are prepared to substantiate. The employers of tho dominion havo decided that fchey cannot, and will not, retire from the position that has been forced upon them owing to the refusal of tho Federation ot Labour to recognise tho binding force of agreements. The employers repeat that they cannot in any way recogmso the federation or any unions subject to its control. They have solemnly pledged themselves to stand by the arbitration unions, and cannot recede from that undertaking. There is, consequently, nothing left lor arbitration, as tho employers know of no grievances that aro standing in the way of the strikers joining the now unions, but if there are any such grievances they should be formulated and presented to the employers for consideration. If such grievances cannot bo removed by any other means . this committee wdl consult with other committees as to whether they should be submitted to arbitration. The employers submit that as the work of the principal ports of the dominion is now being effec--1 lively carried on by tho members of the new unions in ample numbers there is, therefore, notwithstanding your assertion the contrary, no present waterside dispute in existence, and consequently they fail to see any reason why the Australian .workers should involve themselves in the trouble.— Foster, Chairman." CHARGE AGAINST HOLLAND. CASE DISMISSED. (Peb United Press Association.) - WELLINGTON, December 4. Henry Holland was charged at the Magistrate's Court to-day with inciting persons to resist the police and commit a breach of the peace. The charge arose out of the meeting at the Basin Reserve, at which Young's statements were made, Leo S. Fanning, a member of the Evening Post literary staff, gave evidence as to reporting the words contained in the charge. He said Holland had been talking about the. polico at Broken Hill, and was reciting tho words which he said he had spoken there. The Magistrate said he wae not prepared to convict. The caso was not the same as Young's, and ho was not satisfied that Hol-i land' 6 words were a direct incitement to the people. They were only a repetition of a previous statement. ' Tho information on these points was dismissed, but the charge of sedition has yet to be heard. SHIPPING AT AUCKLAND. WORK PROCEEDING SATISFACTORILY. (Pee United Press Association.)' AUCKLANI), December 4. Work is proceeding satisfactorily amongst the shipping. There seems to be ample labour available, and cargo is being loaded and discharged.expeditiously. The Woiwera is to follow the Maheno at the Queen's wharf. Tho Home steamer has a large cargo to discharge. Tho work of discharge- is proceeding at the White Star liner Zealandic. ■ She is also loading a quantity of produce from Auckland. The Zealandic will go to Wellington and other southern Dorta The Maheno is fixed to sail for Sydney to-day. About 150 passengers will go by the vessel, and a "scratch" crew has been secured. Tho Maheno should reach Sydney some timonext week. THE SPECIAL POLICE. FORCE REDUCED. 200 MEN DISCHARGED, (Per United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, December 4. This morning the mounted special police who have been patrolling the waterfront night and day for 6ome weeks were withdrawn, As the last detachmont rodo away hearty cheers were exchanged between them and the" foot brigado quartered on tho Queen's wharf. Evidently the departure of tho mounted men was just arranged by w.iy of an experiment. Everything went on as, usual during the period of their absence,' and they took, up their posts again later in the day. , The city specials who remain on the wharves have made their quarters- as comfortable a 6 possible, and many of thom aro quite prepared to stay on the watorfront in'definitely if tha conditions of work, pay, and faro aro tho 6ame. About 200 mounted specials were discharged this morning. Of these 100 have gone to their homes in the Waikato and northern districts, while the remainder are staying about the city for a week in order to see the Exhibition. There aro 6till 400 mounted men in camp. A BOLD FRONT. STRIKERS' EXPRESSION OF HOPEFULNESS. (Peb Unitkd Prms Association.) AUCKLAND, December 4. Mr Purtoll, chairman of the Auckland Strike Committee, said this morning that the local committee had agreed to tho reference of tho whole dispute to Sir Joshua Williams. The point at issuo seemed to be that tin omployers wore determined to have no form of labour organisation outside the Arbitration Act. The casual observer, he said, assumed that tho strike was broken because Auckland had got busy all at once, but there was only one small coal mino working in New Zealand, and it was boyond the possibilities of an ordinary business transaction that the indußtriea in New Zealand and shipping could bo maintained on coal supplies obtainable from Japan or Africa. Ths Strike Committeo realised that the conditions were far from being back to

normal. There was also good authority for stating that there would be trouble in the London docks when the ships loaded during the strike reached London. THE AUCKLAND HOTELS. RESTRICTIONS REMOVED. (Per United I'ncsa Association.) AUCKLAND, December 4. The city magistrates decided to-day that all the restrictions placed on the hotels in connection with the recent atriko tr.ouble be now removed (is from to-day; consequently may now be sold 116 usual for consumption off the premises. ADDRESSES BY MR HICKEY. (Peb United Pbess Association.) AUCKLAND, December 4. Mr P. H. Hickey, secretary of the United Federation of Labour, paid a visit to Auckland yesterday, and addressed meetings o£ •waterside workers and seamen. Ho left this morning for Huntly. and will return to Wellington this evening. Prior to his departure this morning Mr Hickey said that the offer m.ido by Mr Hughes on behalf of the Australian workers to the New Zealand employers was one which met with the entire approval of tie 'executive of the United Federation. He commented briefly on the persistent manner in which the employers in New Zealand referred to "the Federation of Labour." The old Federation of Labour no longer existed, but had been absorbed by the United Federation, which included arbitration unions as well as non-arbitration unions, and was so constituted as to be able to conserve the best interests of each.

Spoaking to the waterside workers yesterday, Mr Hickey saidUnionism is'fighting for its life, and all workers should realise what this means, asd play their part manfully. The employers have refused to consider aay proposals, although £te United Federation has agreed to stand asido if a settlement has beon arranged with tho unions themselves. The employers appear to bo out to smash unionism, but the position. of tho Etrikens is. stronger to-day than ever." DEPLORABLE SCENE IN AUCKLAND. SOCIALIST ATTACKED. Bustled off a steamer. (Fbom Oub Own Corhespondknt.) AUCKLAND, December 4. One of the most exciting incidents arising out of the 6trike occurred in connection with the departure of the Maheno for Sydney this evening. Charles Reeve, a well-known Socialist orator and a vendor of fish and oysters, who was very prominent in the early stages of the trouble, boarded the vessel to a passenger, but was bodily hauled off again by a party of specials and emergency firemen. In the process he was severely beaten, and when he was finally cast off he presented a. very woe-begone and dishevelled appearance. Needless to say, Reeve missed' his passage to Sydney. The bitter feelings of resentment which culminated in the attack on Reeve have been rankling in the minds of the special constables for a long time. These feelings were principally engendered by the man's public utterances, which have been in keeping with tho professed creed of the I.W.W. What is said to have chiefly angered the specials is a suggestion which Reeve is credited with having made in one of his street speeches that the strikers should march into tho country and wreak their vengeance for the capture from them of .the port by the " cockies" on tho farmers' wives.

The Maheno was timed to sail at 5 p.m., and a few minutes before that hour Reeve, ivho was accompanied by a friend, presented his ticket—a single one for the steerage—to tho police guard at tho entrance to the D shed. He was duly allowed to pass in, and began to make his way towards the steamer s berth. On recognising the would-be passenger a number of special constables on the wharf Butfrounded him and escorted him to the gangway of tho steamer. Here several more specials were gathered, and as tho word went round who the man was a storm of booing arose. Ono special followed Reeve along the gangway, and as the latter stepped down on to the deck snatched his hat from his head and strodo away with it as a trophy. Once on board, Reeve appeared to be quite relieved, and for a while he stood facing a Bwarm of specials on the wlfarf. During this brief interlude ho was subjected to a tirade of scornful epithets and- pointed remarks. Some of the specials were for going aboard apd pulling him off. Others pointed the man out to the rest of the passengers, and facetiously urged them to.give him a good time on the voyage.

The disturbance at tho gangway naturally attracted the attention of the saloon and steerage passengers, and also of the crew. Amongst the latter there happened to be several amateur seamen and stokers recruited from the ranks of the specials. The news that Reeve was aboard as a passenger spread like wildfire, and the effect was electrical. Thore was a unanimous declaration that if tho Socialist made the trip they would not. The epecial constables on tho wharf and their comrades amongst tho Maheno's crew were by this time worked up to a great pitch of excitement, and it was quite obvious that something unusual was going to happen. No nooner had Reeve disappeared down the mam deck in tho direction of his oabin than a small detachment of regular' and special police, accompanied by Deteotives Gourlay and Hammond, filed on board. Their object was to search Benve's luggage. They were anticipated, however, in reaching the vicinity of the Socialist's cabin, and were only in time to see , him swept forcibly past them down the outside passageway in tho grip of three or four' of the members of the scratoh crew. _ Behind this group and their struggling oaptive rushed others of the scratch crew, and Reeve was firmly held, each arm boing pinnioned. As he was half dragged and half, pushed towards tho gangway ho .was assailed with blows from both sides and from behind, many well-directed ones taking him about the head. His stormy progress along the deck, was accompanied by frantic cheers from tho specials on the wharf. The nowspeechless and gasping Socialist and his self-appointed guardians stumbled on to the wharf, tho helpless and thoroughly frightened victim receiving manv a blow as he was dragged along, and loud cheers broke out on all sides, the ship's passengers joining in as, thrusting aside the ■ few regular polico on the wharf, who made as if to interfere, the prisoner was taken at a run through the shed and out into Quay street. There ho was ieleased and bidden to be off and to return no more.

Matters looked threatening for a -while, as Reeve persisted in appealing to the mounted constables who had ridden up and taken, control of tho situation. Vainly the evicted Socialist tried to explain that he had booked his passage by the steamer. He v?as curtly informed that the crew would not take Jiirri, and vainly he pleaded to be allowed to tro back and secure his bag and hie coat. He was advised to keep on the move lest there should bo a further. breack of the peace. Filially Reeve walked disconsolately away,

In the meantime tho Socialist's possessions were passed back on to the wharf and taken possession of by the police. Twenty-five minutes after the appointed hour the Maheno drew away from the wharf, amidst an interchange of cheere between the departing specialsand their confreres ashore. She dropped anchor in tho stream for some unknown reason, but probably as the outcome of the disturbance at the wharf, and remained there for an hour. No signal Was sent ashore, and no boat was lowered WORK AT LYTTELTON. SHIPPING STILL BUST. (Peb United Pbess Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, December 4. The return of fine weather to-day enabled work to be resumed on all the ivharves at Lyttelton. The big fleet of ships that crowded the harbour last Monday ha 6 been gradually reduced, and to-day two more oversea steamers left the wharves. Apart from the good work which is being done in connection with the big liners, it is noticeable that the coastal cargo steamers aro now moving freely, and arc handling a large amount of freight. After being kid up at Dunedin for more than a month, tho Viotoria .arrived at Lyttelton this morning. The 6eamen and firemen are performing their ordinary duties, and are taking no pari in tho handling of cargo. The Victoria brought eome oargo from Dunedin, and is loading a big shipment of goods for Wellington, _ The ferry steamer Wahine, which left Wellington at 8 o'olock last night, was delayed by a strong southerly gale and heavy head seas throughout her passage, and did not arrive at Lyttelton until Sine o'clock this morning. Her stokehold hands worked very well, although several were more or less troubled by sea sickness. The Wahine ha/idled a large quantity of cargo during the day, and cleared up most of the goods which have been accumulating during the week. She was coaled by members of the new union from the collier KowhaL

The Union Company's collier Flora, which has been laid up in the 6tream for over'a month,' was brought in to No. 3 wharf at 1 p.fii,, and occupied the berth vacated by the Kini, which has finished discharging her cargo 'of timber, and which is now undergoing her annual survey and overhaul. The Flora started discharging with the nevr unionists.

Another arrival was the steamer Breeze, from Oamaru. She loaded part cargo down south, and is filling up at Lyttelton for Picton and Wanganui. She is to sail tonight.

Other departures to-day were, the Himitangi, with a full cargo, for Wellington, and the Cygnet, fully loaded, for Akaroa. The Marere left the wharf at 6.30 this morning and went out to an anchorage in the stream. The veaset is bound for Dunedin, but as thero is no discharging berth available at that port at present she will remain in the stream at Lyttelton probably until to-morrow.

At noon the Rimutaka left the wharf, and sailed for Bluff and Wellington to complete loading for London. During her stay at Lyttelton she landed 1700 tons of general cargo. and loaded nearly 11,000 boxes of butter, 2000 bales of wool, and also cheese, meat, and general produce. The fleet of ships in the harbour, this morning was as follows:—Wahine, Kowhai, Cygnet, Himitangi, Victoria, Rimutaka, Flora, Canopus, Remuera, Kar'amu, Titania, Corinthio, Breeze, Wootton, H.M.S. Pyramus, Storm, Eliza Firth, Aratapu, Eunice, Lily, Annie Hill, and Te Anau, THE ARBITRATION UNION. 210 MEN AT WORK. (Peb United Peess Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, December 4. The new arbitration union of waterside workers is still growing in numbers, and this morning 210 members were at work Several vessels were short-handed until after the departure of the Rimutaka, when the vacancies were filled by men who had been working on that ship. POSITION IN CHRISTCHURCH. APPEALS FOR RELIEF. , (Pits United Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, December 4. Strike matters in Christchurch were quiet to-day, and there were few indications of the existence of any industrial unrest. , It is reported that contributions to the strike fund continuo to pour in. The Strike Relief Committeo is being kept fairly busy dealing with applications for assistance. 1 , Messrs Booth, Macxlonald, and Co. propose reopening their works to-morrow morning. THE SPECIAL CONSTABLES. STILL IN READINESS. (Pee United Peess Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, December 4. Reports as to the disbandment of specials are entirely without foundation. The foot specials have been allowed to return to their homes and occupations in town, but .they have not been disbanded, and are held ready for service. It is understood that a Ist of all foot specials has' been deposited at the telephone exchange, and on a signal being given all telephone work would be suspended and the specials would be called up, and would promptly assemble at a prearranged rendezvous. To-day was the first day since the mounted specials came into action that there were no patrols in the city. Though a good deal of work is being done, it was decided to give the strikers and any of their sympathisers an opportunity of proving their good behaviour. The patrols will not bo called upon unless they are urgently needed for protection. LYTTELTON REGATTA POSTPONED. (Pee United Pbess Association.) CHRISCHURCH. December 4. In consequence of the strike the Lyttelton' regatta, which was fixed for New Year's Day, has been postponed. . EMPLOYERS' ACTION ENDORSED. {Peb United Peess Association.) NAPIER, December 4. At a meeting of merchants, fanners, and business men this afternoon a resolution was passed expressing full oonfidence in tho Wellington Citizens' Defence Committee, endorsing the further statement by the committee published in to-day's papers, and strongly urging the oonrmittee to refuse; to negotiate .with the Labour Federation, which openly repudiates signed bv its responsible officers; also urging the obligations of the employers to the newly« formed Arbitration Union, and its full recognition by all parties. (Continued on page 3.)