WATERSIDE WORKERS' STRIKE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15954, 23 December 1913, Page 6

WATERSIDE WORKERS' STRIKE.

PINAL SCENE M WELLING- * TON. I MABCH TO THE WHAEYES. . ; SEAMEN AND FULEMEN SIGNING ON/ t _ i E THE WATERSIDE WORKEES. \ i __ ( ; ; DESIRE TO JOIN NEW, UNIONS. FEDERATION PRESIDENT RESIGNS. J 1 — t .WEST COAST MINERS. ! NEGOTIATIONS FOR RESUMING WORK. ' So far no applications for membership in tho Arbitration Union have been re- . ceived from members of tho old Waterside ; Workers' Union, but it is anticipated that ' not much time will oiapso before applies- ' tiona mil begin to ooroe in. ] Yesterday about 130 arbHrationists were ' bnfiily employed on the wharves. ' THE SEAMEN'S UNION. ] MR BELCHER INTERVIEWED. i Interviewed yesterday by a Times reporter, Mr W. Beioher, secretary of tho Dunedin branch of the Seamen's Union, spoko on some phases of the strike and the seamen's conn'Vtion therewith. Mr Belchi r 6aid the seamen were involuntary and passive resisters, when, owing to the stoppage of work on the wharves, they had no alternative but to leave their vessels in accordance with the legal notice given j them by tho shipownere.' "We oan only i abide by the agreement which was como , •to in Wellington," said Mr Belcher, "which stipulates that where it is possible the men who had been thrown out of employment will resume wort in the vessels tlie.y left. Of oourse, this will be a rather difficult ( matter to adjust, owing to the fact that : many of the men have gone from one place : to another, and the vessels they were discharged from have been scattered all over , Australasia. It must necessarily take time, therefore, before matters simmer down" into their old groove." . Referring to a Press Association telegram from Wellington, published by us yester- , day morning, wherein Mr Hickey, secretary of the United Federation of labour, was credited with saying that it was " the lack • of information regarding the seamen's likelihood to return to work that had prevented the strike from being called off several daj9 ago," Mr, Belcher had some pertinent comment to offer. Ho quoted the report ol Mr F. C. Smith, one of the Dunedin delegates to the Seamen's Conference at Wellington, who returned on Saturday evening. Mr Smith absolutely denied tho accuracy of Mr Hickey's statement that it was lack of information regarding the seamen's likelihood to return to work that had prevented the strike from being called off several days ago. "As to that statement made by Mr Hickey in his official capacity as secretary of the Federation af Labour," said Mr Smith, " it must be given an emphatic denial, in order to dfsabuse the public mind of the inference that the seamen were acting in discord from other organisations connected with the trouble. Not only was the Federation of Labour aware of the fact that the seamen's delegates were in communication with the shipowners, and that certain terms had been set before them for settlement, but it was also known to tho officials of the federation on December 14-. As a matter of fact, on the 15th inst. the Federation of Labour delegates, by 13 votes to 5, decided to call the striko off." "It is hard to conjecture or realise," continued Mr Belcher, " why, with tho conclusions of the waterside workers, with tho inside information they had in their possession from other quarters, certain steps were not taken. Whether the statement published in tho telegram from Wellington has been officially given or not no one seema to know, but it is alleged in certain quarters that tho seamen and firemen, by agreeing to return to work, have been the cause of tho collapse of the struggle. As tho Seamen's Union was not affiliated to tho Federation of Labour, 'lie seamen were placed in a different position from that of the waterside workers and the miners, and they have shown by their actions that the white feather was never displayed until it was 6een that all hope of a win was impossible, and that there were signs of defection in the ranks of the federation itself. That body, according to press reports, gave specific instructions to various nnions affiliated with it to return to work, and it was publicly stated that so long as the seamen held out tho federation would be able to win. All recent events seem to point in a totally different direction, and it :s not altogether fair to saddle the responsibility on the Seamen's Union. The members of the latter body pondered long and carefully over the position, and 'by overwhelming majorities decided to return to work, Judging from the Wellington telegram referred to. and the vote taken at the large meeting there as to whether the strike should bo declared off, it would appear that even tho waterside workers had only been waiting, and were apparently anxious, for a lead to be given from somewhere to enable them to make a fresh start. "Of course," went on Mr Belcher, "tho seamen and perhaps aD the other organisations involved feel it very keenly to bo compelled to resume work under the auspices of tho Conciliation and Arbitration Act. Previous experience of that tribunal has shown to a large extent almost the impossibility of getting a fair hearing and a modicum of justice. For theso reasons several of the largest and most powerful organisations in the dominion came to the conclusion to cancel their registration, and cow that they havo. by force of circumEtances, been driven back to tho Arbitration Court, it is to bo trusted that, should they have to appeal to that tribunal, more consideration will bo shown to them in tho future than has been done in the past." CLOSING SCENE IN WELLINGTON. DEMONSTRATION BY STRIKERS. "RETREAT, NOT DEFEAT." (Pro Unitbii Press Association.) WELLINGTON. December 22, Tho closing eceno of tho striko was marked Wo, unique demonstration on tho part or ihe strikers, who mustered at tho Vivian Street Hall and marched down 1000 b-trong to tho wharves, headed by tho Waterside Workers' Band. Before tive men dispersed to sign on with the now union they were addressed by tho leaders. Mr Farland. secretary of tie old union, said that although defeated in tho present battle tho wax would go on. The seamen had valiantly stood by tie watereido worker" until they had been betrayed by ono of their own number. _ , Mr Dowgray, acting president of tho federation "said that it wofl a retreat and ' not a defeat, and they would organise their forccs and ultimately win. As far as Tom Young was concerned, he was not ono of ■ the delegates who had conferred with tho ship-owners, but he probably know what was going on. Several other speakers addressed tho men, after which cheers were given for tho lenders and all who had assisted the strikers. After the demonstration some hundreds of strikers signed on as members of tho Arbitration Union. THE SEAMEN AND FIREMEN. ABOUT 300 MEN ENGAGED. (Peb United Pbess Association.) WELLINGTON, December 22. About 300 seamen and firemen have now sitmed on various ships at Wellington, and a few other vessels which are not yet manned wiil wait till after the hohdayn. WHARVES STILL GUARDED. ' (Pnt UNITED PRKS9 A6BOCUTIOH.) WELLINGTON, Deoembor 22. gpeoiol and rcculai oonstablca contmuo on duty at tho wharf gates, and passes are • piQl required of all people who would gam admittance. Ex-strikers aio not, allowed on the wharves until thoy Jiavo eignea tho aw

THE FEDERATION OF LABOUR. 1 PRESIDENT RESIGNS. t (PBB DHITID I'BKSB Asoociatidh.) \ WELLINGTON, December 22. 1 As a. result of criticism of his connection J with the iScamen's Union, Mr W. T. f Young to-day resigned the presidency of ?• the Federation of Labour. _______ a ORGANISING FARM LABOURERS. ? ARBITRATION COURT AWARD ' SOUGHT. " (Pxb Unitbd Pbebs Association.) | WELLINGTON, December 22. ( As an outcome of the Government's c aotion in bringing men in from ; to work on tue wharves during the strike ' it is stated that a movement is being { etarted in the Wellington district to of- t ganiso the farm labourers and obtain an j award under the Arbitration Act. It is j proposed to extend the movement through- < out New .Zealand i — I LEVY ON THE SHEARERS. t TO CEASE FROM TO-DAY. < (Feb United Pbess Association.) > WELLINGTON, December 22. : The Shearers' A.<®ociation has decided, 1 in view of the end of the strike, to ceaso making a icvy on its members for ■ the relief fund as from to-morrow. The secretary (Mr Laracy) says that the rcsponso 63 far has been very satisfactory, considering the. fact shat the weather has militated against work in tho shearing sheds. 1 j ADDITIONAL PROSECUTIONS. i ORATORS ORDERED TO KEEP THE i PEACE. j (Psb Unitsn Vbebi Asbociatiok.) J WELLINGTON, December 22. ] Two strike orators—Armstrong and Hunter—wore bound over by Mr Evans,, j S.M., to keep tho peace for six months — j each in his own recognisance of £50 and' two sureties each of £50. The. application arose out of certain alleged inflammatory j utterances in Wellington. Hunter was committed for trial on a charge of sedition in a speech at Newtown j Park. He was admitted to bail—himself in £75 and two sureties of £75. Both men ' are mineis. THE EMPLOYERS' ATTITUDE. STATEMENT BY MR FOSTER. (Pin United Pbmb Asbociatioh.) WELLINGTON, December 22. Mr W. G. Foster (chairman of the Employers, Farmers, a.nd Citizens' Defence Committee, was asked by a pressman 'today if he could express any opinion with regard to the strike. He observed that if he spoke he could only do eo unofficially and as a private individual. " The committee is not now sitting," he said. "In fact, it is in recess, and I hope it will have a long holiday. "Speaking for myself, I hold that the present is no time for recriminations. As an employer I should only bo too happy to provide employment for any of tho men who were forced into the strike against their wills, and I hope other employers will look at it in the same light. Tho employers, of course, are fully aware that the strike was called against tho wishes of a very large section of the workers. They recognise the men's right to strike, I venture to believe, but under certain conditions. They do not, however, reoogaise any right of men who strike to break the law ; and jeopardise the welfare of tho wholo community and cause the dislocation of established industries. I refer to the so-called strike. Speaking for myself, and I think also for other employers, this festive season is appropriate for again extending the hand of goodfeilowship to those men whose conduct during tho strike has been within proper bounds. Tho strike is now in extremis, and the eoonor all realiso it to be so the better. At the eamo time the employers wish it to be clearly understood that tlioy have no inclination whatever to condone the preaching of violence and misconduct of any kind, and the action that follows upon such preachings. It has been said that tho Government aimed at killing the United Federation of Labour by bringing in the special constables. Tho Government did nothing of the kind. There was no Government that could have refused tho protection which the circumstances demanded—tho protection of men who .were shipping tfieir own goods and who were occupied in conducting their own affairs. The services of the special constables had to be accepted, for the fanners were determined to get their producc away and to conduct their own affairs in their own way. _ It was solely for the purpose of protecting those employed on the wharves and on the ships (and they were arbitration unionists from the commencement of operations), and for the re-estab-lishment and oreeervation of law and order in the city." STRIKERS LOOKING FOR WORK. AUCKLAND WATERSIDE WORKERS. MARCH TO THE WHARF. (Peb United Pbess Association,) AUCKLAND, December 22. This morning a largo number of old hands, including Mr CUnham and Mr Hillier (president sad secretary respectively of tho former union) went down in a body to the wharf shed, whero tho union offico is situated, to apply for membership and seek employment. Tho crowd is variously intimated at between 400 and 700 workers, and it is stated that they arrived shortly before 8 o'clock, equipped with kits and wearing working clothes ready to resume work. The secretary of tho union (Mr Rickaxds), who. met tho men, described the attitude of some, of them as threatening, and ho declared that they demanded work and claimed the right to remain in the shed. A few words wcro exchanged, and Mr Rickards informed the men that further applications for membership could not bo considered till Wednesday, and he asked them to loave tho waiting room. This they did, moro or less reluctantly. It is stated that the labour available is moro than amplo to meet the existing needs. The new union has a membership roll of 1234. At present thero is very littlo work offering. It is officially stated that a batch of 150 membera was enrolled on Saturday. The names of tho applicants are r.ot only submitted to tho police, but applications must be accompanied by two references, and oach individual must renounce the Federation of Labour and sign allegia,nce to the Arbitration Act. The old unionists claim tlmt tho action of the new union ii high-handed and illegal, THE AUCKLAND SEAMEN. RETURNING TO WORK. (Peb United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, December 22. Tho seamen who liavo beon on striko in Auckland are signing on the boats available. It is 6tatcd that in view of the mixed reception that the announcements of tho settlement received thero was not a general rudj for re-employment on Saturday, tho men preferring to wait. In addition to tho meeting on Saturday ' morning, anothor gathering was held in the 1 afternoon, when the main matter for consideration was the manning of tho Manuka i and Rosamond. It was agreed that tho crews should return and not adhere bo far i as those men wore concerned to tho pre- ' vious decision to hold off till tho delegates i returned from Wellington. 1 Crcw3 will be signed on to-morrow f<r ■ tho Westralia, Katoa, Kurow, and Waitomo. • Seamen are getting positions on the Nor--1 thorn Company's boats to replace unquali- " fied men. It will not tako Ion? to rom--1 pleto the arrangements for tho restoration i of the regular steamer oerviccs, and already > dofinito sailing dates have been fixed for « mcny of the vcebols that havo been tied l Uj). r The seamen arc quietly going back, and 1 it is not exported that many will bo with'. out berths when things nxo back to normal. POSITION IN OHRISTCHTJRCH STRIKERS STILL IDLE, (Pw n«mn Prikb AsioctiTio*.) OHRISTCnURCH, December 22. Striko matters are quiet. The men are not going back yet. It is understood that they 7 desire to return to work in a bady. .( A meeting of the Citizens' Defence Comt mitteo was held to-day, but nothing has been disclosed. COST OF THE STRIKE. A HEAYFLOSS. 0 (Peb Uwm Press Association.) o CHRISTCHURCH, December . 22. n Attempts wero mudo l>y a reporter toil day to colloct information regarding tho n cconomio effects of tho striko in tho city and in Canterbury generally. It was found,

however, that at the best only approximate i estimates could be obtained It is probable that the total coat of the strike to those actually engaged in it as well as to those who were affected by it will never be fully known. Some rough estimate of the loss in wages that tho strikers suffered is possible, but it is extremely difficult, if not altogether impossible, to estimate what tho district has B lost owing to the stoppago of producton and owing to orders that have not been received. One estimate, admittedly only taking into account tho loss in wages and part „ of the lc6s in production, puts tho total at over £20,000, tho -details being:— Waterside workers' wages, £10,000; drivers' wages, £700; foundries and confectionery and other workers affcctcd by tho strike . (wages), £3000; loss in production (foun- J dries, confectionery, and other works), . £9000 total, £22,700. _ ' Tho farming community has suffered considerably owing to tho unsatisfactory oharae- _ ter of the first wool sale, which was postponed from the date upon which it was to have been held owing to the strike, and the dislocation of transport facilities which at- , tended it. The consequence has been that there has been a tightness of money as far as the primary producers* in _ Canterbury have been concerned. It is anticipated, however, that if a month's fino weather is experienced the fanning community wil. bo able to recover itself. Tho crop prospects are good provided a spell of good weather is experienced. "—■ a TRIBUTE TO THE GOVERNMENT. IFbom Our Own Correspondent.) MARTON, December 22. At the monthly meeting of the Marton branch of tho Farmers' Union, the Chairman (Mr G. L. Marshall) briefly mentioned that he had called the meeting to consider strike matters and finance. On his motion i it was resolved to congratulate the Govern- t ment on the masterly way in which it had j faced the recent industrial upheaval, and . to assure the Prime Minister that the mem- j bere of the farmers' union would be ready 1 to come forward on any future occasion when tho industries of the country were I threatened either by internal or external e foes. This was carried unanimously. _ ihe t chairman also thought it would be advisable < to have a list of thoeo who were ready to hold themselves for service. Forty-three workers had been sent from this brancli , and their fares paid to Wellington. Bo- , tween 50 and 60 mounted constables had j also been sent down. 1 i THE WEST COAST. < NEGOTIATIONS BY MINERS. CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS. (Peb United Pbess Association.) WESTPORT, December 22. The miners' delegates are negotiating today with a view to resuming wort it is understood that they are endeavouring to make it a condition that tho old watersido workers shall be reinstated, but the Union Company is determined to give preference for employment to the new unionists. A conference of mining delegates sat to-day, and again this evening, to consider the strike so far as the miners are concerned, but it is understood that no decision has been arrived at, and that tho conference will be resumed to-morrow. In tho meantime it is reported that a movement is on foot at the mines with a view to the early resumption of work. Tho inward cargo trade was in earnest to-day with the arrival of the Ivaitoa and Kennedy from Nelson. The Ilinemoa and Tutanok'ai both took outward cargoes of coal for the Railway Department on' Friday and Saturday respectively. ' LOYALTY REWARDED. PRESENTATION TO WATERSIDE WORKERS. (Peb United Press Association.) INVERCARGILL, December 22. A contingent of over a dozen representatives of Otago and Southland dairy factories arrived in Bluff this afternoon to make a presentation to the members of'the Bluff Watersido Workers Union. The function took place in the union's office. Mr D. Ward, jun. llsland Dairy Factory) occupied tile chair, and said that/they were all aware that had not the Blum men taken the 6tand they did things would hayo gone very hard with the dairy farmers in Southland, The result was that whenever a 6hip arrived tho farmers were able to get their produce away, and were thus in a happier position than those in many of tho provinces in the north. They wished to commend the loyalty of tho Bluff men and their honourable conduct in adhering to their agreement. Various factories throughout Southland, together with the Wallaco A. and P. Association, had subscribed £148 7s 6d, which he asked the secretary of the -union to accept on behalf of the members of hi 6 union. He suggested that the sum should be divided into three parts, two-thirds ,to go to tho married men and one-third to the single men. Messrs. Cameron (secretary) and White (president) returned thanks on behalf of the Bluff Watersido Workers' Union. Both referred to the unexpectedness and value of the donation, and said that the men would accept the gift in the spirit in which it was given. The Bluff unionists had stayed at work because they thought it was their duty honourably to observe the agreement they had entered into under tho Arbitration Act. . I Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. SYDNEY, December 22. It is stated that the free labourers who have been engaged in Sydney during tho striko have been \yithdrawn. Among them are a number of New Zealanders, who will be returned to tho dominion. THE WATERSIDERS AND THE FARMERS' UNION. TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—The question raised by me in opening of this correspondence was plain, simple, and straightforward. I 6aid the farmers' unions had resisted successfully an attempt to bring the farming industry under tho authority of the Arbitration Court, and I asked if it was' right and just for the Farmers' Union to assist, as an armed force, to compel other men to submit to the authority of that fiourt My "courageous" critics have striven to cloud the issuo in every way possible, but not one will answer the question raised by me. And the reason is simply that my contention is unanswerable, except by straight-out condemnation of such action, as unjust and inconsistent. And now " Perplexed " in Friday' 6 issue finds what he terms a " new text" contained in my answer to Mr MacGregor. " Perplexed " proposed to transposo my statements in such a manner that "white" will beoomo "black," and "black" become "red," and then it will appear that all tho inferences, innuendoes, and insinuations mado against me during this correspondence will be accounted for on the ground i that I havo " wantonly wounded," etc. . Ono answer will suffice. If "Perplexed" [ can quote a sentence from any letter of > mine that would wound tho feelings of any I woman or child :m the farming community, j let him name any charity in Otago and'l will donato a guinea to its funds and pub- ' lish an apology to those injured. If " Per- > plexed" cannot do so, he owes—not me— ■ but your readers an .apology. t With regard to calling out the shearers, > your correspondents are wrong. There has r been no general ballot, r.o general or special - call. Tho matter was left in the hands of i tho executive, and wise and moderate counsel prevailed, and tho shearers were not r called out, though tho three organisers to - the Shearers' Union resigned as a protest. Then I am asked by my critics; "Am I - in favour of tho 'Rod' Federation?" etc. • I have stated timo and again that I am - opposed to its policy on many grounds, and l that I am opposed to unprovoked and nn--7 necessary violence, whether mob law or polico r law. But the employers should be mado 1 to observe tho law and even-handed justice should bo dealt out. That was not dono in 1 tho causes that led up to tho strike, nor >■ did tho Government make any attempt to . settle the strike in tho best .interests of all concerned or with a desiro to do ju3tico to both sides Your correspondent in this day's issue, "Anti-Oant," says I dodged tho socialistic question at the last election. That is a straight-out mis-statement, and I challengo him to givo a single instance in any shape or form in support' of his statement. My attitude as an avowed Socialist has been y open and undisguised for 30 years. Tho same remark applies to " Anti-Cant's statemont that I write against those I havo " a 8 grudge against." ■ I writo without malice, and without fear, and in nine cases out of 10 I write, as now, " for the defonce, your Worship."—l am, etc., W. J). Mason. Middlemarch, December 22, [Wo think this correspondence may now be conveniently closed, unless the two correi- spondents to whom Mr' Mason issues chalo lenges desire to continue the discussion on V tho specific points respectively in question.— L, Ed. O.D.T.]

MR PAYNE, M.P., AND MR BELOHER. TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —With your permission I will reply quito briefly to the letter signed by All' William Belcher, appearing iu your issue of even date. First, I must' objoct to Mr Belcher putting- words into my mouth, and then asking mo to prove or disprove them. (1) I did not say that he " ordered the sailors and firemen back tu work." (2) I did not say that Mr Belcher "crawled to the bosses." What I did 6ay was that tho strike had revealed to the workers where their officers and leaders were—which were sterling metal and which wore only "rolled cold." And I did say that in tho future know how to deal with the Belchers and "others of that ilk." It is no use for Mr Belcher to try _to mako capital out of tho present situation nor by windy verbiage to try to vreate an impression taat ho i 6 an ultra erudite individual. I can safely leave him and liis caso in the hands of his Seaman's Union me.nl.pr*. I may bo wrong, of course, but I conoeivo it to be quite possible that the seamen and firemen of Dunedin may, later on, vote him a very small potato indeed, and r.ot worth while keeping in the basket at all. If it will give him any satisfaction to, 83 it is tormed, " wash some dirty linen in public," let him just name the time and place, and I will try to accommodate my arrangements accordingly.—l am etc., Jno. Patne, M.P. for Grey Lynn. City Hotel, December 22. THE RELIEF FUNDS. TO THE EDITOB. Sib,—l should like to ask, through you, what is to bo done with- the public money that ha 6 been subscribed for the relief of tho seamen and the watcreido workers? The Relief Committee absolutely refused to givo anything to the seamen on Saturday last. My comrades and I should very much like to know if the money in hand is to be returned to the kind-hearted folk who subscribed it, or is it to be confiscated by the Red Federation? An early answer will oblige all hands.—l am, etc., A Seamax. [If our correspondent refers to the fund raised by the local Distress Relief Committee, we believe wo nro correct in saying that it was raised for the relief of d:stress among the families of unionists who were thrown out of employment through the dislocation of trade consequent upon the strike.—Ed. O.D.T.]