THE RECENT STRIKE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15970, 13 January 1914, Page 7

THE RECENT STRIKE.

SOME FRICTION LOCALLY. Although work proceeds smoothly enough on the local wharves, there are still occasional signs of bad feeling between the arbitrationiets and cx-etrikere, and once or twice lately, so it is' said, this feeling has materalised to such an extent that ae a result some of tho arbitrationiets have ceaeed work. It is stated that the latest occurrence of this nature took place yceterday, when an arbitration.st working on the Victoria threw up his job, complaining that he h«d several times had a coul basket dropped on his head. It is felt by thosja directly concerned, however, that watchful care on the part of those in authority should soon put a stop to this eort of thing. . Mishaps of that kind must inevitably lead to the belief that tho person responsible is cither doing it deliberately—in which case he would instantly bo dismissed, —or that he was incompetent, and consequently not a suitable man for the work. MELEE AT WELLINGTON. CESSATION OF PILLAGING. (Per United Pkess Association.) WELLINGTON, January ' 1 2. The most eerious melee ejnee the strike ended occurred between the King and Glasgow wharves a night or two ago. While a party of half a dozen "coalies," who were new hands, were returning from tho Rotorua after tho day's work wae finished, they wore set upon by a party of ox-strikers, numbering 15 or 20. A general fracas occurred, when bottles and lumps of coal and fists wore used, and one ex-etriker was severely handled. His injuries are not serious, however. Inquiries show that practically no pillaging has been reported since tho strike. Prior to the strike a good many complaints were made, but it was very difficult to detect tho offenders.

The wharf officials say that compared with the aftermath of the strike of 1890 the present condit:ons are comparatively quiet and peaceful. No very eerioue ecrimmaginitr between the old and the new hands had occurred, whereas after tho former i-trike there were clashes for 12 months afterwards.

As a result of the conference between the employers and tho executive of the arbitration union the labour foremen have had strict instructions to give.preference w> men who joined during tho strike. Any foreman not conforming to this instruction will bo liable to dismissal. Although 200 or 300 preference tickets have been issued, very few were in evidence when labour wae put on this morning. They are not really necessary, however, as the foremen know most of the old and new hands by sight. About 300 or 400 ex-strikere were hanging about the wharves to-day unable to get work. MEETING AT CHRISTCHURCH. (Peb United Phess Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, January 12. Tho waterside workers meet to-night to discuss some matters, including certain clauses of tho industrial agreement concluded by the arbitrationists and employers before tho entrance of the ex-strikers. Tho members of the union dreiro to have the agreement revised by the Arbitration Court, and will move in that direction if possible.