SERIOUS DEVELOPMENTS.
RIOTS IN WELLINGTON. WELLINGTON, October 3. Tho dispute was oflicially handed over to the Federation of Labour yesterday. In announcing this at a public meeting to-day Mr Hickey said the federation was anxious to settle tho trouble, but only on terms acceptable to organised Labour. Tho employers showed a tendency to stand flatfooted in every dispute. The federation only had to say the word to bring about similar conditions in other parts of the country as existed in Wellington, Auckland, and Westport. The federation would fight hard if forced to. “ Scabs ” would not bo allowed to break this strike. Mr Faria nd, secretary of tho Waterside Workers’ Union, declared that tho men would not bo -1 batoned ” back to work. There is suflicjcnt coal for the (ram service and electric lighting to last seven weeks.
The beginning of trouble with tho, mounted special constables was the entranco of a striker into the ground where the police horses are picketed. Tho police endeavoured to remove the man, anti this wan tho signal for some hundreds of strikers to tear down the fence and rush the yard. Armed with sticks and stones they attacked tho specials, who, being unprepared and greatly outnumbered, mounted and rodo away. Soon after, at tho request of tho authorities, tho bluejackets were paraded, fully atmed. They lined up on the wharf, executed several movements, and returned to the ship. Their small quickfirors also received attention.
When a score of so of mounted special constables from the country were mustered in front of headquarters this morning they were stoned with newly-spread road metal, but they rode away from the crowd. The Strike Executive permitted, on humanitarian grounds, the landing of th® colt Sir Daniel from the Ulimaroa.
A substantial increase in strike rates on all marine covers is likely to be announced shortly. Up to the present 161 members of the crews of vessels laid up have been paid off. Tiio A theme was to sail for London today, but her departure was indefinitely postponed EXCITING STREET RIOT. SEVERAL MEN INJURED. (From Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, October 30. The contending parties really got into serious grips early this evening, and gave the citizens of Wellington a foretaste of the days of disorder ahead that are now threatened. As a result of riotous j roc codings between 4.30 and 6 o’clock, some halfdozen people at least have been injured, several quite seriously. The spark that started the blaze was loosed shortly before 5 o’clock by a disturbance starting outside Messrs Whitcombo and Tombs’s shop in Lambton quay. Itappeared that some special constables were walking down Willis street and into Lambton quay in twos and threes. Outside the shop mentioned several of the strike pickets accosted them, and almost in a moment a serious affray was in progress. Some of the special constables were forced into the doorway and obliged to defend themselves strenuously with their batons. A tremendous crowd immediately gathered, and regular and mounted constables began to appear. The affray lasted but a short time, and at the end of it several serious casualties were reported. Accounts differ considerably, and cannot bo fully verified at the moment, but it is fairly certain that two of the strikers were seriously hurt by being batoned, and were lying in the back of Whitcombo and Tombs’s premises unconscious. Another account states that four strikers and two constables were hurt. Th® doorway was smashed, and ono of the big windows cracked. At 5.15 the front of the premises was lined with bluo-coatcd police, while a squad of 50 mounted police was slowly moving and scattering the big crowd which filled th® street in front of it. Excitement woe in? tense on all sides, but no great body of strikers could be seen. CROWD CHARGED BY MOUNTED MEN. After this a big crowd, composed very iargcly of the 5 o’clock office folk, massed in Post Office square, but for half an hout nothing eventuated. Largo sections of th® crowd were on the point of dispersing when the most exciting event of the dav oo* curred. This was nothing leas than a.charge of mounted police to clear the equate, ill the course of which several of the crowd
wem\ knocked down and more or less iniur^p* 1 Ifc was a squad of 62 mounted constables, including many special constables from the country, who engaged in this demonstration. They left the Lambton quay station *nd proceeded quietly to Jervois quay, and went at a walking pace towards the square. When the crowd saw them coming it sprervd out towards them, and when sufficiently close clustered round their flanks and greeted them with mingled cheers and “boos.” The crowd was composed of a much higher percentage of the public than of the strikers, but the latter were vociferous in their “booings,” and even went further in their expressions of disapproval. In addition to crying “scabs” and other opprobrious epithets, detonators were thrown which exploded under the horses hootffe, ’without, however, . producing any crowd was very thick at the mouth of the Queen’s wharf, but the police passed this point and proceeded about 100 yards bevond. Then suddenly they turned. They were clear of the crowd by 100 yards. With kh'at space clear they wheeled and charged. On £he instant the cry (arose, ‘ Here they come. Look out!” The c C owd scattered marvellously. Desperately every man turned and rushed to the sides of the Kiuare Down the avenue the constables came at the gates. A thick mob of people • were unable to braak clear in time. A constable was pulled off his horse, which galloped on. One man—an elderly stevedore —was knocked down by the first division, and lay still till the whole squadron passed on. Two other men weiknocked down in front of the post office and then the police vanished aml “ st ,,® shower of stones thrown by some oi tne strikers. The rear was brought up by o a good way behind th- ° ; As Tus horse wge restive he was the spe mark for the stones. Men ran behind him and deliberately threw stones weighing pounds after him. Several passed quite close to his head, but he was not severely hit. In their passage across the square the constables had several dog hooks an heavy sticks thrown at them, but so Ja as could be seen no harm was done. The clearing effect of the charge was , marvellous. The people when it was over ■wera well scattered, and presented a marvellous example of the effect of the charge. The strikers were almost apopletic witn fury at the charge, and one man in a n of terrific rage declared that if he 10 that night he would kill others with him. Ten minutes after the charge Mr Hickey gathered a small crowd and invited the waterside’ workers to adjourn to the ’ ing room to hold a meeting to discuss the position. The troop of mounted constables then proceeded to the entrance to the Parliamentary Grounds, and niter lining up there for a few moments returned to their quarters. , , The affray at Whitcombe and Tombs “ resulted in" severe injuries being inflicted upon one of the soecial constables. <->no man was set upon by some strikers, and several other “specials” who wore going home for tea and were passing, went to ■ his assistance. In the succeeding goner.al melee the helmaft of one man was knocked off and a cut inflicted upon hie head which necessitated several stitches being made in
Constable Murray was about this time assaufted in Manners street, and injured bo much that ho is now in the hospital. In the coarse of the charge aC . ro ® s , t square stone-throwing was freely indulged in by the strikers, and Sergeant O Halloran was struck on the shoulder blade so heavily that he was somewhat severely injured. The stone-throwing on this occasion was deliberate and dastardly. The. presence of lI.M S. Psycne is regarded as having a very steadying effect upon the conduct of the waterside workers. A very wholesome fear indeed is _ entertained of the bluejackets, who paraded this morning with salutary effect, as reported elsewhere. QUESTION IN PARLIAMENT. INQUIRY TO BE MADE. (Feom Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, October 50. The incident which occurred during the dinner adjournment of the House of Representatives was referred to by the Leader of the Opposition (Sir Joseph Ward) when the House resumed at 7 30 n.m. Sir Joseph said that -whilst a large assemblage of people, many of them not connected with the strike in any way, were gathered in the Post Office square they were galloped over without any provocation by a large number of mounted constabes who bad their batons and revolvers displayed. Mr Massey; What! Sir J. Ward: I am told that that is true. A number of people, he had been told, had been knocked down and seriously injured by the mounted constables. He was in favour of maintaining law and order, but if these special constables were going to loso their heads in this way they I'ouid have bloodshed in the city.—(“ Hear, bear,”)
PRIME MINISTERS’S ASSURANCE. Mr Massey said that he had only just heard of the incident, but ho -would make inquiries regarding it, and if the statement made to Sir J. Ward was found to be correct steps would be taken to prevent its recurrence. As to the strike, the Government had made every possible endeavour to bring about a settlement of the dispute, but unfortunately up till the- present time these efforts had not been successful. The negotiations had been broken off, and it was impossible to say when they would be resumed The Government had no sympathy with such incidents as that alleged, but its duty was perfectly clear —viz., to keep our ports open to commerce, our industries going, and to put down lawlessness. — (“Hear. hear.”). “The Government,” continued Mr Massey, “ intends lo do everything possible to maintain law and order, and in this connection I want the support of the Right hon. gentleman (Sir J. Ward), as Leader of His Majesty’s Opposition, and that of every member on his side of the House—hear, hear ”),—as well as right-thinking men and women, in bringing this unfortunate trouble to an end. The more support wo get the sooner the trouble will end. The Government knows iu duty, and it is going to do it.” —(“ Hear, hear.”) Sir Joseph Ward said that he and all the members on his side of the House were opposed to lawlessness, but he would not stand quietly by whilst such incidents as that to which ho had referred occurred.— “ Hear, hear ”) Every reasonable effort ibould be made to settle the dispute before
any measures were taken to accentuate the position. Mr Massey said that, since making his previous remarks, he had been informed that the mounted constables, who were in charge of an experienced officer, had received extreme provocation byb<»ing pelted with stones and pieces of iron, and that it was only after another unfortunate incident, in which a constable was so seriously injured that he might not recover, that the incident in question had occurred. He repeated that inquiries would _bc made. Sir Joseph Ward said that his informant had told him that the whole of the provocation came from the constables, and that no stones were thrown until after they had galloped through the crowd. - Mr Webb asked the Minister of Justice (the Hon. A. L. Hefdman) whether he would withdraw the special constables.— (Loud laughter, and cries of “No, No!”) Mr Herdman (emphatically): There is no intention on the part of the Government to withdraw any special constables —(“ Hear, hear ”), —and the circumstances occurring during the last few days will probably make it imperative for a further batch of special constables to be enrolled, for the purpose of preserving order and protecting property and allowing law-abiding people to go about their business in -the ordinary way. — (“Hear, hear.”) Mr Webb: Then you will be responsible for any murders. THE EMPLOYERS’ FEDERATION. SYMPATHY OF THE TRAMWAY UNION. WELLINGTON, Ocobcr 30. At its meeting to-day the New Zealand Employers’ Fcderaion Conference carried the following motion: —“The peculiar geographical position of New Zealand makes it imperative that no stoppage in land or water transit shall be permitted to take place, and this federation pledges itself to use its utmost endeavour to secure the cooperation of the sheep-owners, farmers’ unions, and chambers of commerce to provide -ways and means by which all systems of transit shall be adequately maintained, and for this purpose it is desirable to arrange for a roll of names of persons in every district who are willing to assist in maintaining free and uninterrupted continuance of every form of transit.”
The secretary of the Tramways’ Union (Mr W. C. Noot) has addressed the following letter to Mr G. Farland, secretary of the Waterside Workers’ Union: —“I have been instructed by the executive of the Tramways’ Union to forward the following resolution, which was unanimously carried at a meeting held last night: ‘ That it be a recommendation to conductors and motormen not to carry free labourers on the cars. Motormen and conductors engaged on cars running to and from the railway station are to carry out their duties unless otherwise instructed by the executive. I am further instructed to convey to your Strike Commitce the beet wishes of the tramway men for the ultimate success of the fight they are at present engaged in on behalf of the workers of the dominion.’ ”
The tenor of the resolution was mentioned to the Mayor (Mr J. P. Luke). “The City Council,” lie replied, “ will have to safeguard the interest of the general public in the matter of transit. If any developments take place to interfere with the council in the discharge of its duty for which :t is responsible to the public, the council will act promptly and in a proper manner. The council will not submit to discriminating tactics bv employees. The service is for the whole public, and no discrimination can be permitted.”
GENERAL STRIKE CALLED. WELLINGTON, October 30. Mr W. T doling announced at 6 p.m. that all Waterside Workers’ Unions had been called out, and requested to cease work 'at once. GENERAL RISE IN PRICES. (Fhom Ocb Own- Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, October 30. That the people of Wellington are going to feel the effect of the present waterside workers’ strike, and that almost immediately, has been already established by the jump which the prices of ordinary commodities, the necessities of life, have taken within the last day or two. On Wednesday good Oamaru potatoes were selling as low as £3 10s per ton Yesterday the same lino of potatoes realised £7 per ton at the markets, and as'therc is only a very limited quantity of them the tendency is a firming one. Already there is a shortage of sugar :n Wellington, which should not be a lasting inconvenience as a supply (which usually arrives by steamer) could be forwarded by rail from'the Colonial Sugar Refining Company’s works at Auckland. At present, however, there is a shortage of stocks, and in sympathy with that shortage sugar has gone up £1 a ton. Flour (almost the whole of which conics from the south) is in fair supply, but, influenced by the demand, the price has been advanced by 22s 6d per ton on what it was a week ago. It is now selling at £ll per ton. Chaff has advanced from £5 5e to £6 10s per ton. It is understood that there will shortly be announced a substantial increase in strike rates on, all marine covers—namely, cargo and other property landed from or on board ships. The hold-up of so much cargo on oversea and intercolonial steamers is having a serious effect upon the Customs receipts. PROTECTION OF GOVERNMENT OFFICES. CIVIL SERVANTS AS SPECIAL CONSTABLES WELLINGTON. October 30. All the civil servants to day were invited to perform service in protecting Government property, and a call for enrolment as special constables was responded to by a very large proportion of the men in the offices Government building is lit up all round, and patrols guard the various Government offices. About 800 special constables were sworn In this afternoon, and more to-night. POSITION AT AUCKLAND. UNLOADING THE TOFU A. AUCKLAND, October 30. The principal development of interest in connection with the strike was expected when a concerted plan to handle with free labour the fruit cargo on the Tofua, berthed at the outer end of the new Queen's wharf, was put into effect this morning. Very complete arrangements had been made by the
Harbour Board officials, in conjunction with the police, to provide adequate safeguards in the event of a hostile demonstration on the part of the strikers. No attempt was made to interfere with the work. Mr Semple explained to a reporter that the Strike Committee had realised that the cargo of fruit on the Tofua meant a very great deal to a few struggling planters, and there was no desire on the part of the union to persecute these men, who were the ones most nearly concerned. The fruit, he understood, was the first shipment the planters of Haapai had been able to get away since the last devastating hurricane, and they were relying on it to set them on their feet again. It had therefore been decided to let it go through in the interests of those who had already suffered very greatly. The matter was not one which vitally affected the issue the men were fighting for, and no further objection would be offered this particular cargo being handled. After a day and a-half at the wharves with nothing doing, the colliers in port lott their berths this morning and went - o an anchorage in the stream In addition to the Union Company’s colliers Kornata. Rakanoa, and Koromiko, and the Westport Coal Company’s Canopus, there is the New Zealand Shipping Company’s Tongariro and the Island trader Hauroto. It is perhaps significant that although there is already at least 12,000 tong of caa 1 awaiting discharge at Auckland and Onehunga, the Kaituna left Westport and the new Blackball Company’s Ngahatu left Grcymouth yesterday, both with full cargoes for Auckland. STATEMENT BY MR SEMPLE. INCIDENTS ON THE WHARF. (Fno u Our Ows Correspondent.! AUCKLAND, October 30. “ The right to strike is sacred to the working class,” eaid Mr Semple, the fedoration organiser, at a meeting of the strikers to-day, “ even us the employers preserve the right to sack a man at will.” Continuing, Mr Semple said that he was sorry that the position l>ad become so serious. The Government had done nothing but incite the men with wild talk about batons and about one mounted policeman being more effective than 20 foot police. Last night 1100 extra batons had been served out to special police in Wellington. This sort of thing was only inciting disorder. Strikes in 1913 could not be settled with the club. He hoped the baton would not be used in Auckland; but he would say this: if the club was going to be used, the only thing for the men to do was to decline to allow their heads to bo used as targets, and to manufacture their own batons and use them in defence of their lives. A few onlookers derived a great deal of amusement from the discomfiture of a picket who attempted to induce the permanent men on the colher Glenory to strike. In his enthusiasm for' the cause he clambered aboard. Captain Jonas, the master of the steamer, made a pointed suggestion that he should return to the wharf. The picket refused with some emphasis, and thereupon Captain Jonas caught him by the neck of the coat with one hand and by the seat of tho trousers with the other, and heaved him up on to the jetty much in the same way as the powerful skipper might handle a sack of coal. Asked by a reporter this morning as to the attitude of the Auckland Harbour Board towards tho strike, Mr J. A. Gunson said a special meeting had been held this morning to consider the matter, and a definite line of action had been agreed upon. “The board had decided,” said Mr Gunson. “to take the necessary steps to enable the shipping companies to carry on the work of discharging their steamers as there is plenty of labour available if sufficient protection be provided against the strike element.” FARMERS THINKING HARD.
There is every reason to believe that the farming community in Auckland is weighing- the matter of the strike wjth a depth of feeling that augurs serious intentions. The Advisory Committee of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, Auckland province, has conferred frequently during the past day or two, and it is understood that every one of its 70 branches has been communicated with both by wire and letter. The associated farmers’ co-operative societies are also on the alert. ■ PREPARE TO RESIST VIOLENCE.” AUCKLAND, October 30. Mr Semple addrcsed a noisy mass meeting in Victoria street late to-night. Ho stated that information he had received from Wellington was to the effect that the workers there had been clubbed, but had shown they could club back again, and got the best of it. —(Loud cheering.) The Auckland workers would try to avoid bloodshed, but should be prepared to resist violence. Ho recommended the strikers to arm themselves with batons ready for any emergency. Mr Semple concluded: —“These people have batons to club you. and I ask you, for the defence of your characters, of your manhood, of your wives and families, to bo ready to club them back again.— (Cheers and hoots.) LYTTELTON MEN CEASE WORK. SERIOUS OUTLOOK FOR THE STRIKERS. CHRISTCHURCH. October 30. The Federation of Labour called out the Lyttelton waterside workers by telegram at 4 o’clock. They are now on strike. Already the men are feeling the pinch very badly. Owing to the small amount of work offering in Lyttelton, a very large proportion of the men have been idle for days, and they will be in a very bad position to face the strike. News with regal'd to the declaration of the strike was received very quietly at Lyttelton. The Warrimoo and Kairaki had just finished loading when the call came. The ferry steamer Wahino completed taking in bunker coal, but an efitort which was being made to ship emergency supplies in the forward hold was nipped in the bud. O.ne of the earliest effects of the strike is the rise in the price of fruit in Christchurch. A Press reporter was informed to-day that if the strike continues for any length of tirpe the supplies of sugar in Christchurch will run out, the city being dependent on Auckland for supplies. As far as other groceries are concerned, it is not anticipated ttiat there will be any marked shortage. A CALL TO FARMERS’ SONS. " PROTECTION OF THE DAIRY INDUSTRY. PALMERSTON N., October 30. The Wellington ,Provincial Executive of
the Farmers' Union, presided over by Mr J. G. Wilson, to-day decided to issue a pamphlet calling upon tanners’ sons to volunteer to work on the wharves for the sake of the dairy industry. “We must defend ourselves and protect the fruit of our industry,” concludes the circular. A large "proclamation” placard has also been prepared to be posted up at creameries and centres where young farmers work. This points out the injury the strike will effect to the dairy industry, and contains an appeal from the defence committees of the union. It shows that from £3 to £5 a week can be earned, and that full protection will be given. “We know,” it concludes, “ the inconvenience this must bo at such a season, but at all hazards the industry must be protected lest it collapse.” Forms have been drawn up for the men to sign. They are as follows: —“I ——-, of upon with my horse to act as a special constable to protect free labour loading or unloading vessels (Signed) . Witness: .” This is to be sent to the nearest police station. SERIOUS LOSSES IN NELSON DIS- » TRICT. * NELSON, October 30. The strike is already causing serious losses to growers of strawberries, gooseberries, and green pens, the latter of which were selling Ui Wellington last week at Is 6d a peck, but are now being retailed locally at prices varying from 6d to 9d. It is reputed that somegrowers contemplate feeding the pigs on the peas rather than incur the expense of picking and marketing in Nelson at unremunerative prices. Strawberries arc ripening fully, and prices have dropped from Is 9d to 2s wholesale in Wellington a few days ago to 9d and Is per pottle locally at present. The local jam and confectionery manufacturers are approaching a standstill owing to the supply of sugar having run out, and further supplies being at present unprocurable. A sugar famine is reported from Takaka. There is also some anxiety regarding flour supplies hero, which are obtained from the south.
Work is practically at a standstill on the wharves. It is understood that the local waterside, workers generally are not in sympathy with the strike.
GISBORNE WATERSIDE WORKERS. GISBORNE, October 30. The Gisborne waterside workers are under the Arbitration Act. It is understood that the men received a telegram from the Federation Executive to-day inviting them to join in the strike movement, but an acceptance is not likely, as the men have had what they term a ‘‘hard time” lately, and are looking forward to the busy season to make up their little financial difficulties. Undoubtedly the general feeling of the men is against a rupture of any kind of the present arrangement. POSITION AT WESTPORT. POSSIBILITY OF MINERS STRIKING. WESTPORT, October 30. In accordance with a resolution arrived at last night by the Waterside Workers' Union, none of the wharf labourers turned up for work this morning. This afternoon the Union Company’s Kowhai, and the Anchor Line’s Nikau and Waverley dropped down to the staiths to load bunker coal to enable them to proceed to Greyrnouth. The waterside workers gathered along the waterfront and succeeded in inducing the seamen not to assist in bunkering, instructions having been received from Wellington to that effect. The captain and officers and the permanent railway staff handled the trucks of coal above the bins, and the engineering staff did the trimming on board the vessel. The men were subjected to a good deal of banter, but nothing of a hostile . nature was attempted. All three vessels subsequently left, for Greyrnouth. The town is very quiet. The business people arc running short of flour, sugar, and other produce. Bad weather to day prevented the men from engaging in whitehaiting, usually a very profitable business. The mines are idle. CARGO DELAYED AT SYDNEY. SYDNEY, October 30. The Union Company notifies that owing to the New Zealand strike no Wellington cargo will be shipped by Saturday’s steamer. DUNEDIN MEN JOIN THE STRIKE. LOCAL BUSINESS DISORGANISED. Late on Thursday afternoon Dunedin was drawn into active participation in the Wellington waterside workers’ strike, a telegram being received from the Federation of Labour calling upon the Dunedin waterside workers to cease work. SHORTAGE OF SUGAR. BUSINESSES AND EMPLOYEES AFFECTED. Inquiries amongst local merchants show that they are only carrying small stocks of sugar. As a matter of fact, merchants do not usually stock up heavy quantities of sugar, relying on regular shipments coming from Auckland as required. The shortage of sugar, however, is not likely to seriously affect the supply for household consumption, but the large confectionery and jam-making establishments must quickly feel the pinch if supplies continue to be cut off.
The big foundries in Dunedin are going to suffer as a result of’inability to get iron manufactures through to the North Island. Furthermore, other manufacturing concerns are also having this outlet for their wares cut out. The employees are going to suffer, too. Good stocks of household coal are stored in merchants’ yards, etc., and there need be no fear of any shortage for this coal for several weeks at least. Steam coal, however, is not too plentiful. The railways have got an unusually large quantity of coal stacked in the yards near the Anderson’s Bay engine sheds, and apparently have enough to fill their requirements for a considerable time. The Gasworks, too, are holding a big quantity. CALL FOR LAW AND ORDER. SHORTAGE OF COAL AND FLOUR. WELLINGTON, October 31. It is estimated that at least 5000 water-
eiders are idle throughout the dominion a« a, result of the general calling out. The police absolutely deny any shooting by “permanents” or “specials’' last evening. Up to 1 o’clock this afternoon 1000 special constables had been sworn in. The Marere, from London via Auckland, arrived, and anchored in the harbour. At the annual meeting of the Corporation of the New Zealand Industrial Association to-day the following resolution was adopted; “That this conference views with concern the evident desire and attempt on the part of a minority of irresponsible labour leaders to override all law anti order, and calls upon the Government to take such steps as arc necessary to preserve the liberty of action of every person in the lawful and peaceful transaction of his business, feeling assured that all the employers and the vast majority of workers would strongly support any steps taken with this object. Some Wellington bakers are at their wits’ end with regard to the supply of flour. Two of them have exhausted their stocks, and, as further supplies arc not available, owing to the stoppage of so many steamers, they have been compelled to shut down for a time. Several other bakers anticipate having to close down next week for the same reason. During' the week the coal yards in the city and suburbs have been gradually depleted, and as there are no means of replenishing stocks at present the outlook for householders is not too promising In connection with tne case in which a rough handling was to a Wellington South resident, it appears that the man went down to the Post Office square on Saturday morning, although he had not worked on the wharf, and was not a “scab” as he.,had been termed. Ho was well known to most of the strikers, but after asserting that he did not believe in strikes ho was attacked by the mob, and received a severe handling. He managed to run away, hut was quickly pursued by the strikers, and at the corner of Lambton quay and Willis street succeeded in ing a south-bound' car. A number of strikers jumped aboard after him, but when the car had reached Mercer street a picket prevented any further trouble. According to a statement by the man’s wife, ho waa in a terrible condition when he arrived home, having been scVcrclv bruised about the head. As a result of the maltreatment the man’s condition became so had that ho had to be taken to the mental hospital.
UNION’S POINT OF VIEW. OFFICIAL STATEMENT. WELLINGTON, October 31. The Waterside Workers’ Union to-day made the following statement: "The union has agreed to resume work under the old agreement and maintain the status quo of wages and conditions. The employers demand the abolition of the union, the abrogation of the agreement, and the denial of the waterside workers as a whole to organise into one union. As certain misapprehensions are existing in the minds of the pubbe as to the cause of the present trouble the committee wi'shtis to have the position clearly put before the people “The agreement which was granted as a result of conferences, and which was dated July 1, 1912, contained the following clause: ‘ Work in the stream, at dry docks, and clip men engaged to work within limits of any harbours covered by this agreement to be paid from time of engagement uj> to time of arrival at the wharf and return at the rate fixed for the class of labour on which they are engaged.’ It was also specified that - this should apply to Lyttelton dry dock and the slip. This payment of travelling time was made up till the time the new Evans Bay works of the Union Steam Ship Company were established at the rate of Is extra per day on each day’s wages. Immediately these works were established this payment was stopped without the consent of the union, notwithstanding the numerous representations made to the Union Company on the subject. The matter was then laid before several meetings of the union, when it was decided to make a collective request of the whole of the workers who were employed in this particular department. The union secretary was instructed to interview the Shipwrights’ Society, and as a result that body decided to join the. Waterside Workers’ Union and to forward fresh claims embodying those requests to the Union Steam Ship Company. “ The Shipwrights’ Society had been in receipt of travelling time or provision of a conveyance in lieu thereof ever since the slip was built. The company in this instance docked their travelling time without even reporting its intention to do so to the Shipwrights’ Society. The claims of this society were then forwarded to the various employers concerned and an advance of Id per hour was offered with conditions of work greatly inferior to what had already been in existence. In fact, a proposal was made demanding that the men (the shipwrights) should work on the shift system —a condition of employment that could not on any account bo allowed to be introduced in any agreement of waterside workers. “ The employers claimed that the waterside workers had - no right to advance the claims of the shipwrights. This the Waterside Workers’ Union knew to be absolutely inconsistent, and a new line of policy on the part of the company, seeing it had already to meetithc union in respect to its harbour steamers’ employees. In fact, certain steps had been previously taken to enter into an agreement with the union with respect to the harbour steamers’ employees, although this was (for other reason's) not accepted by the union. Thus a precedent had been established. “It is astonishing to the committee that on 13th Juno, 1912, the Union Company admitted by letter that it was quite clear that by clause 5 of the agreement the men employed at Evans Bay were entitled to payment for travelling time. This the coriipany said had been lost sight of owing to our having allowed the men to use the vehicles in use by us in connection with the works at Evans Bay, and this privilege being regarded as a set-off against travelling time. ‘l'(the Union Company) agree with you, however,’ the letter states, ‘ that the men are entitled to payment, and the question to be decided is the time involved.' “The Patent Slip Company, as an embodiment of the Union Steam Ship Company’s yards and the old patent slip, was formed, and notwithstanding that both places of work are not over 100 yards from each other, and both belong to the one company, payment for travelling time was allowed in the agreement for the patent slip alone, and it was docked for those who worked'in the yard. In other words,
wo got payment for the slip, but for the yard! which is an integral part of the undertaking, we are not paid. “ To show how considerate the union was, it allowed payment for the patent slip when making the new agreement to oh the lowest scale—namely, three-quarters of an hour ordinary time—whereas the agreement stipulated that the travelling time should be allowed at the rates for the cl “® ° f "°i k the labour was engaged in In other words, the union was agreeable for the men to be paid a less rate than was in accordance with the strictly literal interpretation of the agreement. This explains why „ .? Society joinea die Waterside Workers’ Union. "The shipwrights were unsuccessful in coming to an agreement with the shipowners, and the matter was next brought before a general of the union, at which 20 men were present. IJm meeting being averse to taking any drastic action without first consulting the members as a whole, and knowing that a ballot would take some time to obtain, as a large number of members were away, decided to settle the question prior to gOmg to woik on the following morning. Iherc were then but a few ships in the harbour at the time, and these men were asked to stop work, alsoto attend the meeting. The meeting occupied 1 hour 20 minutes. No drastic action was taken at the meeting. On the com trary, the matter of the shipwrights dispute was handed over to the Federation of Labour for further negotiations with the employers. The men who left work to attend the meeting found their places filled by others. Representations were then made to the employers that this course of action would immediately cause trouble, and a request was mad© that the work should go on until the matter was brought before the local committee for settlement. Instead of taking this course the employers threw down the gauntlet and tore up tne agreement. Several attempts were made to bring the employers to a sense of their responsibility, but without avail, until their action made it plain to the waterside workers in general, both permanent and casual, that a drastic attempt was being made to wipe this organisation —namely ,the Waterside Workers Union out of existence. “ All stations of labour along the waterside, including the Harbour Board men, tally clerks, men engaged in wharf construction, and others rallied round the union in support, and gave their absolute assurance that they would not work with free labour, and, if ultimately requested to do so, they would step out. The union did not desire to extend this trouble beyond the limits of those practically concerned—namely, those of its own organ'Nation. It requested all workers not to work with free labourers, but rather to sacrifice their positions. This assurance was given. Assistance has been readily rendered by the larger section of the general public, which has shown sympathy with the desire of the watersiders to maintain their union. They will not be beaten into subjection by hardwood batons and the revolvers of special constables, who are really not the legitimate police, with whom they have no quarrel. The committee gives its assurance that >f the agreement is reinstated and given a clean slate, work at the port will proceed apace as if no interruption had taken place. “It is a significant fact, in view of the drastic action which the employers have taken in considering that a breach or the agreement meant the abrogation of an agreement, that if that were so the majority of the awards in New Zealand would long ago have been abolished. The number of cases in which employers have been charged with a breach of agreement (vide Labour Department’s report) were 436, whereas the employees’ breacncs were 136. These figure** speak for themselves. If, then, the broach of an agreement meant the abrogation of it, there would not be a single award in existence to-day. The committee sanctions no rioting and no disorder. The men are determined to win with the assistance of all the workers in New Zealand, if necessary The trouble last night was most regrettable, as it plainly shows to the committee that the Government, if the actions of the police wore in accordance with instructions from the police authorities, will use every means to subject the workers to the humiliating conditions desired by the employers.”
POSITION IN AUCKLAND. CAMPAIGN OF INTIMIDATION. AUCKLAND, October 31. Systematic intimidation was employed by an organised force of strikers tliis morning to prevent the handling of cargo on the waterfront. During nearly three hours a company, which varied from 100 to 200 men, patrolled the wharves and compelled the steamers’ crews to cease work, the carters to leave the wharves, and all work to stop. This exercise of authority which the strikers have assumed was under the observation of the police, but as only a few constables were stationed on each wharf no attempt was made to oppose the strikers actions.
Shortly before 9 o’clock a company of about 150 strikers marched on to Hobson wharf, where the Wcstralia was berthed. One of the leaders announced that only passengers’ luggage would be permitted to be landed. A warning was given that u free labour was introduced to handle the cargo the strikers would not accept the responsibility for the result. From Hobson wharf the strikers marched to Hobson extension. On the way they came upon five drays loaded with coke, which was to be placed aboard a scow for shipment to Warkworth. The strikers capsized the drays. Apparently repenting ot the act of violence, some of the men subsequently loaded the coke into the drays again, and marched back to the Northern •wharf. Several vessels of the Northern Company’s fleet were berthed at flic wharf, and cargo was being handled by the crews and the regular employees of the company. In every instance the threat of violence conveyed by the crowd was realised, and all work was stopped. The vessels berthed at the shore end of King’s wharf were also forced to submit to the domineering of the strikers.
Presently it was observed that work had been resumed on the Northern wharf, and the men ran to the steamer. The master of the VVaiotahi refused to stop work, and at this the strikers threatened to take from tho hold all the cargo already loaded. In answer the captain offered to knock down the fust man that stepped on to his vessel. However, ho decided that he was powerless against such numbers, and ordered the crew to put on the hatches. Later in the day another attempt was made to load cargo into the Waiotahi, but another display of force y?as made, and tho vessels finally sailed for Thames without completing loading. Tho carters engaged m the delivering of goods to the wharves for ship-meat by th,e
coastal steamers during the morning were also forced to desist. .Stocks of sugar held by wholesale merchants have already been exhausted, and many of the retail stores have sold out their supplies. The price to-day for 6lb of sugar was Is 3d which is 2d higher than the usual price. A lighter loaded with sugar from the Sugar Companv at Chelsea crossed to King’s wharf on Thursday afternoon, and the contents were partially unloaded when the strikers forced the workmen to replace it. . The Watersiders’ Union officials .disclaim the responsibility of the action of pickets in stopping the loading of cargo of the coastal steamers with the Northern Company’s own men. They assert that the strikers acted without authority.
POSITION AT LYTTELTON. CHRISTCHURCH, October 31. To-day Lyttelton Harbour boro a very deserted appearance. The only arrivals this morning were the Ulimaroa, from Sydney, via Wellington, with a few passengers on board. In all the vessel had about 170 tons of cargo to land at Lyttelton, but was unable to discharge it. Included amongst the cargo is 400 cases of fruit, but this, too, has to be carried on to Dunedin. The John loaded 400 out of 700 cases with her master, officers, crew, and engineers before they were stopped. Throughout 'he morning the ferry steamer Maori was bunkered by the permanent staff of the Union Company. Stores were placed on both the Maori and the Ulimaroa without any effort, being made to stop them. When a picket went round to the Cygnet this morning they wore followed at a respectful distance by an inoffensive-looking young man with a camera. Ho took several snapshots of the incidents with reference to the cessation of work, but then a picket pounced on him. He pleaded that he was only an amateur engaged in a peaceful and inqffensive occupation. “ 1 know him,” said one man; “he's a newspaper photographer.” The picket commenced to act at once, and the photographer was ordered to destroy the plates he had exposed. They ordered the destruction of the lot of them. The plates were exposed to the light and scratched to make assurance doubly sure. CLOTHING FOR THE ANTARCTIC. IFbou Oca Own Corrkspotoi»t 4 CHRISTCHURCH, October 31. While the fruit merchants were vainly urging their claims on the strikers to-day, a representative of the Kaiapoi Woollen. Manufacturing Company presented an interesting case. His firm had booked a case of woollen clothing for the Mawson Antarctic expedition by the Ulimaroa, consigned to the ship Aurora, now providing stores at Hobart, preparatory to sailing to the relief of Di Mawson and his shore party in Adelie Land. The woollen clothing was urgently required for the Antarctic men, and it would be too late if it did not go by the Ulimaroa. The statement of the circumstances was listened to by the Union Committee, and it is a striking tribute to their interest in the Antarctic expeditions—some of them had had to do with those that had made Lyttelton their headquarters that they gave permission for the precious case to be shipped in the Ulimaroa. Watched very closely by the pickets, the Kaiapoi' Company’s man and a lad, assisted by a railway foreman, pushed a truck abreast of the Ulimaroa’s after-hatch. The strikers lent no assistance, but between them the tliree amateurs got the case on to the wharf. The case was shipped with the passengers’ luggage at 2 p.m.
TIMARU WORKERS. TIMARU, October 31. The local waterside workers are under the Arbitration Act, and show no sympathy with the strike. They loaded 1500 tons of produce into the Wauaka for Auckland today. THE STATE MINERS. DECIDED TO CEASE WORK. (Fhou Ocu Own Correspontient. ) GREYMOUTH, October 31. A mass meeting of the State miners was held last evening, when it was decided to cease work. In consequence of the strike both mines are idle, including outside men, such as carters, blacksmiths, etc. It was decided to allow the engine-drivers to continue working, although had they been instructed they would have ceased work, being members of the federation. MEETING OF GRANITY MINERS. WESTPORT. October 31. The crew of the Putiki did the necessary work this morning in bunkering the vessel. They refused the -’request of the waterside workers not to handle the coal. The Granity Miners’ Union hold a mass meeting and decided to make common cause with Wellington and Himtly, and passed a resolution asking the Federation of Labour to call out all the mines. The meeting appointed a delegate to act on Westport’s Strike Committee, and decided to ask the Westport waterside workers to allow produce to be landed. The Anchor Lino’s vessel Rcgulus, bound for Westport with 1000 bags of chaff, was signalled on to Greymouth. NEWS FROM OTHER DISTRICTS. NEW PLYMOUTH, October 31. Many farmers are ready to assist the authorities either as free labourers or protectors. NAPIER, October 31. Work is proceeding as usual at the port and breakwater. The local watorsiders are not affiliated to the federation, hence they are not concerned in the Wellington trouble. The Carters’ Union, however, recently carried a resolution to go over, but the meeting was by no means representative, and it is doubtful if an order to ‘down tools” would bo obeyed. If, however, either carters or watersiders arc asked to handle ‘‘free labour cargo,” the situation will suddenly develop into seriousness. MASTERTON, October 31. Supplies of flour and sugar are very short here, and merchants are cutting down orders to small quantities. INVERCARGILL, October 31. The possibility of the strike extending to Southland is being discussed by the waterside workers at Bluff. They are not affiliated with the Federation of Labour, p.rd 60 far have not shown a disposition to strike. The Nightcaps minors, however, arc affiliated, and if they cease work there would be a danger of a coal famine._ The gasworks have seven weeks’ reserve of coal, but the tramways are not bo well provided.
GREYMOUTH, October 31. The waterside workers here ar© under the Arbitration Court, but it is understood they are not in sympathy with the strikers. The grocers and coal merchants had the busiest day for years, people getting in supplies against the likelihood of shortage There is no danger of a meat famine, as large supplies of stock can be obtained now from South Westland. Flour and sugar are very short. _lf the vessels stop running, vegetables, which ar© mostly obtained from Nelson, will be very dear. ' INFLUENCE ON THE DAIRY INDUSTRY. A.UCKLAND. October 31. The strike is likely seriously to affect the dairying industry in the Waikato. The cold storage is practically all taken up, and if relief is not forthcoming within the next few weeks some of the dairy factories will be compelled to close down. Should such a contingency arise the blow will be a serious one to the Waikato dairymen, as the factories will be unable to receive the milk, while the herds will still require full attention or deteriorate, and the unfortunate owners will be compelled to feed their milk to pigs and calves, or otherwise dispose of it at a considerable loss. The local branches of the Farmers’ Union and the Waikato Winter and Summer Show Associations telegraphed to the Prime Minister to-day offering to raise a force of 2000 farmers and their sons, armed if necessary, provided they are guaranteed protection. POSITION IN DUNEDIN. WATERSIDE WORKERS COME OUT, SCANT SYMPATHY FOR WELLINGTON. Great interest was shown on Friday in the attitude of the waterside workers nere, as it was known that a definite decision would have to be. made by them regarding the call from the Federation of Labour to leave the work. Th© meeting which made to leave work. Early in the morning the news spread that the men had decided to come out in sympathy with their fellows, but to be properly understood this decision must be regarded in conjunction with several ofher significant circumstances and considerations. The meeting which made tire decision was attended by about 150 of the 300 members belonging to the union, and, contrary to expectation, the vote taken was an open one. It was scarcely to be wondered at that every man rose in favour of obeying the call of the federation, but from conversation with the workers afterwards it is evident that many of them seriously question the wisdom of their own decision. One consideration that weighed heavily with them was the desire to escape the unsavoury name of “scab” that would doubtless have been hurled at them from all parts of the dominion and from Australia, had they decided to show no sympathy with th© action of the men in Wellington. They wore not slow to realise, too, that as there is practically no work offering on the Dunedin wharves at the present time they would be no worse off if they did come out on strike. In the absence of any real ill-feeling between employees and employees there seems little reason to suppose that matters will not be satisfactorily and amicably smoothed out her© in the course of a few days without any serious developments. After Friday morning s meeting steps were immediately taken to arrange the formation of a new Waterside Workers Union, outside the Federation of Labour, and to be registered under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, and it is understood that those in charge of the arrangements hope to have these completed by Monday. A Press Committee has been sot up, and all information will be supplied to the press through it. No reports will bo authentic unless bearing the names of tho Press Committee. . , The Press Committee consists of the following: Messrs A. May, W. Dwight, R. Miller, J. Griffen, D. Maxwell.
LOCAL INDUSTRIES. NUMBERS OF HANDS DISMISSED. Apparently the fears that have been entertained as to the very grave effects of the strike on local industries are going to be fully realised. At a time like this the extent to which Dunedin supplies other parts of the dominion with commodities is brought forcibly homo to the community, for numbers of manufacturers are finding that their stores are already fully stocked and that they cannot continue manufacturing for local requirements, but must wait until an outlet for their goods is again provided. On Friday Messrs Hudson and Co were obliged to dispense with 30 of their hands from the biscuit department. This is their busy season preparing for the Christmas trade, and as they have been able to send away nothing this week to the northern centres their stores are now full. Work in the confectionery department can be continued a little longer, but if the disturbance is not settled by the end of next week the whole 200 hands will have to go, and the factory will be closed down altogether. Similarly, Messrs Speight and Co. have boon unable to got their liquors away or to have empty casks returned to them, and as their stock of casks is not unlimited they found it necessary on Friday to give about 100 hands a week’s notice. Only a few will be retained for repairing and casual work. The local flour mills are being seriously affected. The average weekly export of flour, bran, and pollard from Dunedin is about 1000 sacks, and as this outlet is completely blocked it is obvious that the flour mill staffs will have to be reduced very shortly. The carrying firm of Messrs. Crust and Crust on Friday gave formal notice to its drivers that their services would not bo required at the close of a week. This, of course, docs not mean that the men are being dispensed with, but the shipping trade being so disorganised has a serious effect on a good part of the company’s business, and if there is no change for the better in the position by the end of the week it will be necessary for the firm to dispense with the services of a certain proportion of the men. probably one-fourth, or one third. There will, of course, be a cei-
tain amount of work to be done locally, a-ud the principle adopted by the firm of giving a general notice is to permit of the proportions being arranged to suit the circumstances as they present themselves on Friday.
MR YOUNG’S REPLY. WELLINGTON, October 31. In reply to a statement telegraphed from Dunedin that the Seamen’s Union demand Mr W. T. Young’s resignation either as secretary of the Seamen’s Union or as president of the Federation of Labour, Mr Young said this afternoon; — “ I may say that I take absolutely no notice whatever of it, for the reason that officers of the Wellington branch are not at the dictation of a meeting of 12 or 13 members that might assemble at Dunedin. So far as Auckland is concerned, I know nothing about any attitude that they have taken up with regard to the strike. A branch is at liberty, of course, to please itself-in any action that it may take just the same as this branch is. I will not personally tolerate any interference from Auckland or Dunedin, which two places have been deadends in the seamen’s organisation for the past 18 months. The only real bit of activity displayed on behalf of the seamen of ill is country can safely be laid at the door of the Wellington branch. My position in the Seamen’s Union is one for the members of that body to determine. So far as the communication from Dunedin is concerned, I shall certainly place it before a mass meeting of seamen for their consideration.” POSITION AT PORT CHALMERS. EFFECT ON SHIPPING. Early on Friday morning the Port Chalmers waterside workers hold a meeting to consider the position, and it was unanimously decided to go out on strike in sympathy with their Wellington confreres. A similar resolution having been arrived at by the Dunedin waterside workers, it simply meant that no work would bo done on the wharves whatever. The immediate result was the departure of the big liner Wainiato from Port Chalmers for Australian loading ports without undergoing docking, as previously decided upon. The Waimatc has been chartered by the Union Company to take the place of the wrecked steamer Tyrone, and the docking of the big vessel would have meant the disbursement of close upon £2OO in Port Chalmers. The Waitomo was sent away on Friday afternoon to Oamaru, taking with her 1000 tons of Newcastle coal which should have been landed at Dunedin. Th© collier Kamo arrived at Dhnodin on Friday afternoon from Westport, having landed part of her coal cargo at Lyttelton. She brought 700 tons of coal for Dunedin, but, as the men would not work her cargo, the Union Company decided to lay the vessel up and pay off her crew. The Kamo will therefore go down to Port Chalmers to-day, and advantage will be taken of the opportunity to fit her with new derricks and give her an overhaul. - BREWERS AND BOTTLERS’ UNION. At a meeting of the Dunedin Brewers, Bottlers, and Bottle-washers’ Union, held at the Trades Hall on Friday, th© following resolution was carried:—‘‘That this union, is of opinion that the navy 'should only be used to protect New Zealand from foreign aggression, and views with alarm the action of the Massey Government in permitting a naval brigade to march with death-dealing weapons, bared, .with the avowed object of overawing the strikers. It further protests against mounted constables being used to ride down and baton defenceless citizens, and it calls on the working class to forget differences of tactics and solidify their ranks so as to secure protection from the dominance of an. arrogant and aggressive plutocracy.”
K AIT AN G ATA MINERS. SYMPATHETIC STRIKE THREATENED. On Thursday night the Clutl.a Leader’s Kaitangata correspondent wired that, at a general meeting of the Miners’ Union hold there that evening, at tho instance of the executive, a motion was passed heartily endorsing tho action of the Huntly minors in their protest against victimisation. A further motion was carried that tho union “go the whole hog, if necessary.” The meeting was attended by 62 out of a membership of 350. A special general meeting will probably he held on Saturday evening to further Consider tho matter in the light of events at that time. There are grave fears that a strike is imminent. STRIKE-BREAKING FARMERS. Sib, —With tho waterside workers’ dispute the farmer is again to the fore as an interfering outsider. Is it not high time for the farmer to sit down and ask himself what he is getting out of it ? What did he get out of the slaughtermen’s strike, for instance? Nothing, so far us I can see, but a bad name. The farmers were bluffed into the belief that they would get their stock away if they became strike-breakers during the strike. But they didn’t. Tire Press Association messages made tho public believe that the farmers were getting rid of their stock. The recent statement of the Minister of Railways completely disproves the positive assertions of pressmen who were being fooled by the meat companies. Hundreds of farmers know that when a buyer came to draft a lino of sheep he only took one where in other seasons he would have taken three.
Then look at the state of the market during all this time. Weekly reports of auctioneering firms show that the bottom was right out of the fat stock market wherever the trouble remained unsettled. We know of instances where farmers lost 5s a head on sheep while trying to save three-tenths of a penny for the companies. What did the companies lose? Nothing at all, if their own annual balance sheets arc to be believed. All the companies are paying their usual dividends of 8 per cent, and upwards. One—the Wanganui Meat Company—claims to have had a record season. Others are equally satisfied with the result. As a matter of fact, the companies have made so much out of the farmers that they can pay fat dividends whether they kill for a season or not.
There is one matter, that is probably unknown to the farmer, and this is my reason for this letter. The slaughtermen’s strike was declared off many months ago; but the meat companies have set out to make perpetual war upon the old slaughtermen. The British notion of chhivalry towards the defeated is an unknown quantity with them. For instance, after the strike was declared off. and there was an opportunity to get competent men to relievo the pressure of stock several of the companies continued to -ill vacancies with all sorts of hack-era and scratchers. What Is more, they intend to continue this policy throughout the coming season. If, therefore, the farmers find themselves with two-thirds of their stock on their hands again this season they will begin
to review their position in the light of expensive and bitter experience. And, beside#, if anybody, employer or worker, is looking for feud ho is generally accommodated in the long run. The slaughterman who secs hk working mates harassed and hunted is no exception to the rule.—l am, etc., M. J. Reardon. Wellington, October 29. •DESIRE EOR A SETTLEMENT. ANOTHER CONFERENCE SOUGHT. DEPUTATION TO MR MASSEY. SHORTAGE OF SUPPLIES. WELLINGTON, November 2. At a special meeting of the represents tiyes of all the unions in Wellington., held this morning, the position of the crisis was outlined by the representatives of the United Federation of Labour. After a full discussion it was decided I—' ' That th:s meeting considers that th+ proposals submitted by the United Federation of Labour as a basis of settlement aro fair and reasonable, and urges upon the lion. W. P r . Massey and Sir Joseph Ward to promote a further conference between the parties with a view to the consideration of these proposals, and that a delegation from this meeting be appointed to wait upon the Prime Minister and Sir Joseph Ward to urge upon them the need of calling a conference. Two proposals were submitted by the Federation of Labour as follows: — (1) That all waterside workers should at once resume work on the same conditions as were operating prior to the cessation of operations, and that a conference bo immediately held between the shipping companies and the parties concerned for the purpose of drafting a nowagreement. (2) That the present national agreement be extended for a period to bo arranged from date to cover the watef fronts of the dominion, with a penalty to be arranged for the stoppage, of work am defined by clause 28 of the old agreement. It is understood that the Hon. Mr Massey, Sir J. G. Ward, Mr Young, Mr Hickey, and Mr Semple are holding a • conference this afternoon on the foregoing proposals. ATTACKS ON MOUNTED MEN. WELLINGTON, November 2. There were several serious stoning inot dents yesterday as the squadrons of mounted men passed through the streets, a good deal of road metal being launched against the horsemen, who, however, stood the fire well, and no serious casualties were reported.
EFFECTIVE DISPLAY OF FORCE. STRIKERS IMPRESSED. (From Oub Own Correspondent.) \ WELLINGTON; November 2. There ia no doubt that the display of force made by the police has had a Quietening effect on the strikers. The clashes between the two sides on Thursday impressed upon the strikers the fact that they would have no hope in anything like a pitched battle, and since then the army arranged against them has been increased by several hundred mounted men. To-day Wellington presents the appearance of an armed camp in a city in & state of siege. Posses of armed horsemen clatter about the streets everywhere, and artillery wagons loaded with tents, horsecovers, fodder, and other stores pass by incessantly, each escorted by a force of mounted polios. The streets lending to the Alexandra Rarracks. Mount Cook, in which the special constables are accommodated, are blocked by an armed guard of artillerymen, who deny passage to all except those who have official business in the barracks. MEETING IN NEWTOWN PARK. WELLINGTON, November 2. This afternoon it was raining steadily, but the strikers and their sympathisers, to tli© number of over 2000, marched from the Post Office square right out to Newtown® Park—a distance of over three mile* —whore a mass meeting was held. Addresses were given bv Messrs W. T. Mills, Holland the Rev. Mr Rrainbee, and others. The following resolution was declared carried unanimously:—“That this meeting of Wellington citizens protests against the unnecessary invasion of our city by armed men while the workers are still ready to return to work, and before all peaceful methods of settlement have been exhausted.” . - Towards the end of the meeting Mr Young, who hud just arrived from the conference at Parliament House, made the following announcement: “Since the proepssion loft the Post Olhcd square developments have taken place whiqh entirely change the positions, and I am in hopes that before many hours have passed wo shall have effected a settlement of the trouble.” \ POSITION IN AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND, November 2. No change of any importance took plaot in the position at the waterfront yesterday. Two or three small boats got away on their usual trips, carrying mails, passengers, and a little cargo loaded early in the morning before the strikers arrived on the scene to interfere. A few slings of cargo were also discharged in the same way. An attempt was made to land a supply of sugar from the Chelsea works, but- the strikers appeared at the Hobson street wharf in force and interfered. POSITION AT LYTTELTON. CHRISTCHURCH,. November 1. The only new development in connection with the strike is the appearance of an advertisement in the morning papers inviting persons willing to accept • work al the wharves to apply at the offices of ths Employers’ Association. A few men mads their appearance, but the invitation produced no considerable response. It is' stated that some country Kanda, mostly farmers’ sons, arc prepared to -come into town if /' required, hut nothing definite ia being, done pending the turn of events. :
DEPUTATION TO PRIME ' MINISTER. REQUEST FOR FURTHER CONFERENCE. (From Ooe Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, November 2. Aa a result of the conference which took place this afternoon between the Prime Minister and a deputation representing the Federation of Labour and other, organisations, the prospects of an early settlement o| the watorsiders’ dispute have brightened, although it is not certain that one will take place. . . , The object of the deputation was to ask for another conference, and its members suggested a basis of settlement which was recently rejected by the strikers. Sir Joseph Ward accompanied the deputation. The other members of Parliament who attended were Mr P. C. Webb and the Hon. J. T. Paul, the former of whom introduced the deputation, and in doing so asked the Prime Minister to arrange for another conference between representatives of the strikers and their employers if ho could possibly do so. The views of the deputation "’ere explained to the Prime Minister by Messrs Young, Semple, and Wilson. Two proposals were submitted, the principal of which was that the present dominion agreement should bo extended over a period to be arranged from this date, and to govern the waterside workers throughout the dominion, with a penalty (to be arranged) for any stoppage of work. The members of the deputation stated that this basis of settlement was offered to them by the ship-owners less than a week ago, and at that time "turned down by the waterside workers. Now they were willing ’to accept a settlement on these " Another proposal asked the Prime Minister to arrange for a conference between representatives of the watersidere or the Federation of Labour and the ship-owners. Mr Wilson, on behalf of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, stated that the railwayman saw a possibility or being involved in the strike without their •auction. They felt justified in being represented at the meeting that day, and they were then requested to accompany the deputation to the. Prime Minister to ask him to give consideration to the proposals submitted with a view of terminating what looked likely to be a serious struggle Sir Joseph Ward explained that though he had come with the deputation, he was not a mehiber of it. It seemed to him that, while Parliament was sitting, time ihould be given for a calm and full consideration by the two parties concerned with a view to eeemg what was the best course to pursue to enable the strike lo be terminated? He was sure that the . rime Minister would be just as much impressed as himself with the necessity of securing a settlement of the present trouble. Ho said, •peaking for his party in the House, that they wanted fo see trade and industries carried on and peace restored. . . Mr Paul suggested that in the interim the Prjme Minister should try to get an understanding with those responsible to arrive at a settlement without the employ- ' ment of free labour .. . , The Prime Minister said he recognised the eerioueness of the position perhaps rnore than any member of the deputation, and he reminded them that it was becoming increasingly difficult to arrive at a settlement •verv day that the trouble lasted. Not only the parties immediately interested were concerned, but the whole of the public, and te latter, as a matter of fact, was likely suffer more from what was taking place an the Federation of Labour, the watertide workers, or the shipowners. This had seemed to be one of the best seasons that New Zealand had ever experinced, and now It was impossible to calculate the loss that was being incurred directly and indirectly throughout the country. He could not say whether the shipowners and other employers would consent to another conference, but ho was willing to ask them to do •o. Anything that might be done could not be done hurriedly He would to-morrow morning, as he had done before, ask the •hipowners and employers to again meet representatives of the watersiders. He went on to say that, so far as he knew, there was no intention of resuming work on the wharves to-morrow, so that there was time for any deliberations that might be necessary. Mr Paul, on behalf of the deputation, thanked the Prime Minister for his courtesy in receiving it, and urged that the proposed conference should bo held as early •s possible. The position now is that there is every possibility of a conference between the ■trikers and their employers being held tomorrow. Any settlement arranged at the ‘conference would no doubt have to be referred to the respective parties for confirmation. WAHINE’S CREW CALLED OUT. WELLINGTON, November 2. There has been no concerted action on the part of the seamen so far, but the seamen on the Lytteltcn-Wellington ferry steamer Wahine have been called out by Mr W. T. Young (secretary of the Wellington Branch of the Seamen’s Union), and they have reluctantly complied with the demand. They gave 24 hours’ notice before leaving Lyttelton last night, and it is understood that they will leave the vessel hero to-morrow, morning. SPECIAL CONSTABLES. SPLENDID RESPONSE FROM THE COUNTRY. WELLINGTON, November 2. Yesterday and to-day large reinforcements have astived from the Manawatu and Waixarapa districts. A contingent of 110 from Carterton and Featherston detrained (it Lower Hutt, and were escorted into the city by about 300 regulars and specials, who had arrived late on the previous night after a strenuous march across the hills. As tho specials rode out of the city to meet their comrades they were subjected to stone-throwing m Ghuznee street and Wellington terrace. One young man, a son of Dr A. K. Newman. M.P. for Wellington East, wae hit on the head with a piece of brick, and sustained a very ugly wound. He kept his place, however, arlQ finished the long ride. Sio rearguard had to turn round four times end charge the crowd, but there were no Injuries inflicted on either side. The men met with a bad reception ail along the road. When th ' men returned with the new contingent the strikers had evidently concluded that opposition was useless, and the special constables passed through the city without molestation.
Late last night, and again this morning, further contingents have come in. Owing to the reticence of the police it is impossible to estimate the number of mounted men now available at a moment’s notice, but 700 seems to be well within tho mark. This force, with the 2000 special foot police enrolled in the city,, should be amply sufficient to enable work to go on smoothly on tn wharves. FIRM STAND BY FARMERS. INTERESTS MUST BE PROTECTED. (From Ocr Own Correspondents.) PALMERSTON N., November 2. At a meeting of the Palmerston Branch of the Union yesterday, the chairman (Mr Wingate) said the employers had been struck in the face, and it was high time they retaliated. Mr R. Gardner, in seconding a motion endorsing the action of the Defence Committee regarding free labour, said it was time the people rose against the tyranny ot unionism. Other members summed up the position as anarchy against law and order. Mr Mathieson, however, caused criticism by asserting that the Farmers’ Union did n °t represent 5 per cent, of the farmers ot the district, and anything they did was practically on behalf of the minority. He doubted whether anyone present at the meeting was prepared to go to Wellington as a free labourer.
The motion was carried, and it was resolved that the meeting form itself into a special committee to enrol special constables. An effort is to be made at the Palmerston Show substantially to increase the numbers.
The strike, as affecting Wellington particularly, provoked an animated discussion at a meeting of the Feilding A. and P. Association. A telegram was received from M r IX H. Guthne, M.P., stating that men with horses were urgently required at Wellington. The message from the member for the district was taken as an indication that the position was more serious than farmers realised.
Ihe president (Mr J. H. Perrett) said that, with the busy season approaching, in which the despatch of butter, wool, fat lambs, and sheep was imperative to the prosperity of the farming community, the position was really very serious. Farmers did not fully realise the position, and the only way to bring homo to them the effects of the strike was to wait until their pockets were affected.
It was resolved that the committee appeal to members of the association and those over whom they have influence to respond to the call for special constables. WANGANUI, November 1. There is great excitement in the Rangitikei district concerning the strike, and both old and young are entering into the spirit of the appeal made to farmers and labourers for support by Mr ,T. G. Wilson (president of the Farmers’ Union). Mr C. K-' Cooke, secretary- of the Marlon Branch, has been kept busy enrolling special constables and also labourers, and -about 50 special constables left, for Wellington this evening- to dp duty. Plenty of free labour is available, and the farmers are most enthusiastic in the effort being made to defend the position from the farmers’ standpoint.
PICTON MEN CALLED OUT. BLENHEIM, November 1. A telegram was received at Picton yesterday from Messrs Hickey and Young, calling out the local waterside workers. No further word has been received from the Federation of Labour. A meeting was hold this morning early to consider the position, but the outcome is not yet known. CONTINUANCE OF STRIKE AT WESTPORT. WESTPORT, November 2. Everything :s quiet at Westport. No boats, apart from tho Harbour Board flotilla, are in port. Tho local Strike Executive is holding numerous meetings to discuss the situation. A mass meeting was held at Denniston yesterday, and it was resolved to make common causb with Wellington and Huntly, and remain on strike until they had gained a victory. All the horses are to be taken out of the mine to-morrow. The Seddonville State mine is idle through there being no outlet for the coal. All the bine and available trucks are full GREYMOUTTT MEN LEAVE WORK. GREYMOUTH, November 2. The Grey waterside workers, at a meeting this afternoon, decided to stop work. The meeting was fairly well attended. This action has caused considerable surprise locally, as the union is registered under the Arbitration Act. MANIFESTO TO STRIKERS. ' CHRISTCHURCH. November 2. The North Canterbury Farmers’ Union has issued the following manifesto to tho waterside workers at Lyttelton : —“ While wo cannot but admire the spirit of loyalty which has prompted you to cease work in support of your confreres in other centres, we much regret that your action is causing, and is likely to cause, considerable loss to the farmers and the whole community, and while we have every sympathy with the legitimate aspirations of labour, we submit that the strike method is the worst possible means of securing that objective. At the present moment there is a large quantity of produce and merchandise awaiting shipment and landing, and to hold up this business will entail serious and irreparable loss. Particularly is this the case in regard to dairy produce, which, as you may know, is the product of the small farmer. This, if barred from shipment, will miss tho Home market at the. best part of the season —namely, the winter months. Moreover, the small farmers’ woo! clip will also be blocked, and thus miss the first sale of the series in London. Under these conditions we trust that wiser counsels will prevail, and that work will be resumed as heretofore, leaving any question at issue to be settled by the arbitaation or other conciliatory methods. Failing this, the farmers of North Canterbury may be compelled, however much they regret it; to take such action as may be deemed necessary to ensure that the work of loading and unloading produce shall proceed.” TIMARU MEN AT WORK. TIMARU, November 1^ Between 80 and 90 waterside workers
were at work to-day on the Wanaka, Waitemata, and Breeze. Before they sta-rted at 8 the men assembled for engagement were addressed by some of th© tew fed era t ion is ts left here, and were urged not to go to work, but they took no notice of the appeal. Une or two showed resentment at the interference. Th© general feeling is decidedly averse to a strike. A seaman on one boat last night was met by a shoreman, and was asked, “Can’t you do something to help our cause?” When asked how, he said:—“You could drop a match or two among the cargo.” (Or something to that effect.) Th© reply to this was some sound advice. STRIKE EXTENDS TO OAMARU. (From Our Own Correspondent.) OAMARU, November 1. The workers’ strike has extended to Oamaru. It was fully believed that the men hero would work the Union Company’s Waitomo, coal-laden from 'lewcasile, os the local union was not affiliated with the Federation of Labour. The men actually went down to work this morning, but were met by the local secretary with a telegram f*Din the secretary of the Federation of Labour rt Wellington calling upon' them to cease work. Though not actually affiliated with the federation, the local Waterside Workers’ Union seme two months ago passed a resolution in favour of affiliation, but effect was not g ven to the decision. The question arose as to whether the call from Wellington should be responded to, and a secret ballot was taken to settle the question. By 32 votes to 24 it was decided to obey orders from the federation executive, and the men did not start work. Subsequently a telegram was sent to the federation asking permission to unload the local cargo, but the reply was: “Stand firm; unload no cargo.” Th© local men, who are under an agreement with the Union Company for certain hours of work, state that they have no fault to find with the existing arrangements, and that they are willing to work. When asked why they refused to work some of them say plainly that they do not know, except that they struck in sympathy with the men elsewhere. Not a little dissatisfaction is being ex-f pressed by some of the men at being called upon to refuse to work without apparent cause, and there is some talk of seeking to rescind the resolution to affiliate with th© Federation of Labour.
WORK CONTINUED AT BLUFF. INVERCARGILL, November 2. The position in Invercargill and in Bluff in regard to the strike is unaltered. There was a big demand on Saturday for coal and sugar, but supplies of both commodities are fairly good. It is not known whether the Nightcaps miners intend to join the strike. The Bluff waterside workers, who work under an award, decided to continue work under their agreement, and the Taviuni, with 150 tons of coal from Greyrnouth, was discharged on Saturday. CONFIDENCE IN THE GOVERNMENT. PALMERSTON, November 1 A meeting of the Palmerston and Waikouaiti A. and P. Association this afternoon passed a resolution and sent a telegram to tho Prime Minister expressing confidence in tho Government taking a firm stand in connection with the present labour trouble. THE WOOL CLIP. GISBORNE, November 2. “It is quite certain now that there will be no New Zealand wool in London for the January sales,” announced the manager of a commercial firm. He added that in the event of the struggle continuing there was a possibility of some congestion in connection with the wool clip. Tho farmers had practically no accommodation in their wool sheds, aiid the fleeces were forwarded to town as the shearing proceeded. Under normal conditions the local stores would have been cleared out by the middle of the month with shipments for the January gales. The non-arrival of the Home steamers would consequently soon result in the filling up of the local wool stores, and doubtless some arrangements would have to bo made to store the clip. As to the freezing industry, he did not anticipate any difficulty, as the local works possessed large storage capacity. There is some dcubt about the Opawa coming here to load, as she will probably require bunker coal. SIR J. G. WARD’S REMARKS. AN EXPLANATION. AUCKLAND, November 1. The following telegram, largely signed bv Auckland business men, was sent to Sir J‘. G. Ward:— The undersigned moi-chante of Auckland deplore the attitude you have adopted, as x-cportod in the press, concerning tho waterside workers’ strike. Your remarks can only bo characterised as political, and not in the national interests. We look to your whole-hearted support of the Prime Minister which the grave situation and your assistance to prevent the innocent people of the dominion from suffering, as there is great distress here already. The following reply was received: I havo no knowledge of the nature of tho report upon which yon base your telegram. Tho tone of the latter rather surprisca me, as I am in entire sympathy with the maintenance of law and order. I stated that clearly in, tho House. At the urgent request of reputable citizens and other law-abiding spectators of the incident, and not members of any union nor supporters of the strike, I brought under the notice of tho Prime Minister the allegations*, of recklessness made to me regarding the action of the mounted special constables in wheeling round and galloping through some .thousands of private citizens, in order that he might have such allegations inqired into. This the Prime Minister agreed to. One satisfactory result is that the mounted constables have been withdrawn, and to-day Wellington is absolutely quiet. When you . read the full report of my re marks the erroneous opinion you apparently entertain will be made manifest. If politics have been introduced, it, has not been by me. J. G. Ward. POSITION AT WANGANUI. WANGANUI, November 1. Work proceeded as usual at the W"an-
ganui wharves this morning. In the large wharf-shed things were exceptionally busy, and a very large staff of men was emploved attending to the large quantity of general cargo which the Petone discharged yesterday. All along the wharf front of the shed are huge piles of flour, potatoes, etc.> which are awaiting transhipment to the outlying country districts. The Kaitoa arrived this morning from Greymouth with coal, but when she got alongside the wharf it was found that there was not a sufficiency of watersiders to work the ship fully, so the ship worked with only one gang. The secretary of the local Watersiders’ Union, when asked as to the cause of the shortage of labour with only one vessel discharging, stated that the number of men who offered for service on the wharf this morning was less than was generally the case, and that the majority of these had been absorbed in work in the shed and on the trucks loading goods. The Kaitoa’s coal, as is also that of the Alexander, which is duo here to-morrow, is consigned to the railway department.^ A rumour gained currency in town this morning that the racehorses which were refused shipment to Lyttelton at Wellington early in the week were being brought up here to be sent down by the Petone, which sailed for the south this afternoon, but Mr C. F. Millward (local agent for the company) stated that only cattle are being taken down this trip, the owners of the boat considering that their regular customers shipping stock south should have the first call on their space.
DISORDERLY STRIKER WELLINGTON, November 2. The first striker to apocar in court was "Walter Jackson, who was charged to-day with disorderly conduct and obscenity in a main street. Jackson was fined £2 and £5 respectively. The alternatives were seven and 14 days in gaol.
VIOLENCE AT TOKOMARU. PALMERSTON N., November 2. A large number of flaxmill hands at Tokomaru, members of the federation, attacked a train which left Palmerston at 10 o’clock last night, containing about 100 specials -and workers. They broke the windows of the carriages with bottles and stones, and put a platform barrow and milk cans across the line. The engine ran into them and threw them aside, no damage being done. As tho train approached Tokomaru a fire was seen burning fiercely, anH it was concluded by the driver that the threat to burn tho Tokomaru bridge had been carried out. The train was pulled up, but it was found that the fire was at Liggins’s flaxmill, which is near the lino. The mill was totally destroyed. The owner does not attribute tho dee<i to any of his men. The loss will be considerable.
A Dannevirke train to Wellington to-day with more men was diverted via the Wnirnrapa line, and a large body of federationiste at Shannon were disappointed. It has been found that, in addition to breaking the windows of the train last night, the federationists cut _ one of the signal wires and interfered with the points, but no damage resulted.
HOW DUNEDIN IS AFFECTED. UNEMPLOYMENT SPREADING. The strike has been almost the sole topic of conversation locally during the past two days, and there seems no inclination on the part of any section of the community to minimise the painful gravity of tho situation. Fortunately, matters have continued quiet here, and there is no suggestion of lawlessness or violence in any quarter. The effects which are being felt and feared here take rise from causes outside this community altoegther. FRUIT CARGO HELD UP. Tho Ulimaroa brought a small quantity of- fruit from Sydney for this port, ana realising that tho waterside workers would not handle it, one of the importers (Mr Thomas Paterson) sent a couple of his employees down to Port Chalmers to get tho fruit ashore for railage to Dunedin, but as they wore bringing the first two cases ashore about a dozen lumpers congregated at the gangway. As soon as the first case of fruit was placed on the wharf, one of the strikers picked it Up and took it back on board the ctcamer. As he was doing so he passed the other man who was bringing a case ashore, and it is reported that owing to the intimidation he received the latter deemed it prudent to return on 1 board with his case of fruit, tho result being that none of it was allowed to land. DREDGE 4C4. Tho workmen engaged on the Harbour Board’s dredge 404 at Port Chalmers, preparing her for her voyage to .Melbourne, oeaseu work on Saturday morning. Members of the Harbour Board’s permanent staff were immediately instructed to take up tho work They were met and interviewed by pickets, but they stood firm and the work was continued without further difficulty of interruption. REDUCTION OF STAFF. The longer the sea transport of the dominion is held up tho more grave, of course, becomes tho effects on local industry, and every day brings word of more firms that have either reduced their staffs or are contemplating doing so. The big carrying firms are, of course, losing a great part of their business, and the Now Zealand Express Company has served 60 or 70 of its employees with a week’s notice, and as already recorded Mosel's Crust and Crust have taken a similar step. PRICES RISING. Prices caiyiot bo expected to remain stationary at such a crisis, and the most notable advances locally so far havo been those in sugar and coal. It would seem that tradespeople have not been stopping the credit of customers to any great extent as yet, but at least one case is reported of a small grocer, who has considered it necessary to cut off 52 of his customers with n view to safeguarding his interests. Undoubtedly the rapid spread of unemployment will compel tradesmen to be unusually cautious, particularly in their dealings with tho sections of work people most directly affected. The coal merchants of Dunedin have found it necessary to raise the price of coal 5s per ton owing to the shortage of supplies caused by the strike and the increased demand.
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Otago Witness, Issue 3112, 5 November 1913, Page 31
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15,097SERIOUS DEVELOPMENTS. Otago Witness, Issue 3112, 5 November 1913, Page 31
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