WATERSIDE WORKERS’ STRIKE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3117, 10 December 1913, Page 31

WATERSIDE WORKERS’ STRIKE.

GOOD WORK BY NEW UNION. RECORD FROM DAY TO DAY. DUNEDIN. At Dunedin on the 2nd inst. excellent work 7738 done at the wharves, the number of arbitration workers showing an increase over the previous day. The crew of the steamer Victoria were given leave of absence. The red deer for the Otago Acclimatisation Society from Mr Lucas, » arnham Court Farm, Sussex, were landed. The members of the Strike Committee voluntarily resigned as an act of good faith tq the bondsmen who had come forward with the necessary recognisances asked for by the magistrate in the case bn the Ist, as a guarantee that they would keep tho peace for six months. A new Strike Committee has been appointed. Some 60 mounted specials returned to their homes, their services being no longer required. Arthur Tuffin, for whom Mr B. >S. Irwin appeared, was fined £3. with costs (12s). for using obscene language on the Kitchener Street wharf, in default three weeks’ imprisonment ; and on a second charge of threatening behaviour to an arbitration watersider worker, was ordered to enter into recognisances of £SO, and find sureties for £SO, to keep tho peace for six months. WELLINGTON. At Wellington rain interfered somewhat with work on tho 6th inst. The new Arbitration Union has a membership of over 1700, and it is said that nearly 200 were members of the old union. The Bricklayers* Union decided not to remove the embargo cn material which has been handled by tho new union. The Charitable Aid Board is feeling tiic effects ol tho strike, tho bread distributed being double the quantity usually given in relief. Albert Anderson' a wharf labourer on strike, was committed for trial on a charge of taking part in a riot in Manners street on November 18. sentenced to one month s imprisonment for assaulting Kitching, a shipping clerk, and’bound over in two sureties for £25 each to keep tho peace for six months, and lined £5, with tho alternative of 21' days’ imprisonment for assault.ng a special constable. Fourtcn firemen on the steamer Opawa were committed for trial on a charge of combining to disobey tho lawful commands of the master, and neglecting duty. Bail was allowed, eacli in £SO, except in one case, where the amount was fixed at £IOO. AUCKLAND. Tho position, in Auckland was practically unchanged. A large number of applications from members of the Wate;side Workers’ Union to work on tho wharves has been received. The railway servants negatived a motion that a levy be struck for the strike fund. LYTTELTON. Matters in Lyttelton on the 2nd inst. were uneventful. No fewer than five steamers sailed. The foot specials at the Addington camp are being discharged, but a force of 250 mounted men has been retained. GENERAL. Tho port of Foxton was opened on the Ist inst. Mr Vcitch, M.P., in the course of an interview, said at present the leaders of both sides were fighting for tho control of the country for their own special purposes, with apparently ‘very littlo consideration for tho welfare of the rank and file. EMPLOYERS EXPLAIN THEIR ATTITUDE. MESSAGES TO SYDNEY. WELLINGTON, December 2. The Employers’ Federation despatched tho following cable messages to-night; “ To Mr Holman. Premier of New South Wales: “ The Wellington Employers’ Federation and the Citizens’ Defence Committee desire to give an emphatic denial to the statement of the .Federation of Labour representatives that the employers of the dominion are opposed to organised labour, and wish to assure that, on tho contrary, they are encouraging and supporting the registration of workers’ unions under the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act, and desire to impress upon your Government that as all cargo is being handled by arbitration unionists there is absolutely no reason why Australian unionists should refuse to work New Zealand ships at Sydney or elsewhere, or to precipitate the crisis indicated in to-day’s cables as being imminent. That being the case, it is hoped you will use a ’evcry endeavour to have the embargo on New Zealand vessels removed without delay. The committee will gladly supply you with a/iy information on a request being made from the chairman.” “To Mr Hughes. M.P., Sydney: “The Employers’ Defence Committee desires emphatically to'contradict the Federation of Labour representatives’ statement that the Now Zealand employers are opposed to organised labour. The fact that all cargo is being handled by arbitration unionists should result in New Zealand vessels being worked by Australian unionists, and should convince the Labour leaders that no reason exists for the industrial crisis which cables indicate as imminent in Australia. —Foster, chairman.” ALLEGED DEFAMATORY LIBEL. APPLICATION DISMISSED. CHRISTCHURCH, December 2. An unusually large crowd gathered at the Magistrate’s Court to-day, when E. J Howard, F. C. Ellis, J. M'Combs, 11. Hunter, J. Thorn, D. G. Sullivan, and F. Lurch, alleged to bo members of the Strike Committee, were summoned to appear before Mr 11. W. Bislmp. S.M., to show cause why they should not be prosecuted under section 11 of “The Law of Libel Act. 1910.” for the publication of a defamatory libel in u. publication called the Christchurch Strike Bulletin, dated November 26, under tho heading “Scabs, Male and Female.” The applications were heard separately in camera in the magistrate’s room, the press not being admitted. The Magistrate said ho did not mind

newspaper representatives being present, but the inquiry was only a preliminary one to see whether there could be a prosecution, otherwise if a prosecution were ordered it would mean two public hearings instead of one. The defendants Howard, Hunter, and Sullivan denied all knowledge of tho offending paragraph. Under tho circumstances, Mr Bishop had no alternative but to order that no warrants be issued, and the informations against tho remaining defendants wore withdrawn. It is probable, however, that action will be taken against the printers. Mr Bishop, in examining tho defendants, described the paragraph as absolutely vile and abominable, and he hoped that tho respectable portion of labour, both arbitfationist and fedorationist, would lake a public opportunity of disavowing any responsibility for it. Tho defendants said this would be done. They expressed their disapproval of the paragraph, which they said they did not authorise and did not see until it was published. They did not now form thg “ Strike Committee.” The original Strike Committee had been dissolved on November 24 —two days before the publication of the paragraph. It was also denied that the Strike Bulletin was circulated after the paragraph in question was discovered, tho sheet being withdrawn. After tho dismissal of the informations against Sullivan, Hunter, and Howard, Mr Stringer, K. 0., withdrew the informations on being assured by counsel that the rest of the defendants would testify on the same lines. Tho result of the inquiry was received with cheers by a crowd of sympathisers, who were waiting outside. POLICY OF BOYCOTT. SYDNEY, December 2. The Iron Trades Federation lias decided to decline to touch boats running to and from New Zealand. This applies to all the affiliated unions, such as the blacksmiths, ironworkers, and engineers. At a mass meeting of wharf labourers, Mr Hughes presiding, it was decided by a majority of 10 to 1 to continue to boycott cargo to- and from New Zealand. Tho New Zealand Labour delegates approved of this resolution. DUNEDIN AND PORT CHALMERS. 'lho now Arbitration Union of Waterside Workers, to tho number of 160, were busy on tho 3rd loading and unloading the Waitomo, Mimiro, Turakina, and Dorset. The Victoria, completed her loading, and sailed for the north. The outlook at Port Chalmers is somewhat gloomy, the strikers not having done a stroke of work for fully a month. Thousands of pounds that now should he circulating in Port Chalmers and Dunedin have been diverted to Timaru and Bluff. A.t a meeting of the Dunedin Seamen’s Union a proposal to take a secret ballot received tne support of only 17 members out of some 171 members present. , MASS MEETING. At a mass mooting held at Dr Stuart’s monument on the 3rd inst Mr W. K. J. Maguire moved, and Mr M. M'Hutchcon seconded —“That this meeting of Dunedin citizens, representative of all classes, is in no sense surprised, or wonders at, impatient and earnest labour agitators groaning under the impediments at all times opposed to the most salutary improvements of the working conditions, standard of life, and general morale of the masses, by tho perverse, innate obstinacy of powerful combinations of private interests, aimed with unfair weapons such as have been supplied to them by the present Government during this strike. Such intemperate displays of force are an evil, sure to be met by the evil of intemperate language, and under such circumstances we claim that often those speeches, when taken altogether do not reasonably boar the - wicked interpretation put uivon them. Therefore, we cannot set aside the fact that Messrs Semple, Young, and Holland arc entitled to release on bail. Wo sincerely trust that the Government will give serious attention to this matter, for it would be a most regrettable thing if in democratic New Zealand it could ever bo inferred that the elements which contribute lo the sacred administration of justice would over brar tho slightest taint of ferocity, vindictiveness, or partiality.” A further resolution was moved by Mr Maguire, and seconded by Mr Boreham—- “ That we view with alarm the formation of a farmers’ constabulary corps ns a military l>ody. which cannot be classed other than a political soldiery, calculated to imperil and undermine our national system of defence —namely, a citizen army, comprising every section of the community, irrespective of class Such portentous auxiliaries to cur established authorities arc unnecessary, and the Government which encourages them in a democratic country is living in a fool’s paradise, and its fate can bo as clearly traced at tho next election with as much significance as tho fatal writing on the wall ‘Thy kingdom shall be taken from the-:-.’ ” Both resolutions were carried by acclamation. WELLINGTON. With fine weather on the 3rd good work was accomplished on tho wharves. A new stokehold crew signed on on the Opawa, and the vessel left for London, 'flic Muritai arrived during the day. Special patrols have been engaged to protect tho homes of the men who have gone back to work. The Prime Minister, replying to Mr Anderson in tho House of Representatives, stated that, in view of the legislation before the House, it was not intended to set up a commission to investigate tho industrial problems. It is notified that there is no likelihood of tho shearers going out on strike. MESSAGE FROM MR HUGHES. A RBITR ATI ON URGE D. WELLINGTON, December 3. The chairman (Mr W. G. Foster) of tho Employers’, Farmers', and Citizens’, Defence Committee last night received (he following cablegram from Mr W. M. Hughes (president of the Australian Labour Conference), which is now in session in Sydney “ Your cablegram setting forth the case for the Wellington Employers, Farmers, and Citizens’ Defence Committee was received and brought before a conference representing the industrial organisations affected and likely to be affected by the New Zealand Labour troubles. So far as the cablegram deals with the history and development of the dispute it is not necessary to comment thereon beyond the remark that your statement is in conflict

with that furnished to the conference by the Labour Federation. No useful purpose would bo served by attempting to deal with the matter from this standpoint Without, therefore, calling in question any of your statements, or those of tho Labour Federation as to the origin and history of the dispute, the conference, representing over 200,000 unionists, called together for the express purpose of dealing with tho unfortunate industrial tro ible, faced tho situation ns it exists to-day. It is not to be denied that tho situation is most serious. The original oauscs of the dispute are not material. The fact that a dispute, already sufficiently disastrous and threatening to become much more so, exists is beyond question. It has affected New Zealand for some weeks, and still affects it. Its influence has extended to tho Commonwalth of Australia and is threatening to assume alarming dimensions. Wo can hardly believe that any considerable section desires a continuance of the present conditions. We are quite sure that tho overwhelming bidk of the community considers it is high time that industrial peace was restored. With those, if any there bo, who desire a continuance of industrial turmoil, on whichever side they bo, we have absolutely no sympathy. Wo believe in unionism ami all that unionism stands for. Wo desire industrial peace. We believe in the settlement of industrial disputes by arbitration. If there is a dispute it ought to be at once peacefully settled. To your contention that there is no dispute, that there is nothing left to submit, to Sir Joshua Williams, or any other arbitrator, that tho Federation of Labour cannot be recognised and is to bo destroyed wo cannot for one moment assent. That there is an industrial dispute, that it affects a still larger number of workers in New Zealand, and will shortly affect a still larger number in tho Common wealth unless it is at, once settled is obvious to any unprejudiced person. As for the Federation of Labour, it contains thousands of the best workmen in New Zealand, and wo cannot consent to their destruction. Upon whose shoulders tho blame for the present unfortunate condition of this trouble is to bo placed—whether it is unwise and rash counsel on one side or too high-handed action and provocation on the other—wo do not presume to say. We tiro faced with the situation—it is one of our own creating, whoever is responsible clearly wo are not. Wc desire to end the present trouble with tho least possible delay', but to ignore it is not to end it. Peace is not to be obtained by saying that there is nothing to arbitrate about or fulminations against the Federation of Labour. There is a dispute, and there is something to arbitrate about, and until tins point is settled to talk of industrial peace is to live in a fcol's paradse. In tho best interests of all parties yo consider that the present state of affairs in Now Zealand cannot and ought not to bo allowed to continue. Wo therefore recommend that the whole matter he referred to Sir Joshua \\ illiams or any other arbitrator acceptable to both parties, his decision to bo final on all points, including tho employment of labour, and tho conference, on behalf ,of tho unionists of Australia, pledges itself to loyally abide by tho results of such arbitration, and as from the date of tho appointment of the arbitrator to resume normal working conditions in the New Zealand transport trade, and it recommends and expects the New Zealand Federation of Labour, to whom this proposal is communicated, will similarly pledge itself. In any case wc do so. This, then, is the proposition which wo venture to suggest to both parties to this dispute. We hope it will commend itself to them and to tho people of New Zealand. We do not in any way comment on the events that have led up to tho present position or attomnt to decide who is to blame. We fully recognise that-very strong feeling exists, but wo make an appeal to reason. However the dispute arose, and whoever is to blame for it, it is here. Its effects are disastrous, and not a day ought to be lost in settling it. Our proposal is reasonable anil practicable, and covers every phase of the matter, and takes effect immediately. Wo appeal to both sides to accept it without delay. Tho conference requests that you should have fins communication published in tho New Zealand papers for general information.— W. H. Huohes.” ANOTHER STATEMENT BY THE EMPLOYERS. NEGOTIATIONS IMPOSSIBLE. WELLINGTON, December 3. A further statement issued by tho Employers, Farmers, and Citizens’ Defence Committee relating to tho present industrial trouble says in part: “ Tho committee has collectively and individually pledged itself to the elimination of tho ‘ Red ’ Federation of Labour, its officers, and representatives from any future negotiations with unions of workers, and has done so for the following among other reasons: The committee emphatically states that there is now no point which led up to tho existing strike upon which to treat. Further moans have been provided by law for tho formation of unions under the Industrial. Conciliation, and Arbitration Act. Such unions have been duly formed and registered, and members of tho same are now employed, effectively doing the work of the ports in which waterside workers, drivers, and other workers were engaged before tho strike on the same terms as regards rates of pay and (ho hours of labour. The said unions are open to the men who had struck to join, and they can obtain employment through them. The Defence Committee. being legally and morally pledged to such unions, can only meet the workers through them. In fheso circumstances the committee cannot recn<rniso tho federation as having any right of intervention. The experience of the employers of the actions of unions that have cancelled registration, and that have been allied with and dominated by flic federation, has been more than sufficient to justify them in eliminating that body from any negotiations in future between them and tho workers. Tho employers’ relations with unregistered unions, and especially with such unions as have been affiliated with tho federation, have been conspicuous for tho frequency with which tlm workers have broken their agreements and also for friction arising out of the interpretation by the workers' representatives of agreements when such have been nominally observed. In the case of the Wellington Wat orside Workers’ Union, the employers did not insist on registration under the Arbitration Act until every proposal made by them was rejected by- the union, through the federation’s representatives. These proposals included the furnishing of a guarantce against strikes, with rccfrence first to

a committee of representatives of employers and employees, and the taking of a secret ballot under the supervision of a Government official. The proposal of the Prime Minister to refer the dispute to the arbitrament of Sir Joshua Williams was also definitely rejected by the Waterside Workers’ Union, through the federation, although it has now changed its mind and wishes for such arbitrament. Even while negotiations for a settlement of the strike were in progress and the representatives of the employers and the federation were conferring, the federation would not give an assurance that an agreement would be kept: and it made no sign of discouragement to the public speeches of its members urging disorder, sabotage, and violence, and tho complete paralysis of tho industrial life of the dominion. Tho preambles of the constitution of the I.W.W. and the federation are almost the same. Both open with tho postulate : ‘ The working class and the employing class have nothing in common.’ Thq I.W.W. insists Jhat ‘No terms made with an employer are final.’ The Wellington Waterside Workers Union, on the showing of their president (Mr F. Curtis), broke their agreement from A to Z, and if was in consequence of tho frequent and flagrant breaking of their agreement that tho employe! s resolved that they were no longer parties to it. Further, a few da vs after "its signature—on January 17, 1912,—Mr Hickey (secretary of tho federation) publicly gave expression to tho following views on the observance of agreements :—‘ Every agreement entered into is not binding upon = vou for a single instant. No, not if it was signed by a thousand officials and ratified by a dozen courts. The agreement is not sacred, and only a fool would regard it as such. Tho moment an opportunity occurs to better your condition break your agreement; break it wherever it will pay you to do so. If necessary, let us toss every agreement to hell.’ Tho actions of the old Waterside. Workers’ Union in the past have been in keeping with Mr Hickey’s counsel and m conformity with tho tenets of the 1.W.W.. The I.WAV. teaches its followers to look forward to the day when they will seize, by force if necessary, ships, railways, tramways, factories, workshops, stores', farms and other property of tho employers as such, and confiscate all private property. It is less of an industrial than a revolutionary organisation. In tho United States it has proved itself to be a wilfully dangerous organisation and a menace to society at lt rg °b a i !K * , a 3 such ifc is regarded by both tho .c ciieral and State Governments. Of tho L WAV. operations in tho Pacific Colonel Wcinstock, acting under instructions of tho Go\eminent of California, recently made a thorough investigation, and reported: ‘The evidence forces me to the conclusion that it is the organised and deliberate purpose of the I.W.W. to teach and preach and force into tho hearts and minds of its followers that they are justified in trampling underfoot their Own agrccmchta, in confiscating the property of others, in disobeying the mandates of the courts, and in paralysing the industries of tho nation. If the men and women of the nation accept and follow these touchings it would make society impossible, and would simply mean a nation of thiet os, liars, and scoundrels.’ The experience of the employers during the pact 10 years with unions affiliated with the United Federation of Labour has fully justified thorn in regarding that body as’identical with the I.WAV., with which it has professedly so much in common. With an organisation of a frankly hostile character the employers cannot treat, even if there were now any dispute or disputes to digcues, tor the reasons above and for other and equally sufficient reasons.” THREATENING BEHAVIOUR. W ELLINGTON, December 3. Thomas Acland, an ex-army mail, was fined £3, or two months’ imprisonment, for threatening behaviour during the riot in lost Office square Ho was also ordered to find sureties—a personal liond of £SO and another of £lo—to keep the peace for six months. TW T 0 MEN SECURE BAIL WELLINGTON, December 3 Peter Fraser, secretary of the Social Democratic Party, who was ordered to find sureties to keep the peace for 12 months, was released to-day, the necessary bonds being approved. George Bailey, who had to find similar sureties (totalling £600), was released yesterday. AUCKLAND. The most important event on the 3rd was the arrival of tho Maheno from Sydney. The inexperienced stokers on tho Maheno did exceedingly well on tho voyage across, and tho large number of passengers on board wore exceedingly grateful at being able to roach their homes; .Five farmers from Tauranga, with high recommendations, who applied to become members of tho Arbitration Waterside Workers’ Union, were rejected. LYTTELTON AND CHRISTCHURCH. The now Arbitration Union of Workers at Lyttelton carried on operations on the Marere, Himitangi. Cygnet, Aratapu, and Eliza Firth. ’Clio Morning Light got away with a full cargo. At Christchurch enough drivers have born secured to prevent serious inconvenience. There is a good supply of coal on hand, but sugar is still rather scarce. Tho Lyttelton Harbour Board carried a motion expressing appreciation of tho public-spirited men who opened the port to trade and commerce, and thanked tho men who are working the vessels. It was dccithd to convey a resolution to Colonel Chaffcy. The chairman of the board said a force of special constables was necessary, as no work at Lyttelton could have been done without them. INSULTING BEHAVIOUR. CHRISTCHURCH, December 3. In tho Police Court to-day Henry Davis (69 years of age) and Leonard Rowan (a youth) were changed with insulting behaviour to special constables last week. Two specials stated that Davis and Riiwan shouted tin opprobious word and laughed offensively. Davis denied this. Mr Alpers, }ii« counsel, protested that Davis was arrested on warrant, instead of by summons, and was taken to the station and put in with criminals. The justices fined him £2, in default a week. Rowan denied the charge against him. Ho produced five witnesses, who stated that ho had not called after tho specials. He was fined £5. CHARGE OF OBSTRUCTION. CHRISTCHURCH, December 3. W. T. Mills was charged to-day with

holding a public meeting at Sumner eo aw to obstruct traffic. Evidence was given that Mills addressed a crowd on the from a motor 1 oar, aim that there was some disorder. A constable asked the driver to move on, and *l® u*d 60 Promptly. The defendant said there was no obstruction, and that directly he learned that the car was trespassing on the footpath ho moved on The case was dismissed. AT OTHER CENTRES. r i Th j ®? wrnL L lin S industry on the North Island Mam Irunk line is in a rather d©» pressed condition owing to the strike. A number of miners at the Dominion Consolidated Mine. Wakamarina, Marl-> borough, are on strike, because the manager declined to discharge some of the men who refused to pay a levy for the. strikers. Only six or seven miners out of a total of 60 ars at work. vh meeting of the Greyraouth Waterside Workers’ Union a secret ballot was taken, when it was decided by 105 votes to 45 votes to remain on strike. 1 r/'o district alone it is estimated that £28,850 has been lost in wages through the strike. About 25 arbitration unionists are at work at (Jarnaru. SYDNEY WHARF LABOURERS. MR HUGHES HECKLED. SYDNEY, December 3. Iwo thousand wharf labourers were pra sent at yesterday’s "stop-work” meeting, all the wharves being idle ‘ 1 locoedings at the meeting were at times turbulent and discordant. A large section resented confining the war to Now Zealand desiring a general strike, and threatening further trouble at the ordinary meeting of the Sydney Wharf Labourers’ Union, to ba held to-night. Mr Hughes was besieged and importune*! by angry unionists after the meeting. They condemned the decision as contrary to tho principles of unionism.. The hecklers of Mr Hughes • demanded whether, if there were two Union Company boats alongside, one going to New Zealand and the other to Tasmania, they had to work the latter, which meant working with, “scabs.” They wanted to know if they were not fighting the Union Company. Mr Hughes replied that they must work everything excepting vessels to and from New Zealand. They were not dealing with companies, but with places. The meeting had decided not to work New Zealand boats, and that was all. Amid hoots, the turbulent section declared that that was not unionism, one crying that if they had to work with “ soabe ” there would not bo enough bandages in Sydney to tie them up. The Herald, commenting on this attitude of the turbulents, says that, although tho unionists have decided to restrict the area of the disturbance, the future is by no mean® clear. SHIPPING MOVEMENTS. SYDNEY, December 3. The Waipori and Kakapo, the latter having been trimmed by Union Company’s clerks, have finished loading coal at Newcastle. The Waipori has departed for Wellington, and the Kakapo for Tasmania., It is stated that if the strike area widens and the State’s primary products are held up. largo numbers of farmers are ready - t mount their horses and ride straight to th* metropolis to load their own produce ni.e the ships. BOYCOTT EXTENDED. FUNDS FOR THE STRIKERS. SYDNEY, December 3. The wharf labourers to-day extended tho boycott to all the Union Company’s vessels, and no labour is, available for the Paloona. and Wukatipu, which are not engaged in the Now Zealand trade. This is contrary to tho decision reached yesterday. Tho discharging of tho Sydney cargo aboard the Whakatauo and Indrapura proceeded to-day. Tho Federated Seamen’s Union held a meeting to-day, Senator Guthrie presiding. It passed a resolution to the same effect as that passed by the wharf labourers, and to work no New Zealand boats. Tho Australian Workers’ Union has voted £SOO and tho Bricklayers £SO to assist tho New Zealand strikers. POSITION SERIOUS IN MELBOURNE. ACCUMULATION OF NEW ZEALAND CARGO. MELBOURNE, December 3. Tho wharf labourers’ boycott of New Zealand goods lias become serious. Tho Huddart, Parker Co. has abandoned its usual Christmas pudding trip, and 5000 tons of pudding fruits are untouched on tho wharves. No boat has loft for New Zealand sinco November 5. Consignments for New Zealand arc stacked on tho wharves. TROUBLE AT NEWCASTLE. SYDNEY, December 3. The crane employees at Newcastle to-night confirmed its decision not to load the Union Co.’s steamers. The Melbourne Co.’s steamer Brisbane has been boycotted by tho trimmers because it is suspected that her destination is New Zealand, though it is stated that the vessel is loading for Melbourne. Tho crane employees, however, are still filling her. Tho Wakatipu, which has loaded for Launceston, had her coal trimmed by the clerical staff! DUNEDIN. The Kaiapoi arrived on the 4th from Wellington with 1500 tons of cargo, mostly transhipments from arriving Home steamers, including Californian raisins, canned and» dried fruits. Tho 180 members of tho Arbitration Waterside Workers’ Union were distributed loading and unloading the Kaiapoi, Wuitoino, Turakina, Dorset, and Mimiro. The Dorset is loading 20,000 crates of frozen rabbits. Relief pay is now being distributed to the Dunedin branch of tho - Seamen’s Union. It is denied that any ultimatum was eont to the Seamen’s Union by the Union Company. LYTTELTON. The Rirnutaka nailed on tho 4th for Bluff and Wellington to complete loading, tyal the Marcro left tho wharf to proceed to Dunedin. Apart from the work which is being done on tho big liners, the coastal cargo steamers are now moving freely. Altotion. Übinn were at work. In consequent*

& the strike, the Lyttelton regatta has >een postponed. WELLINGTON. Thirteen hundred members of the new iVaterside -Workers' Union were fully enjaged on the 4th in handling inward and mtward cargo. The new Drivers' Union las a membership of 290. SPECIAL CONSTABLE INJURED. WELLINGTON, December 4. Robert Campbell,, a special constable, srok© his leg through Lis horse slipping >n the wooden blocks in the street. W T. YOUNG CONVICTED. THREE MONTHS' IMPRISONMENT. LEAVE TO APPEAL GRANTED. WELLINGTON, December 4 % Judgment in the case against W. T. EoungNpresident of the United Federation Df Labour and secretary of the Wellington branch of the Seamen's Union, who was charged with wilfully inciting divers unknown persons'to resist the constables stationed in Wellington in the execution of their duty, was given by Ml- W. G. Riddcll, S.M., th~s morning. The defendant, who was refused bail at the preliminary hearing, has been in gaol for exactly four weeks. A further charge against him was that of inciting persons to commit a breach of the peace, and at the hearing an application was made to bind the defendant over to keep the peace. The two charges were therefore taken together. A third charge of using seditious language, an indictable offence, was held over, and was proceedec! with later. Mr H. H. Ostler appeared lor the Cro.vn, and Mr T. M. Wiiford and Mr P. J. O'Regan for tho defendant. " The defendant is charged that, on October 26, at Wellington, he wilfully incited divers unknown persons to resist the constables stationed in Wellington in the execution of their duty.'' said Mr Riddel!. "It has been proved that the defendant used tho words contained in the information in the course of a speech delivered by him to a large crowd of -waterside workers and other persons at the Basin Reserve on the above date. To jrather the full meaning of the words mentioned in the information and used bv the defendant it is necessary to bear in mind the state of affairs existing prior to the meeting, and to read tho defendant's remarks immediately preceding the particular words in the charge. These are : ' I want to say that special constables are being called for. A number of them were marched to the Newtown depot last night. I want to say that if the police of this country is going to be utilised • —I know the individual police don't want to Ibe used for the purpose,—but if the authorities of this- country are going to use them to suppress tho working class, I will undertake—we will undertake—to mass in this City of Wellington 10,000 or 15.000 armed men, ready, to protect, themselves as armed }nen. If a police constable tides his baton -io you give him one back, and if one won't do make it a double-header.' The immediately succeeding words used by the defendant must also be considered as determining the meaning of the particular words in the charge. These are: 'lf we have fight the police force and the military, it has got- to be done in style and effectually. It is a very easy matter indeed. If I have got to incite the multitude I will incite them, and in a proper manner.' Evidence has been given of later events in which the strikers were concerned, and it is common knowledge that a state of insecurity existed in the city for some days after October 26. For the defence, it is contended that an incitement under section 68 must, be an incitement of a person or persons to resist a particular constable actually performing an act in the execution of hisuiily at the time of the incitement. and that, as defendant's words were addressed generally to a crowd of persons who were not interfering with any-member of the police, in the execution of his duty, the uso of them does not constitute ;m offence within the words of the section. . . . . I think that, considering the condition of the law and order which then existed, the particular words addressed by the defendant to a mixed crowd on October B 6 constituted an offence within the meaning of section 68. Defendant will be convicted." In considering the question of the sentence to be inflicted, the Magistrate referred to the sentences passed by the Chief Justice on two offenders who had not taken a particularly prominent part in the disturbances. Tho defendant Young on the other hand, was one of the leaders. The sentence would be one of imprisonment for three months. He would also be required to eider into a bond of £250 and two sureties of £250 each to keep the peace for 12 months. Mr Wiiford then pave formal notice of appeal, on the ground that the magistrate's decision was erroneous in point of law. He also asked that bail be fixed. The Magistrate said he had anticipated that, no matter which way his decision went, it would be necessary to have a ruling; on the point. Bail would be allowed in the accused's own recognisance of £lsoand two sureties of £75 each. The security for the costs of the appeal would be fixed at £lO 10s. Mr Wiiford asked if defendant would be required to find the sureties stipulated to keep the peace. The Magistrate stated that the sureties were part of the penalty. Hnd the only security required (apart from bail) would be the security for the costs of appeal. The question of bail was mentioned again in the afternoon by Mr Wiiford, who said ihcre- had been a misunderstanding between liimself and the Crown solicitor, and ho wished to have a ruling. He asked if the sureties for good behaviour were imposed on top of the bail for the sedition oliarge and the bail for appeal: also what it was "necessary to find before Young could be got out of gao!. * The magistrate said he was satisfied that the defendant would proceed with his appeal, and to get over the difficulty ho proposed to reduce the bail on tho charge of sedition to one surety of £IOO and two of £SO each, to leave the recognisances of the peace at one amount of £250 and two sureties of a similar amount, and also to . leave unaltered the £lO 10s security of appeal. Young was remanded till to-morrow on the indictable charge of using seditious language. ON SPECIAL CONSTABLES. WELLINGTON, December 4. .. At tho Magistrate's Court to-day Charles Johnson, who was charged with assaulting a special constable, was fined £4, in de3»ult 21 days in gaol, and was ordered to

find a bond of £2O and two sureties of £lO each to keep the peace for six months. Alax Wolfe, on remand, was charged today with assaulting Joseph Kilcolly, a special constable, on November VI, and causing him actual bodily harm. The evidence showed that Kilcolly, with another special, was having a drink* in Barrett s Hotel, when accused said, “Take that!” (using an insulting epithet), and threw a beer glass, striking Kilcolly on the cheek and inflicting a severe wound. The accused was committed’ for trial, bail £IOO and sureties. UNITED FEDERATION OF LABOUR. A STATEMENT CHALLENGED. AVELLINGTON, December 4. Referring to the statement by the Employers' Defence Committee identifying the Federation of Labour with tho I.AA.AA., Mr J. Dowgray (acting president of tne Lnitcd Federation) said the statement was full of errors. There had been a confusion of the United Federation of Labour with the Federation of Labour. The two organisations were not ■the same. The preamble of tho Federation of Labour, which was so like that of the I.AA.AA., was not- the preamble of the United Federation of Labour. As president of the Millertou Miners Union for seven years, Air Dowgray said there had boon no breach of agreement or tiie loss of a single day through a breac.i of agreement on tho part of the miners of Alillerton, and the same thing applied to other miners. There was a stoppage at trie Stockton miiio, but that had nothing to do with agreements or breaches of agreements. Then the federation ordered tho members back to work, and they went buck. ‘* All the agreements which we as miners have made with tho employers have been kept.” said Air Dowgray. ” I have never signed an agreement which I have not had kept by the Illinois, and no trouble about them has arisen, and my word is my bond. It was with tho miners that tho federation originated.” EAIPLOYERS STILL FIRAI. MESSAGE TO MR HUGHES. AVELLINGTON, December 4. The following cablegram has been despatched by the AA'ellington Employers’ Defence Committee to Air AA . M. Hughes, Al. P., Sydney i — . . . •' 'i he employers throughout the dominion thank you for your lengthy and explicit cablegram of the 2nd inst. which has had their careful consideration. This conumttee desires now to make it quite clear to you that in cabling you cur statement of the position it was not our intention to invoke your assistance or provoke trouble on your side. AVe were aware, of course, that delegates from tho Federation ol Labour were with you. and we desired to prevent any misconception and to tnect any misrepresentations by placing before you a clear statement of the position—a statement which we have no hesitation in saying we are prepared to substantiate. The employers c£ the dominion have decided that they cannot, and will not, retire from the position that has been forced upon them owing to the refusal of tho Federation of Labour to recognise the binding force of 'agreements. The employers repeat that they cannot in any way recognise the federation or any unions subject to its control. They have solemnly pledged themselves to- stand by the arbitration unions, and cannot recede from that undertaking. There is, consequently, nothing left for arbitration, as the employers, know of no grievances that are standing in the way of the strikers joining the new unions, but if there are any such grievances they should bo formulated and presented to the employers for consideration. If such grievances cannot ...be removed by any other means this committee will consult with other committees as to whether they should he submitted to arbitration. The employers submit that as the work of the principal ports of the dominion is now being effectively carried on by the members of tho new unions in ample numbers there is, therefore, notwithstanding your assertion to the contrary, no present waterside dispute in existence, and consequently they fail to see any reason why the Australian workers should involve themselves in the trouble. — Fosfliß, Chairman.” CH A RG K A G AIN ST 110 L L A N D. AVELLINGTON. December 4. Henry Holland was charged at {he Alagistrate’s Court to-day with inciting persons to resist the police and commit a breach of the peace. The charge arose out of the meeting at the Basin Reserve, at which Young's statements were made. Leo S. Fanning, a member of the Evening Post literary staff, gave evidence as to reporting the words contained in tho charge. He said Holland had been talking about the police at Broken Hill, and was reciting the words which ho said ho had siioken there. The Magistrate said lie was not prepared to convict. The case was not the same as Young's, and he was not satisfied that Holland's words wer> a direct incitement to tho people. They were only a repetition of a previous statement. The information on these points was dismissed. but tho charge of sedition has yet to bo heard. AUCKLAND. AA'ork was proceeding satisfactorily on the 4th. The mounted special police who have been patrolling the waterfront have been withdrawn, and about 200 have been dismissed. The restrictions placed upon hotels have been removed. ADDRESSES BY AIR HICKEY. AUCKLAND. December 4. Air P. H. Hickey, secretary of the United Federation of Labour, paid a visit to Auckland yesterday, and addressed meetings of waterside workers and seamen, lie left this morning for Huntlv. and will return to AVellington (his evening. Prior to his departure this morning Air Hickey said that the offer made by Air Hughes on. behalf of the Australian workers to the Now Zealand employers was one which met with the entire approval of the executive of the United Federation. Ho commented briefly on tho persistent manner in which the employers in New Zealand referred to ‘ the Federation of Labour.” The old Federation of Labour no longer existed, but had l>ecn absorbed by the United Federation, which included arbitration unions as well as non-arbitration unions, and was so constituted as to be able to conserve the best interests of each. Speaking to tho waterside workers yesterday, Mr Hickey said Unionism is fighting for its life, and all workers should realise what thus means, am! play their part

manfully. The employers have refused to consider any proposals, although the United Federation has agreed to stand aside if a settlement has been arranged with the unions themselves. The employers appear to bo out to smash unionism, but the position of the strikers is stronger to-day than ever.” t DEPLORABLE SCENE IN AUCKLAND. SOCIALIST ATTACKED. HUSTLED OFF A STEAMER. (Fnoxt Our Own Correspondent.) AUCKLAND, December 4. One of the most exciting incidents arising out of the strike occurred in connection with the departure of the Mahcno for Sydney this evening. Charles Reeve, a well-known Socialistorator and a vendor of fish and oysters, who was very prominent in the early stages of the trouble, boarded the vessel as a passenger, but was bodily hauled off again by a party of specials and emergency firemen. In the process he was severely beaten, and when he was finally east off ho presented a very woe-begono and dishevelled appearance. Needless to say, Reeve missed his passage to Sydney. The bitter feelings of resentment which culminated in the attack on Reeve have been rankling in the minds of the special constables for a long time. These feelings were principally engendered by the man's public utterances, which have been in keeping with the professed creed of the I.WAV'. What is said to have chiefly angered the specials is a suggestion which Reeve is credited with having made in one of his street speeches that the strikers should march into the country and wreak their vengeance for the capture from them of the port by the “ cookies ” on the farmers’ wives. EMPLOYERS’ ACTION ENDORSED. NAPIER, December 4. At a meeting of merchants, farmers, and business men this afternoon a resolution was passed expressing full confidence in the Wellington Citizens’ Defence Committee, endorsing tbc further statement by the committee published in to-day s papers, and stronjfflv urging the committee to refuse to negotiate with the Labour Federation, which -openlv repudiates agreements signed bv its responsible officers; also urging the obligations of the employers to the newly - formed Arbitration Union, and its full recognition by all parties. FRICTION AT NAPIER. NAPIER, December 4. A mooting of the local members of the Seamen’s Union was held last night, when the men wore addressed by a member of the Wellington Strike Committee. It was almost unanimously decided not to work on the ships or on the wharves after to-day. SAWMILLING TRADE DEPRESSED. WANGANUI, December 4. Owing to the depressed trade in building timbers, the Rangitikei Sawmlllors’ Association has deckled to close down next_ week and to resume operations if trade is brisker on January 7. About 30 mills are affected. At a mooting of the Wanganui Drivers’ Union it was decided to vote £5 towards the funds of the Strike Distress Committee. POSITION IN SYDNEY. APPEAL FOR FUNDS. SYDNEY, December 4. The wharf labourers at Newcastle have declined to unload the barque Wanganui, which is loaded with Now Zealand timber. The unions are responding well to the Labour Council’s appeal for funds for the New Zealand strikers. The wharf labourers again ignored the conference’s resolution to confine the boycott to New Zealand boats, and no labour was available to-day for the Tofua and Karitanc. The Union Company thereupon interviewed representatives of the union, but the latter were not in a position tt> say anything. The company, in order to give ail possible assistance, withdrew the whole of its staff and officers from the wharf. The company reckoned that this would remove the chance to use the “blackleg” and “scab” excuse. The Union Company later in the afternoon sent its regular staff back to work, placing them aboard the Makura and the Maungamii. The men will discharge the Makura and load the Maungamii, When the seamen found that coal was being loaded into the steamer Brisbane at Newcastle without trimmers they intimated that they would not take her to sea if her destination was Lyttelton. This difficulty has not yet been overcome, and it threatens to lead to an extension of the trouble. POSITION AT NEWCASTLE. SYDNEY, December 4. The position at Newcastle will require most careful handling, or a serious crisis will bo precipitated in connection with the Government coal-loading cranes, .{or the Chief Railway Commissioner has threatened instant dismissal to any man refusing to coal any ships. A delegation of prominent commercial men interviewed the Commissioner of Ra lv.avs and urged on him the necessity of caution pointing out that should the cranes cease working the whole of the northern coalfields, employing over 20.000 hands, would probably be rendered idle, and fire added to the already widespread discontent. The Commissioner agreed to visit Newcastle and inquire into the position. The Labour Conference has sent Mr Watson, president of the Colliery Employees’ Federation, to the northern district. so that his advice and judgment regarding the situation may be available on the spot. STATEMENT BY MR HUGHES. AWAITING FURTHER INFORMATION. SYDNEY, December 4. Mr W. M. Hughes, M.H.R., states that until lie has received replies from Mr M assoy and Sir Joseph Ward to hie request to use their every endeavour to get both sides -to accept arbitration ho is. not prepared to accept the bald statement that the conference’s cabled proposal has been declined. Mr Hughes emphatically denied the statement tnat the conference was holding off the strike until after the New South Wales clectiona. “ Members of the conference,” ho said, "are sincerely desirous of industrial

pence. Elections or no elections, they would have acted in the same way. The community may rest perfectly assured that everything conducive to industrial peace and well-being will be done.’’ The Morning Herald says: “As was anticipated, the proposal to refer the dispute to Sir Joshua Williams was put aside by the New Zealand employers, who would bo entitled very properly to resent the interference on the part of outside organisations in another country who have no connection with the dispute in the dominion, and are not prejudiced by it.” A DEPLORABLE RECORD. SYDNEY, December 4. During the past nine months there have been 148 strike disputes in the Commonwealth. involving 41,737 employees. The number of working days lost was 529,642, and the loss iu wages was £235,058. VICTORIAN MEAT TRADE. S ERIOUSLY AFFECTED. MELBOURNE, December 4. The New Zealand trouble has already had a serious effect on the meat, export trade in Victoria, and if the strika continues the employment of about 1000 highly-paid hands will be endangered. The representative of one of the loading meat firms says that owing to the strike in New Zealand and the consequent limit;* tions of space for frozen cargo, there has been a considerable decrease in this season’s export of lamb, although there had been a prospect of a record season. If the strike extends the breeders will lose heavily. Mr Tucker, the secretary of the Victorian Wharf Labourers’ Union says the union has not yet been called up to handle New Zealand cargo, but if the companies attempt to run boats from here to New Zealand the men will net handle ilio cargo that has to be unloaded by the arbitration unionists, neither will they touch goods loaded by them. DUNEDIN. Splendid work was done on the sth in loading and unloading- the Kaiapoi> Waitomo, Dorset, ’lurakina. and Mimiro. The Invercargill sailed for Invercargill with a full load. It would appear that few of the many members of the old union have joined the ranks of the Arbitration Union. The total disbursements in the way of pay to specials up to date amounted to £I4OO. The Utago Harbour Board has resumed work on a small scale. ’ The Shipwrights’ Union at Port Chalmers has declined to resume work on the Harbour Board’s new tug in course of construction. It is understood that Sir Joshua Williams will bo asked to arbitrate in the trouble between the seamen ami shipowners. The seamen take the stand that they were virtually locked out. WELLINGTON. .Fourteen hundred men were working 21 ships at Wellington on the sth, Coal is becoming scarce, and the brickworks at Newtown and Silverstrcam are closing down owing to a shortage. REPLY TO EMPLOYERS. STATEMENT BY MR HICIvEY. WELLINGTON, December 5. Mr P. Hickey, secretary of the United Federation of Labour, returned from Auckland to-day, and had something to say iu regard to the manifesto issued by the employers on Wednesday. “The official statement issued by the employers bristles with inaccuracies,” he remarked. “Of the many statements made, some of them are so contrary to fact that it would be merely a waste of time on our part to reply to them, but there is one point to win h the employers have referred more than once, and that is that the Prime Minister proposed that the dispute should be reform'd to the arbitrament of Sir Joshua Williams but it was rejected by the Waterside Workers’ Union, through the Federation of Labour. This statement is grossly inaccurate. The question of the arbitrament of the dispute by Sir Joshua Williams was never submitted to the United Federation of Labour by the employers on any occasion, and why they insist upon repeating this canard we are unable to say.” It was said by the employers that the preambles to the constitution of the I.W.W. arid the Federation of Labour were almost identical, but it was most extraordinary in the interest of truth utid justice that the employers did not. make the discovery that the United Federation of Labour ' had no preamble whatever. The employers quoted clauses of the preamble belonging to an organisation that did not now exist, and was in no way connected with the federation. It would be remembered that when the federation was launched the hundreds of delegates present decided by a majority of 14 votes to have no preamble. For what purpose the employers now \yished to drag in the preamble and attach it to an organisation that said it would have no preamble was best known to themselves. As a matter of fact, the letters ’ 1.W.W.” had been establimcd as a bogey in New Zealand, and it appeared as though the employers expected that if they could hoodwink a considerable section of the public into the belief that the federation was part and parcel of the 1.W.W., it would count in their favour. Fully a column of newspaper space was devoted to these references to the 1.W.W., oif the presumption that the preamble of that body was the preamble of the federation.. Since the federation now pointed out that it had no preamble, it trusted that the employers would first have the good taste to withdraw their statements in this connection, and, secondly, refrain from deliberately misrepresenting the federation on every occasion they attempted to bolster un their case. As a matter of fact, the most bitter opposition that the federation had had to meet since its inception was from the I.W.W. group at Auckland. QUESTION BY MR PAYNE. (From Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON. December 5. In the House of Representatives this afternoon Mr Payne gave notice to ask the Government whether, seeing that the charges against Robert Semple had fallen through, th» magistrate was entitled to fix securities to the extent of £ISOO and to bind him over to keep the peace for 12 mouths. Mr Payne -was proceeding to explain his question and: to elaborate it with his own views, when the Prime Minister raised the point of order tliat in doing so the member should confine his “ note” to statements of fact, and not give expression to his own opinions.

The Speaker said a member giving notice of a. question was only entitled to put forward facts ;n support of hits question. Ho would have a look at the question before it went on the Order Paper. CHARGES AGAINST STRIKE LEADERS. ACCUSED BOUND OVER TO KEEP THE PEACE. WELLINGTON, December 5. The cases against the strike leaders on various charges of inciting in connection with the public utterances were resumed to-day before Mr W. G. Riddell, S.M. Mr H. H. Ostler appeared for the Crown, and Mr T. M. Wilford and Mr P. J. O'Rcgan for the accused. Thomas Barker was charged with usuing seditious language in the words uttered at Wellington on October 29 in the presence of a large number of waterside workers: " You should husband your resources and cope in such a way with the situation as to make Wellington a second Johannesburg. You do not know the moment when such a situation may arise. Ihe strike will probably affect not Wellington only, but the whole of the dominion. The emolovers of New Zealand are not more civilised than those of oilier countries. Whilst Jhey own the worker.-,' bread they deny the workers the right to work for it. When trouble arises they will not hesitate to give them a feed of had. Every economic question is settled by force. It is a question w*hich side can exercise the most force." An application was made that the accused should be bound over to keep the peace. To this course Barker pave his consent. In answer ;,o a question by the .Magistrate, Mr Ostler said the accused was organiser for tile Industrial Workers of the World. Mr Wilford: He is only a tram conductor. The Magistrate said the accused had consented to be bound over. He would be required to find tile sum of £SOO in his own recognisance to keep the peace for one year, with two sureties of £SOO each. Mr O'Rcgan asked if his Worship could reduce the bail, as it was at present prohibitive. He suggested it should be reduced by half—to £250 and similar sureties. The accused was a young man. and had been connected with the I.W.W. for only about three months. His Worship refused to make any reduction. The chaise of uttering seditious language was withdrawn by leave of the court. Robert Semple was charged with having, on November 1, incited persons to commit a breach of the peace by uttering the following words: "Since I have arrived in Wellington I have received a wire to say that Superintendent Mitchell has been withdrawn from the charge at Auckland. Cullen and Hcrdman are responsible for this. Cullen it, sheltering in an office, and will not be seen leading the men. I hope that there will be no shooting, but if any is done, and Cullen will come out, I undertaken to shoot him first." The application for accused to be bound over was ouposed. Detective-Sergeant Rawle gave similar evidence. Evidence as to the condition of affairs in the streets and on the waterfront before and after the date of the utterance" was given Mr Wilford at this stage submitted Hint the evidence being adduced was irrelevant, and had no right to be submitted to the court on the present charge. This concluded the case for the prosecution. The Magistrate, in reply to points raised by Mr Wilford, said the evidence had already been admitted, and in the event of an appeal the point could be discussed by a higher court. As to jurisdiction, the 'Magistrate contended that the Justices of the Peace Act gave ample power to deal with the offence. The defendant must be convicted. . Mr Wilford: Then I jjropoee to give notice of appeal. The Mag.strate ordered the accused to enter into a bond in the sum of £SOO and two sureties of £SOO, to keep the pence for a period of one year. Security for the costs of appeal woul 1 be fixed at £lO 10s. Mr Wilford made the contention that the sureties wer? contained in the magistrate's decision, against which he appealed. After further d : scess : on the magistrate decided to alter the decision in regard to sureties. The effect is that to be released the accused must find sureties amounting in all to £IOOO A further charge of inciting persons to resist constables in the execution of their duty was withdrawn by leave of the court. FRESH CHARGE AGAINST SEMPLE. ACCUSED REMANDED TO AUCKLAND WELLINGTON, December 5. In the Magistrate's Court this afternoon a frefch charge of speaking seditious words was brought against Robert Si mple, in connection with one of his Auckland utterances reported in the New Zealand Herald. The words in the charge were, and the occasion October 30, in Auckland:—" I have word through from Wellington that they used their batons on the workers there tonight, and they discovered that l lie workers could' hit as hard as they could, but the workers got the best of it in • Wellington to-night. That showed that they could club when they were clubbed, and we call do the same. If they use violence we a!6o will club them as they club un. We do not want to do ihis. God forbid ! The prison walls can settle no dispute for us. The only way to settle these industrial problems is bv calm, cool reasoning and judgment. We will r '.v at > nrst we . cnn to avoid bloodshed and to settle our difficulty without spilling one drop of blood. Bloodshed wins no argument. They might want all their reserve of strength, but I say to you that we are not going to accept violence, and every worker should have something'more in his possession than his naked fists, so that he can hand back as good as he gets from something more than naked fists. If it is lawful to if«ue 1100 batons' wherewith to attack the workers it is equally lawful for the workers to have batons to protect themselves. These people have batons to club you, and I ask you for the defence of your characters, of your manhood, and of your wives and families to be ready to club" them back again." On the application of Chief Detective Broberg the accused was remanded to appear at Auokland on the 12th inst. Bail was allowed in the sum of £250 and two sureties of £250 eacli.

YOUNG AND HOLLAND COMMITTED FOR TRIAL. WELLINGTON, December 5. W. T. Young and H. Holland were committed for trial on the sedition charges. Young was allowed bail—himself £IOO and one surety £IOO. and Holland (who has two charges against him) was ordered to find his own recognisance of £250 and two sureties of £250 each. C-ounsel announced to-day that the £SOO sureties required in connection with the previous charges against Young had been found. , . , Robert James Chris heal appeared today on a charge of damaging a barricade on tho wharf on October 24.. and was committed for trial, bail in £IOO being allowed. A further charge against Seal of participating in a riot on the Queen's wharf was adjourned till Tuesday. The Crown intends to appeal against the dismissal of the charge against Holland. FIREMEN FINED. WELLINGTON, December 5. Four firemen on the steamer Canada Cape who were charged with disobeying the lawful commands of the master were fined £2 each, and were ordered to forfeit two days' pay and meet the court, costs. ATTITUDE OF FARMERS' UNION. EMPLOYERS' COMMITTEE SUPPORTED. WELLINGTON, December 5. The following cablegram has been sent to the Farmers' and Settlers' Association. Sydney, by the Dominion Executive of the Farmers' Union:— "Kindly give publicity to the fact that the New Zealand Farmers' Union iestronglj against making terms with tho Federation of Labour, as suggested by tho Hon. Mr Hughes, and tltat it endorses the reply cabled by the Defence Committee to that gentleman. To federation, for trivial reasons, brought the farmers to the brink of ruin, which was only averted by the prompt action of the farmers. As the membership of the Wharf Labourers' Union is now almost sufficient to work the port, it was decided, at. a meeting of tho union today, that, although the agreement between tho employers and the workers provides for preference to unionists, priority of engagement will be given to those members joining the union on or before Monday, December 8, who are of good character and who, in the opinion of the labour foreman, aro capable of performing the work." AUCKLAND. At a ballot of the members of the new Waterside Workers' Union, the five farmers previously rejected and 50 outside applicants were elected as members, and 49 members of the old union were blackballed. The steamer Kawanto Maru arrived from Newcastle with 5000 tons of coal. LYTTELTON. The wharve.6 are still crowded with shipping, and work went on quietly on the sth. The big German steamer Sturmfels arrived from New York to discharge cargo. The Rimutaka, which sailed on the 4th, took on board at Lyttelton 10.823 boxes of butter, 754- crates of cheese, 3872 carcases of lamb, 2150 bales of wool, 375 sacks of seed, 166 sacks of peas, and a quantity of sundries. Many of the special constables are complaining that the rates of pay aro lower than they expected, owing presumably to a deduction for meals. Tho matter has been referred to the officer commanding the Canterbury specials. ' OTHER CENTRES. There is a shortage of labour at Nelson. A meeting of Greymouth citizens resolved to invite steamship companies to send vessels to the port, the citizens guaranteeing to find the necessary labour. It is stated that the sawmill hands have volunteered to handle the cargo Further supplies of fuel have arrived at Hokitika. POSITION IN SYDNEY. MR HUGHES SPEAKS PLAINLY. SYDNEY, December 5. Mr W. M. Hughes says tho extremists in the Waterside Workers' Federation are solely responsible for the refusal to follow the instructions of the conference to work all vessels with the exception of those to and from New Zealand. " It has come to this." said Mr Hughes, " the conference must insist on discipline. Some members of unions seem to imagine that unionism consists in doing as you like Such men are a menace to unionism, and are a hundred times more formidable than any capitalistic organisation. Unionists must be compelled to obey instructions or leave the organisation." Mr Hughes expresses himself as confident that the vessels which the conference decided should be worked would be worked to-day. MESSAGES TO NEW ZEALAND. SYDNEY, December 5. Mr Hughes has cabled to Mr Massey; Sir J. G. Ward,, Mr Hiokey, and Mr Foster. The cablegram to Mr Foster, replying to the latter's statement that there is nothing to arbitrate about, emphasises the obvious fact that there is a most serious industrial dispute existing. The message goes on to say: " The conference greatly deplores your unyielding attitude. Your statement that you aro irrevocably bound to the arbitrationists is inconsistent with that reasonable spirit which is necessary at this juncture. We are irrevocably committed to an exactly opposite position, yet we are prepared to submit the whole question to an arbitrator. Why are not you also? The New Zealand delegates deny the statement that the Federation of Labour does not regard industrial agreements as binding, and the delegates have supplied documentary evidence in support of their statements." The cablegram to Mr Hickey says that the statomonts made by Mr Hickey and Mr Curtice aro quoted by the employers in support of the contention that the I*abour Federation does not regard agreements as binding, and asks Mr Hickey to Rot forth Hie uttitud.. of the federation on this m ittcr. BOYCOTT IN- BRISBANE. BRISBANE. December 5. Tiie Federated Waterside Works' Union notified the shipping companies that >"t is united in the matter of not handling oes to or from New Zealand.

DUNEDIN. Work on the wharves proceeded on Saturday without interruption. The Alarore arrived from Lyttelton and discharging was commenced shortly afterwards. The Wanaka arrived on Sunday with a cargo of sugar. Two windows in the house cf Air Douglas, night watchman on the vharf, wore wantonly broke.n. Two mass meetings were held in the Triangle on Sunday afternoon and evening, when a resolution was carried trusting that in the interest and die honour, happiness, and prosperity of Now Zealand, the Employers’ Federation, without further parley, would accede to the suggestion of Air W. Al. Hughes to place the matter in the hands of Sir Joshua V\ illiams. LYTTELTON. Eighteen vessels were working during Saturday. The Wanaka sailed for Dunedin and Bluff', and the Corinthic for northern ports to complete loading. WELLINGTON. Twenty vessels were at the wharves on Saturday, and there was work for every one of the 1400 men who came forward. Fifty-four of the Alauiiganui’s seamen were ordered to forfeit 14 days’ pay and to pay costs for refusing to work. The Supreme Court is to be asked to determine whether it is _yidthin the power of a union registered under the Arbitration Act in making a grant for the wives and children of tbs men on strike. EAIPLOYERS AND AIR HUGHES. . WELLINGTON, December 6. Mr Foster replied to Air W. Al. Hughes as follows: — “ The Defence Committee acknowledges receipt of yonr cablegram. In its incomplete knowledge of the trouble on your side it could not assume to offer advice, and regrets chat from your misconception of conditions here you give credence to misrepresentations This committee is unable to consider anything in the direction of the advice you have tendered.” STATEMENT BY MR HICKEY. WELLINGTON, December 6. . Air P. Hickey, secretary of the Federation of Labour, state® that ho has received a lengthy cablegram from Air W. M. Hughes in connection with the allegations of the employers that the federation will not accept agreements as binding. ‘‘ The best reply,” says Air Hickey, “ is the fact that since the establishment of the federation it lias reed its influence to bring about a settlement of disputes that have arisen, and was in every instance successful. The disputes at Blackball, Stockton, and Warkworth were settled through the instrumentality of the federation. The present strike could just as easily bo settled if both sides met in a spirit of sweet reasonableness. If it conies to a question of committing breaches of agreement, the employers cannot show a clean sheet. Quibbling on this point, however, at the present time will serve no good purpose. Wo have repeatedly given our assurance that on the question of submitting the whole of the points in the present dispute wo would loyally abide by the decision of the arbitrator. Wo reiterate that assurance onee more.” MEETING OF UNIONISTS. WELLINGTON, December 7. At a meeting to-day of the representatives of unions not out on strike resolutions were earned calling upon the Government to intercede m the present industrial crisis by compelling the employers to agree to the reasonable proposal nut forward by the United Federation of Labour that ft; Joshua Williams be appointed to arbitral m the dispute; further, that a petition for signature among the unions and general public be circulated asking the Government to r bring tJio parties together. The trades councils in other centres are to be asked to co-operate in this direction. THE GOVERNAIENT’S BILL NEW BALLOT CLAUSE. (From Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, December 7. Iho Labour Disputes Investigation Bill, which is merely a section of the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Bill introduced r thl3 sesslon > " ;w circulated yestor Iho effect of the Bill has already been noted. Jt contains proposals to deal with strikes m societies of workers not registered under the Arbitration Act and with lockouts by employers of such workers but it contains one proposal which is distinctly new. J The Bill originally provided that before a union could strike legally a secret ballot of members had to he taken under pronor supervision. I he new Bill also has the following clause:—“At any time during the continuance strike which is not an unlawful strike the registrar may, on the requisition of not loss than 5 per cent, of those noikers who arc directly concerned in the strike (being members of a society or societies of workers) take a ballot of ail such members directly concerned in the strike on any question relating to the strike that may be proposed by the requisition.” AUCKLAND. As some men, thought to be .- trike picket*, had congregated at one of the corners of Queen street, and wore making remarks to passers by, a detachment of mounted specials and two uniformed police cleared the side walk. There was a demonstration by strike pickets at the railway station against 12 seamen or firemen, who wore leaving for Foxton. A Police constable ordered the pickets off the railway station. OTHER CENTRES. There is a shortage of coal in Hawera and only a limited supply at Wanganui. The miners on the West Coast are reported to be heartily sick of the strike. GOYER X AIE NT' S ACTION APPRECIATED. (From Our Own Corp.espondent.l NEW PLYAIOUTH, December 7. At the monthly meeting of the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce last night, appreciative reference was made to the service rendered to the country both by the Government and by the farmers. A meeting of the Taranaki Importers and Exporters’ Protection Committee was held last night. The Chairman stated that the meeting had been primarily called for the purpose of discussing the position that had arisen in Australia, but the main

urgency had passed, ae, in response to a telegram from Wellington, ho had called a meeting of the Urgency Committee, and the following resolution had been passed : “That, if the Wellington Committee, after full consideration, is satisfied that there is no case for arbitration, this committee has every confidence in it, and is satisfied that it will do its best to protect the interests of all concerned.” The Chairman stated that there were 55 fully qualified members in the new Waterside Workers’ Union at New Plymouth, and he had been informed by the shipping agents that everything was working _ satisfactorily at the wharf. In order to improve the condition of the watorsiderg the Chairman agreed to provide books and papers for the men while they were waiting for boats. the call to farmers. FURTHER ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE. (From Ode Own Correspondent.) .PALMERSTON N., December 6. , Strike matters and an appeal by Mr J. O. Wilson (president of the New Zealand 1 armors’ Union) to the fanners of New Zealand occupied some attention at the monthly _ meeting of the local branch of the 1; armors 1 1 nion this morning. The secretary reported that the Defence Committee of the union had authorised the issue of a circular on which was printed an appeal to the farmers of New Zealand from the president of the union. The. appeal was in the cause of the union and the organisation to insure against such disorganisation as the farmers had been subjected to lately. Ihe president wrote that it must be patent to every farmer, no matter what branch of farming ho was engaged in. that all those connected with the land (whether great or small, rich or poor) were affected by the present crisis. They were all threatened by a complete stoppage of the shipping of the year’s output on some trivial excuse, ihe produce might have rotted on the wharf (indeed, some actually did so), because the Federation of Labour, in whoso hands the Watersiders’ Union placed the dispute, refused to ship or allow anyone else to do so. The leaders no doubt thought that by interrupting trade at a time when everyone was busy and produce was pouring in they would get command of the situation. The federation, however, did not know the men it was dealing with. Within a week from the day the Farmers’ Union made a call there were 1000 mounted men from the provinces of Wellington, Taranaki, and Hawke’s Bay as special constables in Wellington. Similarly, in Auckland province, when the .Farmers’ Union made the call, 1500 men responded to it, and the situation was saved. Instead of lawlessness, terrorism, and 1 crime, law and order were restored The federation, leading the mob, would neither work nor let others do the work.. The mounted specials were concentrated in the interests of freedom and the liberty of the subject to see that any man who wished to work should bo able'to do so without intimidation. Complete organiea-. tion was the one way to insure against disorder. A resolution was carried congratulating the authorities on the effective manner in which thex had coped with the strike, and offering assistance in the future if r.eeessary. Appreciative reference was made to the effective part which the press had played in the strike. It was stated that the newspapers had been very just, having pointed out the correct state of affairs and the injustice of the strike movement. POSITION IN SYDNEY. DEFIANT WATERSIDE WORKERS. SYDNEY. December 6. Stringent measures are being taken to overcome the men’s defiance of the union conference’s order to work certain boats. .. Mr Hughes, as president of the Waterside Workers’ Federation, has served formal notice on the secretary of the local branch to instruct members to do the required work, and to direct his executive officers to attend the wharves and afford all necessary protection to those prepared to carry out such work. Any members refusing or interfering with others are forthwith to ho suspended. This applies to members of all unions involved. Prior to this ukase the employers asked the wharf labourers’ officials themselves to work boats, but they declined. The Union Co.’s staff is steadily unloading the Karitano and the Tofua! The timber trade is now included in the “ black list,” the wharf labourers having refused to unload the Inga. MESSAGE TO MR MASSEY. SYDNEY, December 6. Mr Hughes’s cablegram to Mr Massey expresses the hope that he will use every influence to persuade the employers to accept arbitration. Mr Hughes emphasises the view that all matters, including the questions of registration or non-registration of unions, and preference or non-preference to arbitration unionists or to the Waterside Workers’ Federation, should be embraced in this proposal, and bo decided by the arbitrator. The Maunganui, which sailed for Wellington yesterday afternoon, lias on board 300 passengers and 200 tons of cargo. As a result of tho strike the executive of the Bowling Council has decided to postpone the departure of the team for New Zealand till January 2], Warrants have been issued for the arrest of tho crew of tho Tofua, who are under New Zealand articles, for a breach of the articles in giving 21 hours’ notice. ENGINEERS’ ATTITUDE. SYDNEY, December 7. The Australian engineers and fitters have decided not to resume work on boats trading to New Zealand. DUNEDIN. Work progressed satisfactorily on the 6th, but there was a scarcity of workers. ’The Wanaka arrived from the north with a large quantity of transhipments. Arrangements have been made for the receipt of wool. The mounted specials who were :n camp at Tahuna Park were paid off during the clay. BUTTER AND CHEESE EXPORTS. A SATISFACTORY POSITION. Mr J. R. Scott, secretary of the South Island Dairy Association, reports having shipped on Saturday by tho Rimutaka at Bluff 5823 crates of cheese and 1000 boxes of butter, the latter being railed from Dunedin by the Taicri and Peninsula Company. On Tuesday the association shipped 1574 crates of cheese on the Kuiar>oi for transhipment to the Rcmucra at Wellington.

Mr Scott states that the ex;xirt of butter and cheese from this end has now reached a normal position, and that before the end of the month another steamer will clean up all shipments from Bluff and Dunedin — about 8000 crates of cheese from Bluff and about. 2500 crates cheese and 5000 boxes butter from Dbiicdin. Mr Scolt adds that tho shipping companies deserve great credit for tho way ire which they are meeting the demands of an important export trade despite many difficulties. LYTTELTON AND CHRISTCHURCH. Normal conditions prevailed on tho Bth at Lyttelton and Christchurch. The secretary of the Employers’ Association is still taking the names of men prepared to work, but is not sending tho men to Lyttelton, the available space on the Te Anau being fully occupied. WELLINGTON. Heavy rain stopped much of the work on tho wharves on tho Bth inst. Intimation was received that throe big cargoes of coal have left Delagoa Bay for New Zealand. BREACHES OF THE LAW. WELLINGTON, December a At the Magistrate’s Court to-day Robert James Seal, who was charged last week with other offences connected with the strike, pleaded guilty to a charge 'of threatening behaviour on the King’s wharf on tho occasion when tho barricade was demolished and tho steamer Rimutaka rushed. Seal was fined £5, in default one month’s imprisonment, and was ordered to find a bond of £SO and two sureties of £25 each to keep the peace for six months. Richard Prince admitted assaulting an employee of tho New Zealand Express Company. Prince is a carter, and was formerly employed by tho Express Company, but no is now on strike. He tried to dissuade a man from assisting a carter at tho company’s depot. Words failing, Prince struck the man, who turned and gave him a thrashing. Prince was fined 40s, in default seven days’ imprisonment. MR HUGHES’S CABLEGRAM. PRIME MINISTER'S ACKNOWLEDGMENT. (From Odr Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, December 8. The Hon. Mr Massey has merely acknowledged receipt- of the cablegram from Mr Hughes. When questioned on the subject, he declined to make any comment on Mr Hughes’s proposal or on his own action. It may be pointed out, however, that five weeks ago Mr Massey did all that Mr Hughod now asks him to do, and a great deal more. He offered tho Strike Committee arbitration by an independent tribunal, with Sir Joshua Williams at the head of it, and the Strike Committee replied in effect that there was nothing to arbitrate about; but at that time there were no registered unions of workers doing tho wharf labour at the closed ports. Those men have now to be considered, and, in fact, they have put themselves in a position to compel consideration. They could if they chose invoke the aid of the Arbitration Court, and it is not inconceivable that tho court would Erotoet them from the effect of a decision y an outside tribunal. Nor are tho new unionists in any peculiar position. They are simply in tho same position as 75 per cent, of the unionists of Now Zealand who believe in tho arbitration method of settling disputes and who do not believe in the direct action methods of the Federation of Labour. ARBITRATION UNIONISTS. SHIPMENT TO SYDNEY SUGGESTED. WELLINGTON, ' December 0. The following cablegram was received by the Employers, Farmers, and Citizens’ Defence Committee to-day ; —“ Tho Rod Fodcrationists have committed harikari in Now Zealand now. Send a shipload ot arbitration unionists to Sydney to moor in the harbour and handle Now Zealand cargo again. Well done, New Zealand.” Tho sender is a prominent representative Australian pastoralist in New Solth Wales. In reply tho committee cabled as follows : “ Thank you for your telegram and your suggestion re arbitration unionists. Can Now South Wales guarantee protection of New Zealand workers, and that Now Zealand transhipments and other cargo will be placed alongside New Zealand steamers for loading?” AUCKLAND. ■ Work proceeded steadily on the Bth. The foot specials have been disbanded.. Tho chairman of tho Harbour Board expressed warm appreciation of their services in the time of grave emergency, and his remarks were endorsed by tho Superintendent of Police, Mr Kioly. OTHER CENTRES. About 80 men are working on the wharves at Nelson. As a result of tho closing of Groymouth, shipping business has been very brisk at Hokitika. It is probable tho result will bo the inducing of regular visits of shipping to Hokitika to discharge and load. The Westport Chamber of Commerce lias asked tho Union Company to send a boat with supplies to Westport. Business people are out of sugar, and there is a shortage of other articles. At Timaru tho Union Company’s collier Waitemata obtained a fresh crew and loft on the Bth for Hobart. POSITION IN SYDNEY. CONFERENCE OBEYED. SYDNEY, December 8. The opposition by the wharf labourers to tho conference ukase that they must work vessels belonging to the Union Company which are not engaged in the Now Zealand trade collapsed after Mr Hughes had visited tho wharf and used his influence, and two gangs commenced discharging the Tofla. Tho crew of the Karitano, which left on her arrival, have agreed to sign on again. The Newcastle coal trimmers have declined to load the Ngahero and Ngakutn for New Zealand, but loading is proceeding without their assistance. Tile crew of tho steamer Brisbane still remain on board, though their notices have expired. It is reported that the owners declined the men’s invitation to rcqriovc them. GLUT OF COAL AT NEWCASTLE. SYDNEY, December 8. Tlte Pelaw Main colliery is idle, owing to the management’s inability to got coal

away from Newcastle. Other pits are sul' fering to a less extent. S Ihe crane employees at Newcastle hava decided to adopt the conference ukase and! to load all vessels excepting those in the New Zealand run. STRIKE COMIMTTEE’S MANIFESTO. 'I ho Christchurch Strike. Committee ha* (says the Press) issued a manifesto, in which the following occurs: Ihe employers have now made the rod for their own backs, and if they would owtt the truth their backs are pretty sore noWi Their long game of bluff will be countered with stern determination from our side. They have not any weak-kneed body to deal with, but a body of strong, intelligent, and determined men who are prepared to fight to the bitter end. Our men are cheerful and happy. They have plenty to eat and drink. Their motto now is written down in capital letters; ‘No surrender of our natural right to manage our own affairs.’ “\\o have established a strike camp in May’s road, off Papanui road. A good number of our men are now comfortably installed there. They have everything possible in the way of eating and drinking and comfortable beds. Concerts arc to ho arranged, and games and matches of all descriptions are to be carried into effect. Any photographer is invited to go and take a photograph of this really fine body —of workers. There they will find the true worker, who is willing to stop in his comfortable camp until the employers come to their senses. Yesterday two ladies drove out to the camp in their motor car and took afternoon tea to the boys, thus proving that the specials are not the only body of men that get afternoon tea taken to their , camp. We invite any citizen of Christchurch or elsewhere to visit the camp. Let ( them judge for themselves. Let them study the matter over quietly after their visit, . and sec if they honestly think a fine body of clean-living men like they certainly are would be prepared to have a holiday up there indefinitely if their cause was not a just one.” The important part which Timaru ha* taken in the recent industrial crisis is per* . haps not quite recognised by the publio generally (says the Timaru Herald). For this the community has to thank the presenti Waterside Union, the members of which hav* remained loyal to their "groement in spite of much aggressive intimidation. The collier Waitemata, at present in port, before leav-. ing will have put ashore over 7000 tons of coal, some of which will bo railed as far north as Christchurch, thus helping to keep/ in motion the wheels of industry.