RED FEDS' WAIL.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 4700, 29 November 1913, Page 5

RED FEDS' WAIL.

EMPLOYERS’ FIRM STAND. WON’T TREAT WITH THEM. ARRESTED SEAMEN RETURN. OASES AGAINST THE LEADERS. AIINOR CHARGES DEALT .WITH. Electric Telegraph—Press Association Wellington, Last Night. The Defence Committee declines to recognise the Federation of Labour or any third party, and will deal solely with the arbitration unions. Phe federation of Labour officials stated to-night, in reference to the employers’ refusal to submit the dispute to the arbitrament of Sir Joshua Williams: “It uow is apparent that the sole reason actuating the employers ill continuing the struggle was the desire to wipe out all forms of organisation not palatable to them. The sole responsibility for the continuance of the dispute now rests upon the employers. All unions engaged in the strike were sincere in the desire to see a speedy settlement.” Th 28 firemen who left the Corinthie and were each sentenced to one month’s imprisonment were brought before the Court again this afternoon. Counsel mentioned that the men had now agreed to return to work, and the Alagistrate altered his decision in ordering the men to conic up for sentence when called upon, on the understanding that they agreedto obey the captain’s commands in future. Fifty-four of the crew of the Maunganui were charged with deserting the vessel on Wednesday night. Counsel said the men were willing to go back to the ship if the magistrate ordered them to do so. The facts were admitted, and the defence hinged upon the construction of the article. The cases were adjourned till December 6, hail being granted the accused in £lO each. l

Tile Corinthie firemen having returned, the vessel got away for Lyttelton at 3.30 this afternoon. The Alaunganui also sailed at 6.25 for Syd. ney. During the morning the Ngahere left for Brisbane.

This afternoon Samuel Thompson, said to be a wharf labourer on strike, was arrested for participating in the Waterloo quay riot on October 30. Samuel Jansen, also a wharf labourer, was arrested for rioting on Queen’s wharf on October 24. It is alleged that he took part in the attacks on the free labourers working on the steamers Defender and Navua.

THE ARRESTED LEADERS,

LESSER LIGHTS DEALT WITH

BOUND OVER TO KEEP PEACE

Wellington, Last Night. The cases against the strike leaders were continued in the Alagistrate’s Court this afternoon.

In Young’s case, Air O'Regan, second counsel for the defence, was about to adddress the Court when At r Ostler, counsel for the Crown, objected on the ground that the procedure only provided for one counsel on each side to address the Court. He had no objection on other grounds. His Worship said that he would allow Mr O’Regan to proceed with his address so long as he used arguments different from those submitted bv Mr AVilford.

This assurance was given and Mr O’Regan then traversed the Police Offences Act.

Air Ostler, in reply, contended that not one authority quoted by his friend had any direct bearing on the matter.

His AVorship intimated that in view of the importance of the question raised he would take time to consider the matter and give his decision at as early a date as possible. In answer to Afr AVilford, Air Ostler said he projxised to hold over the action for sureties of the peace. Mr AVilford contended that as the same words were relied upon in this charge as were depended on in the charge already proceeded with the second charge could not be proceeded with as there could not be two prosecutions for the one offence. The surety case must therefore be dropped by the prosecution. His Worship said he did not think it was necessary to go into tho question of sureties at the present time. Accused was remanded to appear on Thursday, December 4. George Bailey, some time chairman of strikers’ open-air meetings in Wellington, was charged with inciting people to commit a breach of peace. Air P. J. O’Regan, who appeared for the defence, agreed to accused being bound over, but asked that sureties bo not made too heavy or the accused would be unable to find them.

The Magistrate remarked that Bailey did not appear to have been a leader. Ho would lie bound over to keep the peace for twelve months in his own recognisance of £2OO and two sureties of £2OO each. Peter Eraser, secretary of the So-cial-Democratic Party, was similarly treated. The charge against Fraser of having incited resistance of the police was withdrawn. The cases against Semple, Holland, and Barker were adjourned till December 4, when the decision in Young’s case will he given, counsel stating that the defence in each case would he similar to that in Young’s.

It lOTERS SENTENCED. TO LENGTH Y TERMS. Wellington, This Day. Archibald Campbell, already undergoing two months’ imprisonment connected with rioting, and William Lawton, undergoing throe months’, were brought before the Supreme Court today on further charges of a similar nature, to which they had pleaded guilty. Campbell was sentenced to eight months’ imprisonment, in addition to his present sentence, and Lawton to nine months’ additional. The Chief Justice referred to the seriousness of the offences upon which the prisoners were liable to two years' rmprisonment and ten years’ reformatory treatment. Lawton’s offence was in connection with the serious rioting outside Whiteombo and Tombs’ shop.

LATEST’ FROM WELLINGTON.

Wellington, This Day. Between 1100 and 1200 men. were working at the waterfront this morning, in addition to 200 of the crews. The membership of the new union is now 1600.

Sureties for the release of Bailey and Fraser are forthcoming. They are being enquired into by the police. The month’s Customs totalled £5,742, an increase over the receipts for November of last year of £2OOO.

POSITION IN AUCKLAND. STRIKE PAY REDUCED

Auckland, Last Night. There is nothing new to record with regard to the industrial position to-day. The question of supply and demand is rapidly adjusting itself in the lal> our market with the exception of that field of labour which is covered by drivers, waterside workers and seamen. There are still between 200 and 300 members of the Drivers’ Union who are not at work, but it is problematical whether there is really a shortage of drivers. The new Seamen’s Union now numbers 190.

The watersiders on strike met this morning, and expressed their determination to see the struggle through to the end. It was stated at the meeting that only 52 members bad deserted the strikers. It was announced that strike pay would he reduced from 15s 6cl to 14s 6d .per week.

IN THE SOUTH ISLAND.

MATTERS RETORTED QUIET.

Christchurch, Last Night. There were busy scenes on every wharf at Lyttelton to-day, and the amount of cargo handled exceeded that of any previous day. In town absolute orderliness prevailed, and away from the waterfront Lyttelton was very dull. Nine steamers and four schooners were discharging cargo at high pressure. About 21 new members joined the Arbitration L T niou to-day, and the total is now 121 genuine workers. Owing to the non-arrival of the Corinthiq there was a supply of men for every ship which required labour outside. So far there have beeu uo cases of trouble, between specials and strikers, and many of the former when off duty stroll smilingly about the streets. Last night the specials guarding the tunnel were made the object of a cowardly attack by some miscreant* There is a large supply of stones for the retaining wall, which, is being built along the upper road, and one of these big lumps of rock was hurled over tin parapet above the tunnel. Fortunately none of the specials were within it when it fell.

From outward appearances it would have been difficult to gather to-day that there was anything in the nature of a strike on in Christchurch. So large is the number of drivers who have returned to their work that transport operations are practically assuming their normal condition. A small patrol of mounted special constables were about the only sign of anything unusual in activities. Messrs Skelton, Frostick and Co. have reopened their Zealandia Boot Factory. A large number of tho drivers still on strike are getting full up of the whole matter.

Affairs at the Showground camp are going on steadily and quietly. Mr John Studholnre is in command of four' hundred foot that are in camp at the present time.’''lt is understood that in the very near future the number of specials will be considerably reduced. as it is found that their services will not be required. Greymouth, Last Night.

At a meeting of the Greymouth Jockey Club it was decided that in the event of the horses nominated at the summer meeting being unable to reach Greymouth, owing to the strike, the nomination fees in respect of such horses lie refunded.

Westport, Last Night.. A ballot was taken by the Westport hranch of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants on the proposal to strike a 5 per cent, levy on behalf of the strikers. The proposal was defeated by 68 votes to 26. There were 27 papers unreturned. Invercargill, Last Night. When the Nightcaps miners went out on strike three weeks ago 25 employees remained loyal to the employers and have since been working the mine. They have now received the following letter from Air Chas. Robertson, secretary of the union: “At a general meeting of the Miners’ Union, held on November 26, it was decided to call on all employees at the company’s mine to cease work, owing to the introduction of free labour. You are therefore appealed to by the union to cease work on Saturday, November 29, 1913.”

THE BLAZE ABROAD. MORE TROUBLE IN SYDNEY. OTHER LINES AFFECTED. Sydney, Last Night. The Mahetio sailed at 1 a.m. for Auckland. Mr John Roberts, of Dunedin, one of the directors of the Union Company, has arrived from a year’s visit to the Old World. In view of the sticking up of tho Tofu a, the steamer Upolu, owned by Messrs Nelson and Roberts, is being placed in commission for the Fiji trade. One object is to provide the Islanders with supplies of Christmas

goods. It is reported that a number of steamers are chartered or being chartered to carry Newcastle coal to New Zealand.

The shipping trouble threatens to spread, and involve the Hudclart Barker Company’s steamers. The sailors and firemen on the Ulimaroa, due to sail for Wellington at noon tomorrow, gave twenty-four hours’ notice on the return of the vessel from hunkering at Newcastle this morning. The Seamen’s Union will hold a special meeting to-morrow morning to consider the case. It appears that the men gave notice without consulting the union.

’Die Aorangi is also listed to sail for Han Francisco, via New Zealand, to-morrow, and as tho crew lias already signed on, trouble is not aid ici-

pated, though there are many rumours and much uncertainty as to the position generally. The Tofua’s cargo of bananas is being rapidly unloaded, there being no attempt at intereference with the free labour employed. It is reported that a number of steamers have been chartered or are being chartered to carry Newcastle coal to New Zealand. A wireless from the Maheno, 200 miles off the land, reported—“ All well.” .

RURAL WORKERS’ STRIKE. Sydney, Last Night. There is every appearance of a strike of rural workers in the Northern districts. The present wages vary from 8s to 10s a day, with keep, and 14s a day is demanded. The .Australian Workers’ Union is taking the matter up. Preparations are being made for the erection of a camp near Tamworth, where the men will be quartered until their demands are acceded to. Many splendid crops in sheltered places are ready for harvesting. The Darling Harbour wheat handlers’ strike is settled. An agreement has been signed, conceding the bulk of the men’s demands, including the abolition of contractors.

BIG BLAZE THREATENED. ALL TRANSPORTERS SUMMONED. BLACK AND WHITE BANANAS. CAN’T TELL WHICH IS WHICH. (Received this day at 9.15 a.m.) Sydney, This Day. Mr W. M. Hughes, the Federal M.P., and president of the Transporters’ Federation, has summoned a meeting of the Federation and also a conference of the Federated and Affiliated Workers’ Lnion and of the Labour Federation. Questioned if he thought the trouble would spread. Mr Hughes replied that he would not like to say, but there was always the danger that an industrial fire, once alight, would spread. Shown the cablegraih in which it was reported that the New Zealand Employers’ Defence Committee, in reply to the Federation of Labour’s offer to accept Sir Joshua Williams’s arbitration, had declined to recognise the Federation or any third party, and stating that it would deal only with the arbitration unions. Mr Hughes said: “If that is really the attitude of the employers, I am very sorry indeed. Tlie policy of sweet reasonableness was certainly a desirable stand, quite apart from the rights and wrongs of the original dispute, of which T know nothing. There is an effort bona finde made for settlement by peaceful means by arbitration, with the assurance by the responsible leaders that whatever is the decision the men will loyally abide thereby. In fact it. is difficult to understand the attitude of the Employers’ Defence Committee. However, I decline to believe that the employers have rejected this proposal of the men,” A conference will be held on Monday of the whole of the iron trades, to consider what action shall be taken regarding repairs to New Zealand boats.

Twenty unions outsido the Federation and iron trades have already decided not to touch these boats. The Tofua’s bananas nearly caused trouble in the Darling Harbour goods yards on Thursday. Yesterday the Tofua’s bananas were classified as “black,” and Queensland’s as “white,’ but as both were arriving at the railway yards simultaneously the men did not know which was which. Consequently the men were half inclined to take action without consulting the officials of the union. However, two of the officials prevented precipitated action. The meu are determined to stand by the resolution of the Federation of Labour regarding “black” goods. Their executive meets to-mor-row.

TERRORISTS IN DUBLIN

London, Last Night. Intimidation is prevalent in Dublin. There is scarcely a night but free labourers are assaulted, chased and stoned. ’Hiroe sailors were severely mauled. REDUCED WAGES. (Received this day at 9.15 a.m.) London, This Day. Wages in the manufactured iron and steel trades in North England have been reduced sixpence per ton for puddling and five per centum in other forges and mills.

THE WAR IN AFRICA. London, Last Night. The Daily Telegraph says that an official inquiry into the allegations regarding the repression of Indians is urgently required. The position is the most dangerous ever faced by Imperial statesmen. The Indian population of Natal is 150.000. The poll tax, it adds, is a rough and ready way to stem the .invasion. Capetown, Last Night. Accounts of the Blackburn incident are conflicting, ft appears there were two separate affrays—one on the Hilltnead estate and the other on the Blackburn estate. Six Indians were killed at iHillmead and three police taken to the hospital. Half the 11iIImead workers agreed to resume. The police were sent to arrest the ringleaders and recalcitrants, and the latter attacked the police. Three compatriots proceeding to work rejoined them .and a general fighl ensued. The police fired overhead, and the Indians retaliated. The troopers and horse polio® fired in earnest. Sir T. W. fhmirtf (Loader of the South African Opposition), speaking at the Unionist Conference, promised to support the Union in regard to a Government settlement of the Indian question. The Government, ho said, should pocket its pride and realise the responsibilities of Empire. Indian telegrams indicate growing excitement.

INDIA MORE CONCILIATORY. (Received this day at 8.30 a.m.) London, This Day. Renter's Delhi correspondent slates that. Lord llardinge’s spet<ch has eased the tension, the native press being

more conciliatory. Meetings expressed gratitude for Lord • Hardinge’s outspokenness.

The Times of India declares that owing to General Botha’s evasions the people of India do not trust his affirmations.

The Bombay Chronicle .says that General Botha’s speech is inspired by a tone of lofty superiority and almost contempt of the Indians’ claims. The Bombay Gazette says that Lord Hardinge’s speech is not calculated to diminish the difficulties, but may obscure the Indian grievances in a controversy involving a greater issue. (Received this day at 9.15 a.m.)

London, This Day. The Natal Indian Association in a cable alleges that the position is intensely serious. The military and police, the Association says, are using arms to force the strikers to resume. Four were killed at Blackburn and sixty-six injured, twelve of them seriously. The casualties were probably more, but the Government refused facilities for investigation. The Association trusts that the Imperial and Indian Government will immediately intervene. The Association also reports that thirteen of its leaders have been arrested.