ALL PORTS WORKING.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 4701, 1 December 1913, Page 5

ALL PORTS WORKING.

FINE RECORDS ESTABLISHED. NEW ZEALAND ALMOST CLEAR. THE FEVER IN AUSTRALIA. SERIOUS CRISIS RPORTED. Electric Telegraph—Press Association Wellington, Last Night. Good work in handling cargo on the wharves was accomplished on Saturday, in spite of some delay caused by rain. The steamer Canada Cape, from hrisco, was berthed and commenced discharging, while the overseas ships Sturmfels and Hercules were also busy, as well as a number of coastal vessels. The Home liner Opawa completed loading wool and hemp, and ■' as ready to leave for London to-day, but owing to some of her firemen deserting during the night she is held np. Hie Wairuna finished unloading coal for the Gas Company at Miramar last night, and got away this morning for Fiji. Sureties (which are awaiting approval by the police) have been’deposited for the release of Peter Fraser and George Bailey, who were bound over by Mr W. G. Riddell, S.M., on Friday to keep the peace for twelve months in their own recognisances of £2OO each, and two sureties each of £2OO. The sureties offering for Fraser are those of J. Mcllwraith, grocer, Willis street, and J. Glover, secretary of the Federation of Labour. Bailey’s sureties are G. F. Turnbull, grocer, Adelaide road, and R. Hogg, Paparangi, sub-editor N.Z. Truth. Pending the completion of the formalities both accused will remain in gaol. The Builders’ Labourers’ Upion, which is on strike, has withdrawn from the United Labour Party. In consequence, the union’s delegate, Mr E. Kennedy, resigned his position as president of the district council. The way the officers, seamen, firemen and other members of the crew of the Athenic stood by their ship and facilitated the despatch of dairy produce to Lodon is to be fittingly marked by the New Zealand exporters. Every man on arrival in London will be given a fat lamb or, if he wishes it, its equivalent in money. This decision was arrived at on Friday, and will express in a tangible way recognition of the loyal service of the Athenic’s complement. RED FED. STORY REFUTED. Wellington, Last Night. The Employers’ Defence Committee is cabling Mr W. M. Hughes, M.P., at Sydney, as follows This committee, representing a very large section of the general community, believing that you must be unaware of the actual position in New Zealand, desires to inform you that arbitration by Sir Joshua Williams was refused by the president of the Federation of Labour when a compromise was possible. Serious rioting subsequently took place, and continued till put down by the addition of special mounted and foot constables to the permanent police force. Inflammatory speeches by the Federation of Labour leaders indicated the impossibility of a settlement by compromise. At a conference, with the Prime Minister in the chair, the employers demanded registration under the Arbitration Act, which was refused by the Federation delegates. The employers then asked the Federation delegates to offer the next best thing, providing for an independent tribunal, without securing any response. At the same conference the employers also offered to submit the question to a secret ballot of the Waterside Workers’ Union, but this also was refused. The only proposal made by the Federation delegates was to accept a money penalty previously offered by the ship-owners and refused by the Watersiders’ Union, and which has since been found by both sides to be impossible of enforcement. All attempts at arbitration having failed, new Watersiders’ and Drivers’ Unions, registered under the Arbitration Act, were formed. The former has now a membership of 1600, and the latter 250. The whole wharf and cartage work is now being done by arbitration unionists. There is, therefore, no reason for Australian unionists to refuse to handle New Zealand cargoes. The employers aro definitely committed to support and protect the now unions, wnieh are efficiently carrying out the work of the principal Dominion ports, and as their registration fulfils the only condition required by the employers, there is now nothing left to arbitrate upon, and therefore nothing left to submit to Sir Joshua Williams or any other arbitrator. Finally, as the existence : of the Federation of Labour is, in the opinion of a very large section of the public, a menace, not only to the business interests of the Dominion, but to the security of the whole community, it is impossible for the employers to recognise it in any shape or form. The Employers’ Defence Committee hopes this explanation will satisfy you that the only course possible has been adopted, and requests that you should have its communication published in the principal papers in the Commonwealth for general information. (Signed) W. G. Foster, chairman.”

LATEST FROM WELLINGTON. Wellington, This Day. The enrolment of members of the Wharf Labourers’ Union was very brisk this morning. All the labour available was engaged, approximately 1200 men being at work. Tn addition to this number, 200 men belonging to tlic union are away at sea. Altogether 18 vessels are working. 'Duo New Zealand Shipping Company’s steamer Opawa, whose departure was held up yesterday morning through 1.5 of her firemen not appearing aboard, sails immediately. The men were all arrested and placed aboard, after appearing before tho Magistrate, who fixnd the alternative at 15 days’ imprisonment. AUCKLAND SMILING AGAIN. Auckland, Last Night. To all outward appoaranoo the dislocation of labour supply that has been felt in the city is becoming less and less acute each day. As a result of throe weoks’ activity on the waterfront the congestion has been completely relieved, and normal conditions have boon re-established, The tally during that period is 54,000

tans of inward and outward cargo, while 33 oversea vessels have been handled, in addition to 30 coastal steamers of all classes, which are working regularly.

PROGRESS AT DUNEDIN. Dunedin, Last Night. , The Dorset, from Lyttelton, and the Turakina, from Timaru, arrived today, and the work of unloading will be commenced to-morrow. Over 100 men are ready to commence work. The discharge of the Taviuni was coinpletedyesterday. The Kotare got a Qrevv and sailed for the south last evening. Members of the Strike Committee, who were arrested yesterday, were brought bfore the Court in the afternoon and remanded till Monday, bail being refused.

Arthur Tuffen, a strike picket, was charged yesterday with using obscene language and also with using insulting language in a public place. Accused was remanded till Tuesday, bail being allowed in own recognisance of £SO and one surety of £SO. Christchurch, Last Night. Everything is going on very smoothly in town. A great deal of good work has been accomplished by members of the new Drivers’ Union, which is in a flourishing state. A meeting of drivers and others interested was in the Socialists’ Hall this morning. Seen by a reporter, Air Hiram Hunter said that the meeting was simply called to talk over matters connected with the strike, and that no decisions were arrived at. “On Monday night,” said Mr Hunter, “we are going to hold a monster meeting of drivers and other unionists to definitely decide what further action we will take with regard to the strike.” “Will the question of calling it off be-considered?” asked the reporter. “Certainly not,” was the reply ; “there is absolutely no intention of doing that. In fact, it is more likely that it will be extended. I am pleased to say that the majority of the men are splendidly loyal and solid for their organisation.”

Work proceeded at Lyttelton as previously.

THE BLAZE ABROAD.

GREAT .MEETING IN SYDNEY

RESULT NOT DISCLOSED. Sydney, Last Night. One of the most representative gatherings held in Sydney for many years met yesterday at the headquarters of the Seamen’s Union to discuss the position on the waterfront. Among those represented were the Federated Seamen’s Union of Australasia ; the Waterside Workers; Federation of Coal Lumpers’ Union; the Northern and Southern Colliery Employees’ Unions,; the Australasian Society of Engineers; the Federated Furniture Trade Unions; the Australasian Workers’ Union; the Amalgamated Railway and Tramway Servants’ Union; the Railway AYorkers and General Labourers’ Association; tho Merchants’ Service Guild of Australasia : and the Australasian Federation of Labour. The meeting commenced at 11 a.m. Air W. M. Hughes, late Federal Attorney-Gen-eral. was president. The proceedings were conducted with the greatest secrecy, and tho meeting adjourned at 6 p.m. until Monday morning, when the Seamen’s Union will also meet.

The Aorangi got away this afternoon with a scratch crew. The Aorangi’s crew refused to take the vessel out. It is stated that they thus commit a breach of the agreement. Tha Ulimaroa is tied up awaiting the result of the conference of the Seamen’s Union to-morrow regarding their attitude to this vessel. Tt is understood that if the crew finally refuse to man her, no attempt will be made to raise a scratch crew.

Apparently there are two parties among the unionists. One party considers it advisable to confine the embargo to the Union Company at present, while the other contends that tho shipping companies are so bound together that to allow any vessel to trade to New Zealand would indirectly assist the Union Company. The AVaipori arrived from Newcastle on Saturday and Hawke’s Bay for coal. The coal trimmers boycotted the vessel, hut she is expected to get away early on Tuesday short loaded. Mr Campbell, general secretary of the New South AVales Farmers’ and Settlers’ Association, has received the following cablegram from Aft- Jack, secretary of the Farmers’ Union, Wellington : “Can your association approach the Government and urge tho importance of maintaining steamer connection with New Zealand by guaranteeing protection to workers loading cargo?” Mr Holman, tho State Premier, being absent, the cable message was submitted to Mr Cann (the Treasurer), who said: “The position is very much iu the nature of a problem, particularly at present. ,All I can say is that we, as a Government, aro sworn to maintain the law as occasion arises, and wo shall certainly do our best in that direction.”

200,000 MEN REPRESENTED. (Received this day at 9.40 a.m.) Sydney, This Day. Tho great Unionist Conference on Saturday, of which details were cabled yesterday, represented 200,000 workers. Mr Parry was present representing tho New Zealand Fedoraion of Labour. Mr Starr represented tho seamen of New Zealand. 'Hie conference will be resumed at ten o’clock this morning. The Employers’ Defend' Committee at Wellington has cabled Mr Hughes a lengthy explanation of their attitude. ANGRY WITH LARKIN. London, Lost Night. Tho executive of the National Transport Workers’ Union has passed a resolution resenting Mr Larkin’s unwarranted attack on the leaders. Tho executive has pledger! itself to continue to support the Dublin workers. Tho officers of Liberty Hall permitted the unionists to help unload tho cargo, on the ground that the grievances are against the owners; but the free labourers threatened to strike if unionists wore employed, and tho latter were withdrawn. . Pietermaritzburg, Lnst Night. Lieutenant Colonel Sir Duncan

Mackenzie was prosecuted for forcing Indians to work throughout Sundays, for supplying them with short rations, and for flogging them with the slightest provocation. The magistrate rejected the evidence of six of the complainants and their witnesses. There was prevarication in all the material points. The evidence showed that Sir Duncan Alackonzie supplied batter food than was prescribed by the Statute, and tho work on Sundays was confined to milking tho cows.

THE WAR IN AFRICA, x Capetown, Last Night. Affidavits arq being filed at Pietermaritzburg, charging a white man with forcing open Indians’ premises after they had refused to work. He flogged them with sjamboks and sticks till five were unconscious. He is being kept in closest custody. The Englishman denies the charges. Calcutta, Last Night. Sirendrauth Banerji received a bomb letter, warning him to sever his connection with the Viceroy's Council. Threats also were sent to Bliupen and Kanathba, two Indian High Court judges. These are the first instances of attempted intimidation of Indians by means of explosive letters.