THE TIMARU TROUBLE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10770, 16 May 1913, Page 1

THE TIMARU TROUBLE.

ACTION IN DTJNEDIN. NEARLY A STRIKE. [Per Press Association.] TIMARU, May 15. The port was quiet to-day. Mr P. C. "Webb, of the Federation of Labour, came from Christchurch to-day and interviewed some of the heads of houses concerned in the shipping strike. No arrangement having been made by the Citizens' Committee for such n contingency, those spoken to as individuals had no authority to promise a conference. The Kia Oraj for meat and produce, is expected to-morrow, and, the line to be taken by the watersiders will be awaited with interest, but without anxiety, as double the number of men required can be got outside, of the union. DUNEDIN, May 15. The local Waterside Workers' Union put up a notice this morning at the wharf saying that no union member was to engage for work on the steamer John until further notice. The secretary sfcgtsH that the , men had ..decided to put up a notice pending instruct tions from the Federation of Labour headquarters. Th e John was loaded at Timaru by five nriiouists and two non-unionists. The union men asked that the free labourers should be discharged, and at this one left of his own accord, but the other was kept on, and the unionists left the ship, loading being completed with free labour. This afternoon the Federation's regime to hand and the agent for the John was informed that the vessel would be discharged as usual. In the meantime the John put into Oamaru owing to stress of weather, but the local agents have made arrangements to work the cargo with their permanent staff. What appeared to be an unpleasant incident has happily been averted.