POSITION IN CHRISTCHURCH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10915, 3 November 1913, Page 5

POSITION IN CHRISTCHURCH.

• MARKING TIME. FREE LABOUR SUPPLY. " In view of the news received on Sunday that a conference was to be held in Wellington, the position so far aa • the city is concerned is t one of wait- • ing, and there is very little information available either from the Trades Hail or the Canterbury Employers' Association. It is generally admitted that so far as the two r-ides in : Christchurch are concerned, both have : girded up their loins, and are ready - if events warrant it to enter into the conflict that is anticipated if any attempt is made to use free labour in Lyttelton. The absence of shipping, in " the Port renders the use of free labour in Lyttelton unnecessary, but it _is stated that the supply for the working cf the Port is ample. PICKETS IN CASHED STREET. This mc-rning a picket was placed in Cashel Street outside the Employers' Association rooms, but it seemed to be there for observation purposes alone. No one going up to the rooms was interfered with, and the "len stood on the sidewalk quietly talking among themselves, but they were subjects of interest to people walking in the streets; The supply of free labour enrolled by the Association is said to be ample for its needs, but the employers' organisation has taken up the position that the Lyttelton men have come out merely in a spirit of loyalty, and that therefore there would be no attempt to precipitate trouble in the Port. The committee of the Employers' Association met this morning to consider news it had received from Wellington. ■ SPECIAL CONSTABLES. NONE ENROLLED. BUT PLENTY READY. No special constables have been sworn in for duty in Christchurch or Lyttelton yet, the police so far having taken no action other than to place the Lyttelton force on its normal staffing. There are, however, in Christchurch a large number of men ready to be enrolled and sworn in as soon as they are called on. The supply is said to be ample for the work, and the enrolment of them could bo accomplished prompt- • ly on a summons being received. Most of them are drawn from the city, and of thes are drawn from the ctiy, and applicants from .the country for work