AT PORT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10925, 14 November 1913, Page 7

AT PORT.

SUGGESTION TURNED DOWN. STRIKERS ASKED TO START WORK. A statement "was current in Lyttelton last night to the effect that during the day the local Waterside Workers' Union Strike Committee had been approached by _ Mr J. Wat-kins, local marine .superintendent of the Union Steam Ship Company, and Mr J. Garrard, branch manager for Messrs Kin-,-roy and Co., Ltd., with a view to endeavouring to bring the present crisis in the port to a satisfactory conclusion, but their mission had not been entirely successful. The two gentlemen mentioned were waited upon last night by a representative of the " Lyttelton Times," and in answer to a question they admitted that they had been in communication with the Lyttelton Waterside Workers' Union, but as the meeting was a purely private one, and, further, as they had not met the men as representatives, of the employers, they preferred not to make any statements whatever concerning their mission. From inquiries made from other soiiiTC" it was learr.ed that Me.-v,rs Wa thins and Garrard had approached the committee with the of niacin:! certain facts before the men as a Vi'holo, but f-:o Hcrikc Coimuiti.ee was unvvilinp; to aeeedo to tins reouost until it \\v.d heard what was intended to be laid oefore the Union. h was subsequently deciikd to agree to iiio latter course being taken. It is understood that the two o;ontloic.cn gave the committee to understand that they were present in their private

capacity and were on friendly terms with the men. They sympathised with the Union in tho present crisis, and knowing that preparations were being made in Canterbury to keep Lyttelton open to goods traffic, it was urged that the men should commence work. It was also pointed out that if the matter was delayed too long tho new Union would most probably be m full swing and that their places would be filled by other men. It was suggested thai, as the two gentlemen wore m close contact daily'with the men they were strongly of opinion that the majority of tho men desired to go back to work, even if under the Arbitration Act, and as the rules of the Lyttelton Waterside Workers' Union provided that the majority shall rule, it was suggested that a secret ballot should be taken to test tho feelings of members. It is understood that the Strike Committee s answer was that owing to thostrikebeing a genoral one, and not sectionalj it was not possible for the local committee to take any action without instructions from the executive of the Federation of Labour. It was also pointed out that it would be unconstitutional to tako a ballot on tho matter. MEETING OF WOMEN. SYMPATHETIC RESOLUTIONS. A meeting of women was held at the Oddfellows' Hall, Lyttelton, yesterday afternoon. Mr J. Flood presided, and addresses were given by Mesdames J. M'Oombs and Wells. The following resolutions were carried:— "That this meeting of women learns with deep sorrow of the illness of Mi H. Holland, editor of tho 'Maoriland Worker,' and feels that his incarceration is endangering a most valuable life, and demands his instant release." " That this meeting of Lyttelton women expresses its sincerest sympathy with the Labour leaders who have been arrested and imprisoned in Wellington. It believes that the newspaper Press of the colony has in many instances been equally guilty of seditious incitement. ' STRIKE COMMITTEE'S MANIFESTO. The following ■manifesto was handed to a reporter yesterday by the Press Committee of the Lyttelton Waterside Workers' Union: — "The meeting was opened- in the usual way by calling tho roll, a full attendance of members being present. The Strike Committee then adjourned and a considerable amount of routine business was transacted. A deputation was received from Port Chalmers and it was stated that the waterside workers in that port were very solid. The Manuka and Pateena arrived, but no cargo was landed. We have also to report that Messrs Hunter, Wilson and Stringer addressed the members on strike matters and were patiently listened to. Harmony was afterwards indulged in. A telegram was received from Auckland stating that everyone was solid."