IN THE CITY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10926, 15 November 1913, Page 7

IN THE CITY.

AWAITING DEVELOPMENTS. A VEILED THREAT. In the city to-day tho general attitude was ono of anticipation. The statements that the coming week would probably see special constables and free labourers iu Christchurch and Lyttelton hnvo aroused attention, but the public seemed quite willing to await the arrival of Monday with patience, as in the meantime the races would bo finished and sufficient unto the day are the thrills thereof. Surprise was expressed in some quarters at tile request, made by tho Employers' Association, that the waterside workers at Lyttelton should come under the Arbitration Act when it was well known that the Lyttelton Union was practically tho only organisation of the kind which never had registered under tho Act. Adverse comment was made of the attitude taken tip by the employers in this particular, it being contended that if the Union preferred—as it has preferred for many years—to remain under the Trade Unions Act it should not bo asked, bv means of a veiled threat, to desect that Act

at the bidding of tho employers and register under some otlfcr measure more acceptable, perhaps, to the employers but not to the men themselves. STRIKE COMMITTEE. MANY OFFERS"OF SUPPORT. At a meeting of the Strike Committee held on Thursday night, letters were received from a large number or unions, many registered under tho Arbitration Act, promising moral and financial support, and adding that donations bad been, or would be, made at once. . , . A deputation was appointed to wait on tho City Council at its next meetting to discuss the proposed introduction of free labour and special constables into Christchurch and Lyttelton. . . . , The following resolution was carried —"That we emphatically protest against the latest insolent attack on the strikers by incarcerating the prominent men in this deplorable struggle for the rights of true unionism, and we demand the instant release of the men who havo been arrested under an obsolete law which, along with tyrants, should have been expunged long ago." FABIAN SOCIETY'S ATTITUDE. SYMPATHY FOR THE WORKERS. At a meeting of the Strike Committee on Thursday night, a letter was received from the Fabian Society regarding the present industrial crisis. The letter stated that " judging from the attitude of the employers, we are forced to the conclusion that their aim is to suppress the workers' organisation and so, by means of reducing them to submission through starvation, compel them to accept conditions which may be unfair and arbitrary. And we are of opinion that the worker is entitled to organise so that he may secure fairer conditions of labour. Wo are in hearty sympathy with the employees in the present struggle, and desire to tender to them our moral and financial supTlio letter enclosed a donation of "£7 5s to the strike funds. A FEELING OF DEPRESSION. OPINIONS OF BUSINESS FIRMS. When the question "How has business been this week?" was put to the managers of several business firms in the city this morning by a " Star' representative, the opinions expressed in reply were very varied. Some reported excellent sales, while others said they had experienced the reverse. The etnko was the chief reason given for the slackness of business, and in every case the holding up of goods by steamers in Wellington was a cause for anxiety. "A general feeling of depression were the words of two, and similar expressions were made by others. Some firms, though, had not felt the pinch just yet, but unless the end of tho i strike comes very, soon, business in the city generally will be seriously menaced. Carnival week has always been characterised by increased trade in .tho I city, but this year it was just about 1 normal. Tho beginning of the week had been slack, but the last two or three days had been quite as good as last year, was the verdict of the first establish ment visited, a firm of booksellers and stationers. The non-arrival of goods was tho chief difficultyj and tho result was that Christmas goods which shouid now bo on sale were lying idle in Wellington harbour. At this time of the year country people visiting Christchurch usually mado it a practice of purchasing' the" Christmas 'wares, but now they would, either havo to do so at a later period or else not at all. A firm of ironmongers reported a great slackening off in their lines. Casual business was just about the, same as usual, but ordinary trade had fallen away considerably. Stock was getting shorter and shorter, and many customers had to be turned away since tho goods were not on hand wherewith to supply. " Carnival week last year was a record, and this week is going to be quite as good in spite of the many draw» backs," stated the manager of a largo drapery establishment. He went on to say that the feeling of depression was beginning to be felt, although from appearances one would imagine that there was very little trouble about, judging by the holiday manner of the majority of people in the city. Sugar was the only commodity that was at all scarce in a large grocery establishment, and supplies of that had been secured from invercargill, although that meant an increase in price due to freights and other extra expenses. The business for Carnival week here was fair, and would come out just about as good as last year. The manager of one large jewellery firm said that the business for the week had been very bad, which was most unusual, and would be considerably below the takings of last year. Thestrike principally was th» reason. There were three shipments of new goods lying in Wellington and were not available. As a rule tho business at this time of the year is fairly brisk, but this week has been quite changed in that respect. The public was not in tho mood for spending money on jewellery, particularly the farming community, who were not too sure of the result of the returns from the produce. TO-DAY'S MANIFESTO. A STRAIGHiTeFT OR TWO. STRIKERS GIVE THANKS. The following manifesto was handed to a reporter by tho Press Committee of the Lyttelton Waterside Workers' Union this afternoon. "From the Strike Committee. "We have to report that a full meeting of the Union was held this morning, there being a full attendance of members. The employers' ultimatum was read to the members, and we thank them for their advice, but our advisers are our executive, and we decline to have any other advice. We are solid to a man on the'question involved. We havo also to report from Wellington and Auckland of the complete solidarity of the men at those ports. We have also to report that a shipment of cattle is being landed by tho Petone from Napier. We have also to thank Mr 0 Buschett, the owner of a fishing cutter, for his kind gift of twelve large groper to bo cut up for the strikers. " We also wish to draw attention to tho leading article in to-day's Press (a paragraph appears in that article reading thus: 'We do not see why in this democratic country any union should bo under the thumb of a so-called executive in Wellington.'). "We (the Strike Committee) also wonder why the farmers and the employers of Christchurch should bo under the thumb of tho shipping companies and the Massey Government. We wish to report that members of the Semen's and Firemen's Union are staunch and loyal to the waterside workers. Wo wish to draw the attention of tho public to the fact that the so-called seamen and firemen now working tho ships are incompetent and a danger to tho public safety. NOTICE TO QUIT. "We wish to report that wo re- I ceived notice from tho Lyttelton

Harbour Board at ono o'clock today to leave the Coronation Hall by o p.m. on Monday, November 17, and we are removing our effects. There is nothing elso to report to-day, and we are busy flitting." A DELICATE POSITION. MR WEBB ON AN ARBITRATIONIST SHIP. Since the Pateena and the Mapourika commenced linking up the ferry service the certificated crow of masters, officers and engineers have been subjected to a good deal of " barrack," and many strikers have looked upon the vessels as "scab ships." Last night, however, the officers had an opportunity to " get ono back," as they termed it, and, according to reports, they enjoyed the joke immensely. It appears that amongst the passengers who booked in Wellington yesterday for Lyttelton were several members of the Legislative Council and the Lower House. From the latter quarter was Mr P. 0. Webb, M.P., a very prominent memher of the Federation of Labour, and the officers expressed surprise when they saw the member coming on board the "scab ship." A whisper vent round that the "certificated" crew intended to stick the vessel up as a protest against the representative's action, and there were others who thought it was the occasion to hold a rally. The rumour gained currency amongst the staff of the Union Company in Wellington, and, it is stated, a prominent member of the company immediately rushed on board and interviewed the crew in order to act as mediator in the matter and smooth over the trouble. It was soon learned, however, that the crew were having a good joke at Mr Webb's expense. "It shows," remarked a member of the crew today, " that it really doesn't matter much what organisation you belong to. because they will travel"just the same.' NOTES. This morning the Strike Committee received an offer of sixty 41b loaves of bread weekly, to be delivered at any point required. A lady in comfortable circumstances has informed the committee that she has a large supply of clothes which will be available for the strikers' wives and children should they need them. Offers to billet the strikers' children continue to come in, and now exceed the number of children concerned. No steps will be taken in the matter for-, a day or two, the strikers evidently preferring to await developments before letting their children go away. Preparations for establishing a strike camp have been completed, but nothing will be done for a day or two. _ This morning a telegram was received in Christchurch from Invercargill, signed by the president and secretary of the Timber Workers' "Federation. It expressed pleasure at the solidarity of the northern unions, and added that a meeting of all unionists had been called for to-night to consider the position. The Plasterers' Union has donated £lO 10s to the strike funds. The Flour Millers' Association have donated 120 501b bags of flour to the members of the Railway Casual Wharf Labourers' Union. This is in response to an .appeal.which was made a short timo ago. , The Lyttelton Strike Committee has received from the executive of the Federation of Labour in Wellington the following . telegram:—"Wire from I Auckland, special meeting to-day, 500 I seamon present, following resolution passed that Auckland_ branch conveys deepest sympathy with tho loss of your leader at this critical time of ',ho strike, and wishes him a speedy tv.l»mc. Auckland boys solid to a man. Show this to seamen." PROCESSION". - The strikers have arranged to hold a procession to-night. They will form, up opposite the railway station, with sympathisers and others, and march through the city to Victoria Square, where addresses will be delivered- on the prosent trouble. The procession will leave the railway station at 7.45 p.m., and, in all probability, will be headed by a band.