THE WATERSIDE TROUBLE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16359, 23 February 1921, Page 8

THE WATERSIDE TROUBLE.

MEN IDLE IN DUNEDIN. [Pbr Press Association.] DUNEDIN, February 23Two hundred and seventy men are idle on the waterfront to-day. The Sealda is the only boat working. It is stated that the majority of the watersidors are against the Federation in its present tactics. LETTER TC “DIGGER” FRUITGROWERS. (Special to the “ Star.”) WELLINGTON, February 23. There are no developments in tne waterside trouble. At the port operations are gradually coining to a, standstill. The Waterside Federation has sent the following to the Returned Soldiers’ Association (Nelson), in response to their appeal to play the game with the fruitgrowing “Diggers”:— “The watersiders are not letting tho ‘ Diggers ’ down. They are prepared to discharge your fruit from the Nelson boats, and loud it on the Hororata or any other vessel. The employers have refused to engage watersiders to handle your produce. We guarantee that men will load your fruit if employers will engage them. Letter following. Forward this to the Motueka ‘ Diggers.’ Roberts, secretary Waterside Workers’ Federation.” NO STATEMENT MADE. TPer Press Association.] WELLINGTON, February 23. The Somerset and Durham have completed loading, thus throwing many more watersiders out of employment. Probably about 300 watersiders are now engaged. Seventeen vessels are idle. The Moana will return to Sydney without discharging her cargo. 'l’he officials of the Watersiders’ Federation still decline to make any state ment. POSITION IN AUCKLAND. [Pxn Press Association.] AUCKLAND, February 23. As an outcome of the waterside deadlock several city firms gave their carters notice. Curtailment of the gas supply began to-day. The departure of the Navuu for the Western Pacific was postponed till Friday. FARMERS* ATTITUDE. LYTTELTON MEN THANKED. The waterside workers* dispute was referred to at this afternoon’s meeting oi the executive of tho North Canterbury Fanners’ Union. Mr D- Bates said that without taking sides for capital or labour, farmers should, consider the threatened industrial crisis- Whatever happened farmers would have to pay the piper. They should take a strong position to see that their produce was shipped. A remedy was only possible by strong legislative measures, but their legislators would do nothing much in advance ot strong public opinion. He moved that the matter of the present industrial crisis on tho waterfront be red to the various branches of the union for consideration and report, the iorm of the reference to be left in the hands of the executive. Mr W. A. Banks said that the Lyttelton men had kept at work and at overtime. Mr W. Mulholfand: When they can get trucks. I think we should pass a motion of appreciation and thanks to tho Lvttelton -watersiders. We __ have given them kicks on former occasions. Other members spoke appreciatively of the Lyttelton watersiders, and a motion of thanks to them was agreed to. Mr Bates’s motion was considered in committee and approved.