POSITION AT AUCKLAND.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 1 November 1913, Page 5

POSITION AT AUCKLAND.

INTERESTING DEVELOPMENTS. STRIKE EXTENDS TO CARTERS. AUCKLAND, Last Night. There were further interesting developments on the wharf to-day, the trouble extending quite unexpectedly to the carters, who decided that members of the union should refuse to have anything to dot with goods that had been handled by free labour. Beyond this, it was decided that the unioG at present take no further action. This morning there was the usual procession of carters to the Northern Company's jetties, from whence about a dozen vessels in the coastal fleet were advertised to sail. To-day the vessels were-taking cargo, the seamen and attending to the loading. The carts, on arrival, were met by strong picket detachments, and in the rmajpirity of cases the vehicles were not allowed on the wharves at all.

When a driver did get through the pickets simply surrounded the vessel and pi'evailed on the seamen to refuse to handle the goods.

The result is that there is no coastal goods traffic, and boats leaving this evening f'otr coastal ports will take passengers and mails only. It is feared that the effect of this taction will lead to a general disorganisation in the carrying of trades, and a .shortening of hands in consequence is feared.. The behaviour of those on strike lias, sd far, been orderly. There have been no open overtures in the direction, of a settlement. Meetings are held daily in the Mayor's office, at the Harbour Board, and at the Farmers' Union office'. This morning the Chamber of Commerce Executive held a special meeting. - Sd far no attempt has been made to bring about a conference of the conflicting parties, nor has any practical scheme or suggested basis for a settlement been openly put forward.