THE LATE STRIKE.

Waikato Argus, Volume XXXV, Issue 5508, 14 January 1914, Page 2

THE LATE STRIKE.

The news that the strike had ended was received with relief and jubilation. Regret is expressed at the possibility of the departure of many old residents, who either will not apply for admission to the new union or who know that their application will not be favourably considered. A somewhat exciting episode occurred yesterday atfernoon as the workers, escorted by the mounted police, were proceeding homeward. Stepping from his place in the ranks, the president of the new union, Mr S. Dixon, entered the Miners' Union oliice and gave his predecessor, Mr Wood, notice to vacate the building, which in future would be required as the headquarters of the new organisation. Mr Wood and those with him refused to leave, and it is expected that the question of the ownership of the office, the Miners' Hall, and the doctor's residence may give rise to litigation. There was another rush of applicants for membership of the new union last night. It is an open secret that though additions to the membership are greatly desired, the right of discrimination will be rigidly exeicised.

secret that though additions to the membership are greatly desired, the right of discrimination will be rigidly exeicised. The strike has had a very marked effect on business generally, and it is safe to say that everyone has more or less experienced its influence. Nearly £20,000 have been lost in wages by the workers, and a similar sum by the Railway Department owing to lack of coal freights. It is expected that the police at present in the town will be gradually reduced. While working in the Extended mine at Huntly on Tuesday a middleaged miner named Peter Brown received a nasty scalp wound from a fall of coal. The wound required four stitches, which were inserted by Dr. MacDiarmid, senr.

A DASTARDLY ASSAULT. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Dunedin, Wednesday. J. Wren, an arbitrationist, was engaged in chipping the inside of the hold of the steamer Kaimoua when a chipping hammer whizzed past and fell at his feet. A few minutes later a second hammer came from the same with better aim and struck him on the head, inllicting a nasty scalp wound, necessitating several stitches. Inquiry was immediately made amongst those working in the hold, but all denied any knowledge of the affair. They were, however, at once dismissed, and the police are investigating the matter. RUFFIANISM IN CANTERBURY. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Christchurch, Wednesday. What seems to be quite a little outbreak of ruffianism has been reported in the city. There has been a brutal assault in Armagh street by three men on one man, who had been a special constable. On the men being disturbed by another coming out of the boardinghouse the assault ceased, and one of the assailants asked if he could come in and get his hat. He was given permission to do so, and as he rose up after stooping for the hat, and without the slightest warning, he struck the man who had given him permission to enter and knocked him down. There were other assaults on Friday night, and on Saturday. In each instance, a single wayfarer has been set upon by three persons, and most despicable tactics employeld. As an outcome of one such assault some little time ago, the victim was obliged to undergo a very serious operation, and that a like result has not followed any of the recent cases is no fault of the assailants, for it is by the merest chance that the kicks they gave did not have the same result.

It is repotted that some people are resorting to carrying revolvers for their protection, and, if this is so, a tragedy might easily occur in the near future. The police are taking every possible means of coping with the outbreak. ARBITRATION UNIONS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Wednesday. The registrar of industrial unions has granted registration to the following:—The Blackball Coalminers' Union, the Westport Waterside Workers' Union, and the Wellington United Storenien's Union (exclusive of retail soft goods and groceiies). The last-named is merely the Storemen's Union under a new title. Wellington, Wednesday. The executive of the Wharf Labourers' Union will probably come to a decision today as to what attitude it will take up regarding the two requisitions received from exstrikers, who are members of the union, asking for a special meeting of the union to be called for Saturday. One of the requisitions asks that the meeting shall consider proposals that three members of the union be appointed to take charge of the union books, and subject them to a thorough investigation, and that pending such investigation the secretary be suspended, and two acting-secretaries tie appointed to hold office for such a period as the union ir a general meeting may t'.ecide. The executive states that it is anxious to abide by *the spiri'. in which the union was formed, and to carry out the rules of the union, and intended at any meetings to decide all questions by ballot. In a typewritten circular issued by the employers to the foremen it is enjoined that in cases of intimidation they shall immediately suspend the individual at fault, and report the matter to the head officer.

Regarding the matter of increased police supervision on the wharves, Mr R. Fletcher, chairman of the Harbour Board, states that in normal times it will not be necessary to increase the waterfront police. Very little trouble, or cargo pillaging, occurred in the ordinary course of events, and two policemen were sufficient to patrol the wharves.