“THE MOST OUTRAGEOUS THING.”

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3655, 16 October 1912, Page 5

“THE MOST OUTRAGEOUS THING.”

FEDERATION AND POSITION AT TAUPIRI. IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION PROMISED. [PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM] - WELLINGTON, Oct. 15. Air Webb (president of the Federation of Labor) speaking to a “Post’’ reporter re the position at Taupiri, said it was the riiost outrageous thing lie ever heard of in connection with "industrial unionism. The executive had been made the victims for the Union. They were being punished for what the Union did as a body. They merely acted according to orders. The matter would be dealt with at once by the Federation. A QUESTION IN THE HOUSE CAN THE GOVERNMENT TAKE ACTION ? [PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM] WELLINGTON. Oct. 15. In the House to-day Air RusseU asked tho Prime Alinister if the Government intended to take any action in connection with the dismissal of the executive of the Taupiri “Coal Miners’ Union reported this morning. This was, ho said, one of tho most important steps ever taken in this country. The action of the mine owners was calculated to bring to an imminent stage a matter which it was hoped could have been settled quietly. Air Massey, in reply, said the Government had not been communicated with nor consulted by those interested. He did not intend expressing an opinion at that stage, but had no objection to referring the matter to the law officers of the Crown.

SERIOUS POSITION IN AUCKLAND. OFFICIAL REPORT BY STRIKE COAIAIITTEE. [PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM] AUCKLAND, Oct. 15. The position in regard to the partial strike of general laborers remains much the same as it was yesterday. The majority c-f the 400 men who went cut a-s a- protest against the refusal of local bodies to take back the men who ceased work last Thursday are still out, there only being a few instances in which they have returned to work. Picketing was again indulged in extensively to-day, but apparently was attended by anything but encouraging results to the strikers. Alost of the men' working for local bodies appear to have been “waited upon” by parties of pickets, but in nearly every case the interview seems to have been futile. The methods ■adopted are quite peaceable, although decidedly annoying for the men upon whom they are practised. The pickets first of all, as a rule, try a little gentle suasion, and if this fails to ef-fect-the desired purpose, they content themselves with hurling the overworked epithets “scabs” and “traitors” at the workers.

The following official report was supplied to a reporter this morning by members of the strike committee of the General Laborers’ Union : “A mass meeting was held..of strikers in the Trades Hall yesterday afternoon, the hall being crowded by the men on strike.

“Groat enthusiasm prevailed, despite the press reports that only 100 laborers ceased work on Thursday last as a protest against the gaoling of AA’aihi strikers. “One hundred and twonty-fivo men are victimised as the result of ceasing work, and a large number were allowed to resume their ordinary occupation, proving that considerably over 100 took part in Thursday’s demonstration-

“The loaders of the meeting laid great stress on the advisability of maintaining order while engaged in picketing the various jobs.

“The strike, officials are well satisfied with the response to cease work, while (their mates are victimised.” The following manifesto was unanimously adopted by the meeting:— “As the outcome of the decision of the employers of Auckland to victimise the laborers in their employ who, at the request cf their organisation, took part iii the demonstration held cn Thursday, October 10, a< special meeting of the Union was held on Sunday morning, when it was decided to down tools until all men were reinstated. The decision was further unanimously endorsed by a mass meeting of workers in the following resolution : ‘This meeting of workers is determined to resent to the fullest the methods adopted by the. employers towards the working class.’ “The system of picketing is being conducted by squads of men under sergeants, who report to the Strike Committee, and on tin report of the various sergeants 896 men responded to the call to down tools, which conflicts with the statement issued in the dailypress giving-the number as 400. “Also, stewards were appointed as doorkeepers, so that none but general laborers were admitted to the mass meeting. The number attending the meeting was 689, which substantiates the- figures given by the pickets as to the actual number of strikers.”

As all local bodies were affected by the general laborers’ strike', the question arises of what should he done. The chairman of the Auckland Harbor Board (Air. J. H- Gunson) this afternoon remarked that the local bodies would, have to take action. It would bo foolish at tho present time to take anyliing hub united action. The position was undoubtedly serious, and it was necessary that representatives of all local bodies should meet to-mor-row’ or on Thursday to discuss what their united attitude should be.