KING’S WHARF WORKED YESTERDAY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 3492, 18 November 1913, Page 6

KING’S WHARF WORKED YESTERDAY.

ALL MERRY AT AUCKLAND

STRIKERS STILL CONFIDENT. | [PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.] AUCKLAND, Nov. 17. Auckland has now entered upon the second week of the general strike. It was expected that this morning would witness a decided improvement in the number of men returning to work. Tlie strike leaders declare that they can easily hold out till Christmas, and are confident that by that time they will succeed in obtaining if not an actual win on the points at issue, at least a satisfactory compromise. A development of interest in connection with activities over the wharves to-day was the consummation of the decision to make use of the King’s wharf for the berthage of vessels, and thus help to relieve the congestion and proceed even more expeditiously than during the past week with the handling of sea-borne cargoes. Early this morning an additional body of specials was called upon for duty arid marched from the Drill Hall to the King’s wharf, where they will guard the entrance and patrol the surroundings. The position established there is the same as has existed for the last week. The Muritai, with general cargo from London, berthed on the northern side of the King’s wharf this morning, and a start will he made to discharge the cargo on Tuesday or Wednesday next. She is carrying a large shipment of superphosphates and this will he unloaded and distributed amongst farmers at che earliest possible moment. In addition, a number of small vessels also made use of the King’s wharf for berthage this morning. Operations generally on the wharves to-day were being continued with manifest briskness. There were a total number of 33 vessels of all descriptions occupying the berths at the wharves within the protected area, and work was in progress at all of them with three exceptions. Coal supplies were being taken in by the coasters from a hulk moored alongside, while the Ngatuka was still alongside the Opawa and the Rakarua was coaling the Talune. The Maheno was the only additional vessel to berth since Saturday and full gangs were working Iter cargo. Taking the Exhibition Executive at their word, a number more of tradesmen returnod to work this morning in order to prevent their places being filled. Several new hands also applied, and, as vacancies existed, they were put on. Throughout the day there has been a scene of greatly renewed activity, carts having been arriving with materials, exhibits, etc., and a staff of about 220 men having been busily engaged at their v u-ious • callings both inside and outside the several buildings. In addition, a '.staff of 30 men has been engaged, in finishing off works in “Wonderland Bark.” Despite great activity on the part of the strike pickets several more regular carters i ok over vehicles this morning. It is estimated that between 50 and 60 of them are now at work in addition to about 50 volunteer drivers. Knots of pickets and followers gathered outside many of the stables of the large firms in various parts of the city and suburbs this morning and essayed to dissuade the carters from returning to work. In some instances they were successful, hut in most cases the carters who had. come back adhered to their determination- and drove out for a day’s work under escort of permanent and special constables. • ' , The Master Builders’ Association has not made any move vet towards, a resumption of .work. It seems that they consider if unwise to,do so until they can be sure of full supplies of ! materials, and this they cannot be while the sawmills-are idle and while difficulties arise in obtaining delivery of goods from the steamers and elsewhere. The Chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board informed a reporter that a large number of the Board’s employees had returned to work this morning in response Id 'the’ call by

advertisement, and after to-night the Board would, according to its announcement, take the necessary steps to fill the positions where it was desired to resume operations. Dredging work had been restarted and, in the course of a day or two, the remainder of the Board’s works, other than one or two to be closed down, would be resumed.

The following figures show the estimated number of men working in the trades affected by the strike:—

Waterside workers 485 Hotel and restaurant employees 400 Exhibition workers ... 280 Harbor Board men 220 Carters 200 Carpenters ... 200 City Council employees 200 Aerated water workers 80 Joinery factories ... ... ... ... 80 Sail, tent, and cover makers ... 20 Total 2165

A majority of these men are strikers who have' repented. The waterside workers are members of the new Arbitration Union, and among them are a few members of the old union. Fully 300 men and girls are already at work in tlie hotels, and another hundred is allowed for restaurant waitresses. So completely lias the hotel strike broken down that 387 applications for work have been registered with the Licensed Victuallers’ Association, although requirements of Auckland hotels vary from 320 to 350. The name of the new' union of hotel employees is the Auckland Hotel Assistants’ Industrial Union. It is intended primarily for hotel workers without reference to restaurants, and application has been made for registration under the Arbitration Act. Realising the value of the organisation the Farmers’ Executive of the Auckland Provincial Farmers’ Union has discussed the advisability of a scheme whereby all farmers’ organisations in Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand may act together in case of dislocation of trade caused by industrial strife. _ -iii At a meeting of the executive held on Saturday it was decided to get into close touch with, all the farmers’ unions in Australia and Tasmania with a view to prevent any attempts to hold up boats from Australia to New Zealand or vice versa.

The secretary {Mr A. Schmitt) reported that steps had- already been taken in this direction and even now he was in communication with two important Australian Unions on the subject. Mr Schmitt explained that the idea of the scheme put forward was foi fanners’ unions and associations in tlie Southern Hemisphere to co-operate on a, large scale so that the primary industries "would be protected, and not left to the mercy of irresponsible agitators. Farmers were now' fully alive to the danger to the national interests of certain" labor organisations controlled by strike sympathisers and the scheme now put forward by bis executive would help to maintain national interests and circumvent threatened danger. Ho was sanguine that a complete organisation of farmers’ unions in Australasia would he the outcome of the present crisis.