THE KAIAPOI FACTORY STRIKE.

Otago Witness, Issue 1971, 14 November 1889, Page 15

THE KAIAPOI F ACTORY STRIKE.

Chhistchdbch, November 11. There are now 407 employes of the Kaiapoi Clothing Factory out on strike, the weekly wages hands having left off on Saturday, only 10 remaining in. The first strike pay was issued to-day. About 40 new hands accepted employment to-day. These and others remaining at work were hooted by immense crowds on leaving the factory this morning and evening. Seven more are likely to leave, leaviDg only three of the original hands. November 12. Of the remaining 50 hands in the employ of the Kaiapoi Clothing Factory only seven or eight have declined to join the union. With these exceptions, those at work now have given a week's notice. It ia probable the directors will close the factory in a few days.

Time was when only the very rich could own watches. In the days when our great grandfathers were carried about in 'sedan chairs, and onr great grandmothers played the harp — when my lord used an elegant gold snuff box, and my lady. wore, a chiffonierea.yard high—watches were elegant toys, and encrusted with jewels and beautified with every conceivable device of cunning and ingenuity— and precious poor timekeepers they were. Even in the days. of our grandfathers watches were comparatively rare. George Law, and other millionaires, used to look back with pride to the days they were able to buy their first' watches, and well they might, for a good watcli in those days was a matter of £30 or 50. ., But now, anybody can own and carry a watch. They are as plenty as blackberries. The schoolboy, the shop girl, even the hod carrier, each and all can afford a good timepiece. THE BNTEBIHG WEDGE, . What has brought all this about? Some years ago the community was startled by the advent of a new watoh at a very low price ; so low that people thought it was a toy or plaything. At first it was ridiculed— and, indeed, almost ever since fun has been made of the Watebbuby. But, in spite of all this, owing to its timekeeping qualities, ifc has steadily grown in favour, and the demand for it constantly increased. It marked an epoch in watch history. It was long maintained that retail watoh dealers would not touch it ; but to-day they are its best friends, Ifc meets a want, and is bound to go. It is curious how little faith many people had in the Watebbtjby, and yet how it has belied their fears. It has been laughed at as a toy ; bit its sale all over the world proclaims it a real watch. "I TOLD YOU SO." But now"comes the strangest part of it. The Watebbuby has just put on the market a new watch— viz,, " Series J." Short-wind, stem-set, jewelled bearing, enamelled dial, with second hand. Many in the trade, as usual, are ready with their silly fears, predicting the injury to the sale of higher priced '' watches. Why can they not see that the Watebbuby, by putting a good timekeeper within the reach of those ,who never owned or carried a watch," has in the end helped the sale of higher-priced watches, and created a demand in a quarter where it never existed bef ere, just as the circulation of illustrated magazines and periodicals makes a demand for higher forms of art. The Watebbuby Watch Co. are also out with a new lady's watch, the first really good lady's watch that has ever been offered at a low price, small and convenient in size, dainty in appearance, and made with the same wonderful care, organisation, and machinery that has made the success of their other' watches. This completes the trio— Series B, Series J, and Series L. • . 3