LYTTELTON STRIKERS INTERVIEWED.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14823, 14 November 1913, Page 11

LYTTELTON STRIKERS INTERVIEWED.

PRIVATE OVERTURES FOR

SETTLEMENT.

SECRET BALLOT URGED,

'IT WOULD BE UNCONSTI-

TUTIONAL."

The reuresentatires of shipping companies at Lyttelton., who are brought in close contact • with tho waterside workers are convinced that tlie men havo never been unanimous in favour of the strike, and that tho majority would welcome a return to work. Knowing the men personally, they would be glad to ccc them back at work before outside laoour is. introduced to keep tho port open, which would mean that many of the regular watersiders would have no chance of getting employment again. Yesterday Messrs J. W. Watkinsand J. Gfcrrard, who are prominently associated with the shipping.work of the port, visited the Coronation Hall and had a conference, which lasted over an hour. There was considerable speculation regarding their mission. So information was supplied by the strikers Press Committee in their statement last evening, but a of "The Press" interviewed-Messrs Watkins and Garrard regarding the.matter. They stated that they deared to make it plain thai they had approached the men, merely in their private oanacities, and not as representing tbe shipping companies in aB /._ wa ?- ~.*? these circumstances, they did net,think it advisable that they should .make any statement regarding their mission* It is understood, however,. -that Messrs Watkins and Garrard 2™****s interviewed the Striko Committee and asked to be allowed to address the body of men present in the hall, and place certain facts before them. . The committee, however, were unwilling to pive permission without first hearing wnat UiiQV had to say. ■ • •

jitters WatrKius and Garraro. it u> uuuoiitoo"* oipi-uneu uiat t**m CrtjeciV cuUiieoMja witn m l*yV u-iujJ siuuj *■<**>, auu knowing tne cu>irvsn ami trouoie wnich tma reouiwxi iroiu tae ewiKo or that year, they coma tuiJy syiupatuiso with, the watersiders in their present troubles, into winch they had been drawn. On their own knowledge th«y could assure the committee tnat the most oomp-ote preparations had been made to start work in Lvttelion and keep the port open for trade. They pointed out that there was still a short time left before a new union would be started, and they strongly urged the men to take advantage °of the opportunity to resume work. If they delayed too long they would find' their places taken by strangers, and , would find, when too late, that they could not get back to their ordinary occupations. Tho speakers stated that being brought in daily contact with the men, they were strongly of opinion that the majority of thorn thought that .an immediate settlement should be made, even though it were under the Arbitration Act. The rnles of the present union set ont that the majority must rule, and Messrs Watkins and Garrard suggested that a secret ballot on the question of returninc to work should be- taken at once under absolutely impartial supervision.

It is understood that the Strike Oommrttco replied to the effect that the strike was not sectional, but general, and that they 0011 M wit, therefore, take any action "without from the Executive of tho Federation of Labour. It would be t unr»n«t.it,ntional" to tnko a secret ballot without the F:w»rt-ire.

Tho callers eTprew=ed regret' at this R ti+<"nenfc. b"t <:f ; 'J t.hnt they vrrro still wMlin.2. in their private ean*c;ties. to p/rnin -meet for further discussion of tin? o nest ion.