LITTLE PROSPECT OF EARLY END TO WAIKATO STRIKE

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 March 1948, Page 3

LITTLE PROSPECT OF EARLY END TO WAIKATO STRIKE

(P.A.) AUCKLAND, March 14. Prospects are not bright for an early settlement of the Mangakino strike. A union meeting is expected to be held in the next few days, when an attempt may be made to secure another secret ballot on the strike issue.

The official attitude to the workers’ demands suggests preparation for a fairly lengthy cessation of work, if necessary as resistance to the strikers. However, new developments may come from Wellington, as the strikers’ case is being handled there by the New Zealand Workers’ Union, and the engineers are leaving the Professional Engineers’ Association to express their attitude. The strikers consist of about 30 State Hydro-electric Department employees, and 850 men of the Public Works Department. Others in idleness are more than 50 lorry-drivers, who are riot members of the Workers’ Union or parties to the strike, but who have been made idle. About 100 members of the camp staff arc still performing essential duties. Other sections outside the Workers’ Union are still employed. About 100 men are engaged in building construction in the township, private caterers are still providing meals for the men on a cash basis, and there are official personnel such as post office staff, school teachers, and the police. ■ .