TIMBER STRIKE

Hokitika Guardian, 10 March 1933, Page 5

TIMBER STRIKE

ON WEST COAST

OPPOSITION TO WAGE CUTS.

GREYMOUTH, March 10

The Wages ciispiue in the West Coast Annoer wili enter a new phase to-day, when, for perhaps the first time m the history of th©,. Westland ‘iiniver Workers', Union, strike action of a general character will begin. La,so evening an enthusiastic meeting of the Unionists at Xe fivinga was held, at which the President (Mr B. Topp)', and the Secretary (Mv.F. L. Turley) wtue present, It was pointed out by the vUrious speakers that every effort which the, Union could make to secure an agreed settlement of the wages issue had been exhausted, and that the employers had failed to meet them in the spirit which was required for (a mutual agreement. The meeting strongly supported the proposal to take such further action as was deemed essential to bring laibout an early settlement of the dispute.

Upon the completion .of work to-day the workers at the T'e Kinga mill, nunilvring between forty and fifty, will cease operations. This mill belongs to the United Sawmills, Ltd.. Early next week operations at a number of other jvwmills will cease unless, in the meantimle, a settlement of the wagcis question is arrived at between the parties. The Timber Workers’ Union lias &U along been prepared to enter into negotiations with the employers in order to secure an agreement, but the Executive have definite instructions from the Union members that any discussion ef terms shall proceed on the basis cf a minimum rate of 12s 8d per day.

There are vet hopes that the dispute may not prove to he one of very Ion? duration, in view of the efforts which certain employers are.making to secure a. mutual agreement, and which may presently have the desired effect.