ANOTHER BIG STRIKE THREATENED. (BY TELEGRAPH.) Wellington, October 17.

North Otago Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 7270, 19 October 1891, Page 3

ANOTHER BIG STRIKE THREATENED. (BY TELEGRAPH.) Wellington, October 17.

Delegates from the Bootmakers' Union in various parts of the colony held n meeting last night, which lasted till nearly six this morning. Nothing was arrived at, and a further meeting will be ht Id to-day. There is said to be a pro bability of a general strike of bootmakers ■11 orer the colony. The cause of difference between the bootmakers and employers is the new statement which has been drawn up, and it is eaid that the point on which they cannot agree is in regard to the clause which provides that the Board of Conciliation shall consist cf four repreaentntires from each side. Extreme reticence it observed in the matter, but it is understood that it is the men who take objection to the clause. The relations between the men and employers are said to be very strained, and a strike is thought to be imminent.

Wellington, October 18. The excitement occasioned yesterday as to the prospect of a bootmaker's strike was allayed towards evening, when Mr Hannah, one of the leading manufacturers, received a communication from the Employers' Association, nsking that any action in the matter be deferred for a week. This step has, of course, been | accepted, and it is thought that arrangements satisfactory to both employers and employees may be arrived at in the meantime. The fact of the Auckland employers having defeated the strikers there is understood to have led the employers in Dunedin, Christchurch and Wellington to have submitted to the men & fresh " statement" much on the samp terms as the old "statement " in existence before the conference, held some month* ago. Some dissatisfaction is expressed by the men with one or two clauses in this, but both sides hope to arrange matters satisfactorily. It had been intended to bring the new statement into force to-morrow morning, and had the men not agreed to it it is probable a lock-out would have been the result, but with the adjournment it is quite possible nothing more will be heard of it.

Christchukch, October 18. The bootmakers held meetings all day yesterday to determine their action, but pending the decision of other branches nothing definite was done. The operatives here are fatorable to a conference and to continue working on the old statement pending the decision of the conference of the combined delegates. The masters agree to a conference only on certain conditions.