THE LABOURERS' STRIKE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14825, 31 October 1911, Page 6

THE LABOURERS' STRIKE.

The arrangements made by the Drainage Board last night for a speedy conference between the three parties interested in the existing labour dispute should lead to a pacific settlement, provided that a mutually conciliatory spirit is displayed and no confusion is created as to the point at issue. The " subcontracting" system as far as it affects labour only is evidently not regarded by the Board as a vital principle, and it clearly expressed its readiness to exclude this from the operations of future contracts. As for existing contracts, it is not within the power of the Board to vary them, but the conference to be held this morning should not find it difficult to effect a practical conciliation between contractors and labourers on this point. It must be understood, however, that a working definition of the particular form of " sub-contracting" objected to will have to be drawn up. Many forms are inevitable, unavoidable and unobjectionable, and these cannot be overlooked in any agreement which has for its purpose the prevention of the form against which the strike has taken place. If this matter is arranged there appears to be no reason why work should not be resumed and in the. general interests of the' public, as well as of those dependents who always suffer most from strikes, we trust that a perfectly friendly arrangement may be arrived at.