THE PATEA STRIKE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7319, 24 December 1910, Page 6

THE PATEA STRIKE

MEN STILL OUT. The petition with resard to the strike at Patea is unchanged (reports the “Wsuganui Chronicle”). The men are d-> maiding Is Gd per hour ordinary time, and 2s 6d per hour overtime, a halfholiday on Saturday, and preference to unionists. The men are at present being paid 2s per hour overtime. A conference was held recently of all those concerned, and they ail agreed (with the exception of Mr Bennett, of the Patea Shipping Co.), to the 2s Gd per hour overtime, but they strongly objected to preference being given ho unionists. The men themselves are prepared to waive their claim to a Satuutay half-holiday, but they are standing firm to preferenco being given to unionists. It is reported tnat the public of Patea are in sympathy with the men. The shipping agents think there will he no diili; culty in procuring outside labour, but, according to reports, this is very doubtful, there not being sufficient inducement for- the men. to come. The <h>mands of the men are the same as those in nse on the local Wharf, while some of the rates of pay demanded for working on Sundays and holidays are not.ais much as. arc being paid (locally. It was shown at the conference that the highest wages earned during the last twelve months only averaged .£2 a week. Altogether there are fifteen or sixteen men out on'strike.,