ON STRIKE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8609, 20 December 1913, Page 6

ON STRIKE

THE OLD UNIONS. HARD TO KEEP GOING WITHOUT MONEY. The Waterside Workers’ Union and some members of tlio Drivers’ Union nro all that aro now out on strike In Wellington. A number of the old waterside workers havo returned to their work ou tho wharves, but a good many of thorn aro still standing firm. It is stated that tho funds are very low at tho present time, and that tho Judgment delivered by tho Supreme Court in tho Typographical Union’s ■case has further complicated tho position. Several unious s however, are said to ho still contributing to the striko funds, and it is understood that the seamen will devote a portion of their earnings to tho relief fund. The old Drivers’ Union is said to bo few in numbers, and it is more than likely that those men will soon elect to declare the strike off and return to work. EX-WATERSIDERS MEET. Tho old Waterside Workers’ Union held a meeting in tho Skating Rink yesterday morning, Mr Agnew, chairman of the central strike committee, presiding. It is stated that Mr W. T. Young, president of the United Federation of Labour, and secretary of the Seamen's Union, addressed the meeting and ■pointed out that the finances were in a very poor condition. About £IOOO was needed for striko purposes next week and tho federation had only £4OO in hand. On. Monday the sum .if £250 had been paid out, and a similar amount on Wednesday. Very little money was coming from Australia, and the decision of the Supreme Court in regard to contributions from unions In che Dominion had also seriously affected the striko funds. The workers had returned to work at Foxton, Onehimga, New Plymouth, Nelson, Oamaru, and Greymouth, and Westport was just waiting' for the result of the fede* ration conference. Tho seamen were weak at Napier (where some bad returned to work), and at Dunedin they had decided- to go hack. Both at Dunedin and Port Chaimers the water.udors showed a tendency to get back to work. Personally be would like to carry on for twelve months if it could bo done, but there was very little money available, and he did jnot eeo how they could carry on the striko. Mr P. H. Hickov advocated the continuance of tho fight. Ho did not believe in giving up at the present l stage. Mr J. Dowgray spoke in a similar ■strain, though ho admitted tbe position was weak. These were all the speakers, and tho meeting terminated without any resolution being carried.