AT CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8611, 23 December 1913, Page 6

AT CHRISTCHURCH

EFFECTS OF THE STRIKE. Press Association, CHRISTCHURCH, December 22. Strike matters aro quiet. Tho men aro not going back yet, but it is understood that there is a desire to return to work in a body. A meeting of tho Citizens’ Defence Committee took place to-day, but nothing was disclosed. Attempts were made by a reporter to-day to collect information regarding tho economic effects of the strike in tho city and in Canterbury generally. It was found, however, that at the best only approximate estimates could bo obtained. It is probable that tho total cost of tho strike to thoso actually engaged in it, as well ns to those who were affected by it, 'will never bo fully known. Some rough estimates of loss in wages that strikers suffered is possible; but it is extremely difficult, if not altogether impossible, to estimate even what the district has lost owing to stoppage of production and owing to tho orders that have not been received. One estimate (admittedly only taking into account loss' in wages and part of the loss in production), puts the total at over £20,000, details being;—Watersiders’ wages, £10,000; drivers’ wages, £700; foundries and confectionery and other workers affected by tho strike, wages, £3000; loss in production (foundries, confectionerv. and other works), £9000; total, £22,700. The farming community has suffered considerably owing to tho unsatisfactory character of the first wool sale. The consequence has been that there has been a tightness of money as far as tho primary producers in Canterbury have been concerned. It is anticipated, however, that if a month’s fine weather is experienced, the farming community will he able to recover itself Crop prospects aro good, provided a spell of fine weather is experienced. ,