"Specials" Talk Strike.

NZ Truth, Issue 443, 13 December 1913, Page 2

" Specials" Talk Strike.

The wage-cutting policy of the I Government, even m regard to their hireling cow spankers, passing under the name ,of "spes-hells" jit Christchurch, was illustrated at the pay day of the "force" last week, and would undoubtedly have caused a strike m the ranks -of the strikebreakers had they hut possessed sufficient backbone to ., support their' convictions. The "spes- hells," it appears, were brought to Christchurch on the understanding that the wages . paid would be 10s a day for f oat speci ials, and 18s per day for mounted "men" — the ifate paid at Wellington and elsewhere. It \was understood that board and accommodation would be provided free. The men were paid last week at the rate of, 8s a day for Infantry, and considerably less than the promised ISs a day for the mounceds. I Resentment ran high m the ranks of the men who '.considered that they jeopardised their "principles," m accepting cheeserpaxing process. But, as wjas only to be expected from such a crowd* their alleged ("principle" died ' a natural death, land the best was made of a bad job.