QUESTION OF GENERAL STRIKE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15382, 20 February 1912, Page 5

QUESTION OF GENERAL STRIKE.

BALLOT HY TRAMWAY EMPLOYEES. HRISHANE, February 19. I (Received Feb. 20. at 0.30 a.m.) A secret ballot has been taken amongst the Tramway Employees' Associations in Melbourne, Adelaide, and Brisbane on the question of a general strike in the event of the objection lo the case now before the Arbitration Court proving succcsslul. The ballot is proceeding, The Melbourne men have, voted largely in favour of a strike. AUCKLAND GENERAL LABOURERS. (I'cu United Pncss Association.l AUCKLAND, February 19. Matters in connection with the dispute between the Auckland General Labourers' Union and various employers of labour are still simmering in a state of unsettlement. The whole jwsition had been laid l>efore the executive of the Federation of Labour, and it is from that quarter that the next step must come in the- ordinary course. In the meantime, as has already been made clear, tho officials of the General Labourers' Union feel tliat the action of the City Council in falling into line with the other employers in refusing to meet the union has been a breach of faith. This belief lias been crystallised in tho following challenge issued by Mr W. Parry (vicc-preside.nl of the New Zealand Federation of Labour) to the Mayor of Auckland :—" Seeing Hut his Worship the Mayor (Mr C. .1. Parr) has deliberately taken advantage of his official position as chief magistrate of the city to enlir.lthe power of the City Council on behalf of the employers, and has used that pnwsr lo prejudice the case of the workers.. Mr Parry challenges Mr Parr to justify his attitude before a general meeting of citizens at the Grey statue on Thursday evening next." This morning a large deputation representing various branches of the City Council labourer* wailed upon the Mayor at the City' Council Chandlers, the spokesman said they had not come lo I make a complaint, but there were certain I waiters regarding hours, wages, and conditions which they were prepared to leave {•o Mr Parr, as a reasonable man, to see i if there could not be some reasonable im- [ priveinellt. The question of wages was fully discussed. The Mayor asked for further details and further information, which Hie deputation promised to at once supply. THE FLAX INDUSTRY. DANGER OF A STRIKE. (I'tli United I'nr.ss Association.) PALMERSTOX N., February 19. Serious trouble is threatened 'in the j flax industry, and a si like appears imminent over the question of a uniform minimum rate of pav to swamp hands. A conference was held on Saturday between Uie. Flaxmill Employees' Union and the Flaxniille.ro' Association representatives, but it lirob up without any agreements being arrived at. Subsequently the delegates of the Employees' Union held a conference to discuss the question, and the following resolution was passed: " That a maw meeting of the union be held in the Municipal Hall on Thursday to deal with the highly unsatisfactory reply from the Flaxmillc'rs' Association'; that the meeting be held at 11 a.m., and that a definite decision as to a course of action be arrived at." It is not known vet just what will happen. The time fixed for the meeting on Thursday, however, means that every mill in the province will be stopped for the day. MEAT WORKS STRIKE. A WORKER ASSAULTED. I (Per United Pin's Association.) WELLINGTON. February 19. In connection with the meal workers' strike, the wharf lalioureis 011 Saturday refused lo comply with the edict issued by the I'edcrntion of Labour that the men were not to handle the products of the Gear Company or the Meat Export Company. A consignment was put on board ihe Drayton Grange in the ordinary way. A man approached tho gang working the meat, and, after making use of some filthy terms, struck one of the workers, knocking liim down. The assailant then decamped. A conference between representatives of the employers and the strikers at the I'etono and Ngalituirangn Freezing Works was held today, lasting from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Good'progress was made in the earlier stages, but eventually a deadlock was reached on the question of overtime, and it is very doubtful if it will be possible to get over this. A meeting of the men will be held in the morning to considor a progress report of their repreR?ntntives, who will again meet the. emj plovers to-morrow evening.