THE HUNTLY STRIKE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15911, 3 November 1913, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE HUNTLY STRIKE.

BOTH SIDES FIRM. A PROLONGED STRUGGLE FEARED.

ENGINE DRIVERS REFUSE TO STRIKE. '

HAMILTON, October 21.

While the company asserts that the union caused a breach of the agreement made last November, by which it is liable to £50 a day as a penalty for not taking a secret ballot and not giving six weeks' notice, the union, on the other iand, states that a clause in the agreement justifies them in their action. Members consider they have been victimised, and the union declares there are 16 distinct cases of victimisation, as while 16 unionists were dismissed 14 new njen were taken on.

It is understood that the union, when notice was received that work was slack, offered to divide among themselves all the work the company required, thus obviating the necessity for the dismissal cf any of the men. When this offer was refused by the company they further undertook to conduct a ballot amongst the members as to what men should be put off, the ballot to be conducted under the union's supervision. This, it is explained, would have given the single men a chance to give their right of work over to married men, who were not in a position to stand a period of enforced idleness. The directors replied, however, that they must reserve the right to uso their own discretion as to whom they employed. It is calculated that 500 men are out.

Mr E. W. Allison (chairman of direc tors) states that the men's daim to dcci.le who should be employed or aischni-fji'it is unique among the causa* of in..u.ur!,i. trouble in Ncv,- Zealand. 8a;-|i <v i::u.u>s will certainly not l:e eyiiniku .j pany. A most intcr;.<:;>;; :mL»: trouble at Iluntly i, „.k ii>,i ■ v .ie engine-drivers not to wi uu.oj with tho miners. I'lio ui iiie Miners' Union approuciwnl uie Miguiedrivers' Union with a view to souring co-operation in tho present strike. Tiie matter was considered at a meeting of engine-drivers last night, and the following letter was sent to the Miners' Union this morning:—" While sympathising with the men who have been dismissed, wo deeply regret the hasty action which you have taken and not having recourse to constitutional means of taking a secret ballot to decide an issue of such great import. After having duly considered the contents of your letter, in conjunction ■with torms of our agreement, we havo unanimously decided that we cannot see our way clear to accodc to your request." It, is stated on behalf of the enginedrivers that they are perfectly satisfied with the working of their own agreement, and havo no complaints to make in any direction wbaterei.