THE RECENT STRIKE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16007, 25 February 1914, Page 2

THE RECENT STRIKE.

MEETING OF WHARF WORKERS

GRIEVANCES AT LYTTELTON

(Pbb United Fkiss Association.) CHRISTCHUECH, February 24. The Lyttelton wharf workers met today to discuss the preference question, also to protest against an article in a local newspaper suggesting that the ex-strikers were creating trouble in the port. Over 200 men attended. A motion of protest against the article was carried with one dissentient. , . A member said the present position at Lyttelton was untenable. No reasonable body of men could work under it. Competent men were being refused work, while incompetent men got preference. The wages paid in the port were the result of the work of the old union, and now the old unionists were being ruled out. He did not know whether they ought to leave the port altogether. Many unionists now receiving preference were ex-strikers from other ports of the dominion. Others had taken part in the drivers' strike in Christchurch. They oucrht to stand by their fellow workers. He" moved—" That the unionists receiving preference from the shipping companies be asked to attend a conference to discuss the situation." Another speaker said the workers had accepted the new conditions loyally. If the original arbitrationists were not -prepared to sUind by organised labour they should get out of the ranks. The motion was carried unanimously. It was stated that 150 of the original arbitrationisti were still receiving preference.