WAGES REDUCTION

Otago Witness, Issue 3593, 23 January 1923, Page 60

WAGES REDUCTION

WELLINGTON, January 15. 'The ballot conducted by the Alliance of Labour on the question of the nine affiliated organisations—seamen, waterside workers, miners, freezing workers, storemen, tramwaymen, Amalgamated Society of Railwaymen, and engineering workers—ceasing work as a protest against the w'age reduction, will close to-day. Approximately 50.000 workers are members, but not all of them have voted. The secretary of one large federation had returned to him through die post an unopened big parcel of voting papers intended for the use of members of the Canterbury branch. Accompanying the parcel was a covering note stating that the votes had not been cast because insufficient time had been allowed for supplying all ihe branch members with ballot papers. (From Our Own Correspondent.) CHRISTCHURCH, January 15. A fairly general opinion expressed in. Christchurch Labour circles is that it is probable the New Zealand Alliance of Labour will find it inexpedient to publish the result of the ballot which is being taken amongst the unions affiliated with the Alliance on the question of a cessation of work as a protest against the wages reduction. This is taken as an indication that the voting will be either so evenly divided on ihe question or so decidedly against the proposed action that in either contingency the publication of the voting would not help forward the object in view.