THE RECENT STRIKE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 14, 16 January 1914, Page 6

THE RECENT STRIKE.

SUSPICIOUS LABOR MEN.

[Pbb Press Association.]

Auckland, January 16

Objection has been raised in regard ' to the request made by the Auckland Labour Department to local bodies and ■ other employers for information as to employees who had taken part in the 'recent strike. There is some suspicion that the information will be Used for the compilation of a black list. The Chief Inspector of the Department here repudiated any suggestion of victimisation. The information asked was required for ordinary routine duties of the Department as*to breaches of award. All that concerned the Department was the observance of the law. Without the information asked for it would be impossible to report the number of breaches of the Act committed. Possibly such information might be followed by prosecution, but most decidedly the names were not filed for the purpose of victimisation.

THE MARINE ENGINEERS.

Wellington, January 16

It is understood that a ballot is being taken by the members of the Marine engineers to decide whether the branches of the Institute in Wellington and Auckland will be separated from the main body. A ballot should have been ordered by the executive council of the Institute at Sydney to satisfy some Australian members who dissented from the action of the New Zealand members in regard to the late strike and other matters. It is understood that a four-fifths majority is required to bring the proposed separation about. The ballot should be completed about the end of March.

Another rumour is that the engineers are taking a ballot regarding the working agreement which exists with the members of the Merchant Service GuMd. A desire to cancel the agreement is said to have manifested itself among some of the members of the Engineers' Institute.