A STRIKE CLOUD.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 867, 20 November 1916, Page 10

A STRIKE CLOUD.

NOTICE BY DRIVERS. AUCKLAND MEN TO GO OUT. OTHER CENTRES INVITED TO JOIN. Press Association. AUCKLAND, November 19. At a mass meeting of members of the Drivers' Union, held this afternoon, it was resolved that the fidlowing notice be sent to the Minister of Labour:— "It is with the deepest regret that we have now to advise you that seven days from this date the drivers of this district will declare a strike. The time for such act will operate from the expiration of the old award. "We fully realise the seriousness of taking this action, but we have a duty to perform, no! only to ourselves, but to our wives and children,! whom we consider are entitled toj 1 .dter maintenance and a better home life than we are now able to give; them, owing to the very low rate of j wage we receive. j "Further, we consider that we. would be lacking in manhood if we submitted to the terms and conditions laid down in the award, which places the standard of drivers 40 per cent, lower than that of any other trade or calling." Delegates are to proceed to Wellington to-morrow, and other centres are being invited to take like action. ACTION IN WELLINGTON. BALLOT TO BE TAKEN. Press Association. WELLINGTON, November 20. A meeting of the Drivers' Union expressed dissatisfaction at the refusal of the employers to meet them in conference, and decided to take a ballot on the question of ceasing work as a protest. CONFERENCE TO-MORROW. Mr H. Hunter, Secretary of the Canterbury Drivers' Union, will leave for Wellington this evening, in response to a telegram which he received to-day from Mr Parlane, Secretary of the Wellington Drivers' Union. Mr Hunter states that representatives of the various Drivers' Unions are meeting in Wellington tomorrow, and he anticipates that there will be a conference between them and the Employers, who are also meeting together. Mr Hunter says that no further steps will be taken in Christchurch by the drivers until after the Wellington Conference.