DRAINAGE WORKS STRIKE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 108, 27 October 1911, Page 5

DRAINAGE WORKS STRIKE.

MEETING OF LABORERS. By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, Thursday. In connection with the drainage works laborers' strike, a meeting was held this morning and addressed by Mr. Semple, organiser for the Federation of Labor. Ho -spoke generally on the organisation of labor, the need for unity and loyalty, the importance of fighting strenuously for the privileges and rights of the working class, and the duty of even' unionist to hold out for a principle such as was now at stake.

The meeting passed a resolution not to communicate any details to the press. It appears that an assurance has been given by the contractors that sub-letting will not be attempted. The union is waiting for the drainage board to take definite action in the matter. It wishes to take from the board's engineer power to give authority for sub-letting.

MEN STILL OBSTINATE. Auckland. Last Night. The laborers employed on the drainage contracts let by the 'Auckland Suburban Drainage Board and the Onehunga Borough Council are still on strike, and so far as could 'be seen this evening, there is no prospect of an immediate settlement. The grievance which gave rise to the strike has already removed by Mr. Moody, the drainage contractor, who let the sub-contract, giving an assurance that in the future he will emplay all his men on day wages, but the men are still unsatisfied, and the number of strikers has been doubled, and the whole of the big drainage works are held up in consequence. The situation cannot be viewed with equanimity. Thestrikers to-day induced fully 240 men employed by the City Council and subu'liltan local authorities to join their ranks, the total number of men on strike up to this evening being thus swelled to 470. As the great majority of the men on strike were earning from Ss fid to 10s each per shift, the loss in wages j is over £2OO per day.