IS IT A STRIKE?

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13594, 14 May 1908, Page 7

IS IT A STRIKE?

OPINIONS DIFFER.

The New Zealand Employers' Federation and the Minister of Labour ara at variance over a little incident which occurred in Wanganui at the end of February last- The Federation holds that the incident was a strike. The Minister says it Isn't. The facts are that on, February 22nd the twenty-one fellmongery hands employed by tbe'Wanganui Freezing Company "went out on strike for increased pay, and" presented the manager with a document in the form of a round robin, which was signed by each one. The legend in the centre of the round robin was: "Names of those ont on strike for 8s per day and Is 3d for overtime. If not nonstarters." These rates of pay are higher than these provided by the award.- The Company agreed to pay the increased rate under protest. Four days later, the company's nine chamber hands sent in a similar "round robin, asking for 16 3d per hour and Is 6d for overtime. The matter was reported by the company to the Minister of Labour", who decided that no strike had taken place as the company had voluntarily increased the men's yages, and thai, consequently, no action could be taken bv the department. The manager then communicated with the advisory board of the Employers* Federation, which quickly formed the opinion that an offence under the Act had been committed. The company lias been advised to seek legal a.«--sis-tance. the board also offering to render any help in its power to have the point settled. Just after this decision was arrived at. the secretary, Mr. Fryor, received the actual round robin sent by the fellmongery hands, distinctly bearing in its centre "the words: "Out on strike."