WELLINGTON GAS TROUBLE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CVI, Issue 16309, 10 August 1917, Page 8

WELLINGTON GAS TROUBLE.

WATERSJDERS INVOLVED

GOVERNMENT PERSUASION FAILS From Our Own Correspondent. WELLINGTON, August 9. The matter of 'the Wellington, gas works dispute was brought before, lae House to-day by Mr Hornsby Ine stokers left work about a mouth ago, being dissatisfied with their wages and the conditions generally. Mr Hornsby said that in view of the trouble m Auislrr.Ua., and feeling that a. similar outbreak here was not altogether impossible. Mr Massey should take a determined, step. Mr Massey replied lie had dene everything possible to settle the dispute. He had interviewed and conferral, with all sides concerned in the trouble. One conference lasted the whole of one. afternoon and the greater part of next morning. An agreement was arrived at, but it was broken. There was some influence at work which did no't appear on the surface. At a period like this, when the destines of the Empire were at stake, both masters and men should all thaJc was possible to avoid trouble, and if there were more give and take there would lie less trouble. It was impossible to carry out suggestions that 'the Government should take over the gas works during the war. I'c would be creating a dangerous precedent. He pointed out that 'the difficulty just now did not concern the stokers and gas hands, but wa.tersiders. who refused-to unload conl for the Gns Company. The mutter was a very difficult one to adjust, but he had done all he possibly could. _ He explained that he was out to fight and hoped the ma'tter would be speedily settled.