CHRISTCHURCH DRIVERS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 24 November 1913, Page 5

CHRISTCHURCH DRIVERS.

ORDERED TO "DOWN TOOLS." A SERIOUS POSITION. CHRISTCHURCH, Last Night. When the drivers belonging to the Canterbury Drivers Union finished their last job at one o'clock yesterday afternoon they were expected by their union to do no more work till the strike is settled. The "call out" applies to every member of the union, including the City Council's drivers and taxi-cab drivers. There is some doubt as to whether it will be responded to with the unanimity that union officials expect. It is reported, for instance; that the .City Council driv--01% or ft majority of tliOiil* are opposed to comiiig nt 4. They may, however, be intimidated into doing so for fear of reprisals from tM'ir fellow members. '■ The consequence of all coming out would be serious to the .health of the city. Several employers have received assurances! from their drivers that they do not intend to respond to the union's call, Monday will show their vahw. . Almost every business m town would be affected by the drivers j ; stopping "work. , j The secretary of the Drivel's union, whilst admitting that the union has' 110 power over private carriers, is of opinion that many of them will sympathise with its members. Taxi-cab drivers who own then* own cars will continue to ply for hire. The membership of the Canterbury Motor-car and Horse Drivers and Livery Stables Employees Union totals over 650. The drivers employed by aerated water manufacturers are not members of this union, but of the Aerated Water Workers and Other Bottlers Union, and are not included in the call out. . The drivers of coal carts, and those emploved in the timber yards, ure members of the Canterbury Timber Yards, Sawmills, and Coal Yard Employees' Union, and are also not affected bv the call. With regard to the cartage of ships cargo, it is understood that arrangements have been made to deal wiih whatever comes through from the poTt.

Councillor H. J. Otley, chairman of the Works and Sanitary Committee of the City Council, asked what the effect would bo if the. City Council drivers go on strike, said: "It will stop all the council's work. The labourers will have to stop, and sanitary work will be left undone." It is understood that there was a meeting of the council's drivers this morning, at which several expressed themselves opposed to a strike.