A STRIKE THAT FAILED.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 12856, 14 December 1912, Page 4

A STRIKE THAT FAILED.

DISAiFFECTIOiNr AMONG "(OHEES-

ERS."

HIGHER WAGES WANTED

"DOWN TOOLS" DECIDED UPON

MAJOMTY CHANGE THEIR MINDS

S/TRIKERS DISMISSED

• (Froiiii our Travelling Reporter.)

FATEA, Dec. 13. ..Labour unrest has japiaremtly spread to workers in cheese factories operating in. the district th'at prochices the butter and cheese forwarded to the Batea grading stores. The rate of pay, it appears, is graded from £2 5a per week up to £3, (according to service. Some of the smaller salaried men began to sow seeds of discontent, until a general " down tools" (suggestion iwiaa decided upon in certain factories. About 30 men agreed to come out, ibufc to the I majority second thoughts were consiI derecl best, iand so a day or two ago, the i-signial "down tools" elicited a miserable response, only thirteen yielding to the command. There was no difficulty in filling the places, and the work of i cheese making is gain** on as -usual. The thirteen who have been forced into the ranks of the unemployed flire not at all pleased with the others, iwho recognised that they were not soi badly off, after all. A cheese strike at this season of the year would have most disastrous results, particularly of it extended over the -whole district, and the discontented ones thought thlarfc this was their opportunity. The wrong steps were taken, however, and the (thirteen are to-day sadder but wiser amen.