TROUBLE AHEAD.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LXIV, Issue 11264, 3 February 1912, Page 5

TROUBLE AHEAD.

GENERAL STRIKE THREATENED.

At the conclusion of the meeting of the. union last night a short meeting of the strike committee was held, and it was decided to write to the Council informing them of the decision of the men. "Take it from me," said one of the members on the committee to a Times reporter, "this is going to be a big struggle. The Council has turned us down and the whole Dominion will have to suffer for their rotten action. The position is being forced upon us. It is not our fault, and we are quite prepared now to go on with the game." Another member of the committees said he shuddered to think what would be the result of the council's attitude. Everything seemed shaping towards a general strike. WHARF LABOURERS FIRST. * Apropos these remarks it was open talk in labour circles yesterday that there would be grave trouble ahead if the dispute was not finally settled that night. It was freely stated that tiie wharf labourers would be the first to bo called out, and that migiit happen on Saturday morning early or at. any minute; also l;nat the gas com-pany's-workers would "down tools" as soon as the word was passed. It was also mentioned tnat there was every likelihood of the engineers of the power-house ceasing work, especially if any "scab" labour were- introduced. THE COUNCILS' ATTITUDE. Judging from the temper of the Council throughout yesterday's proceedings, it is improbable that the words "at his own request" Will bo deleted. The voting on most points as between the Council and tho men has been ten for the Council's attitude and live in favour of the men. But as a result of last night's decision of tho strikers' meeting the minority of five is likely to bedirnmishedby at least two votes at to-day's meeting.