RELIEF

Wairarapa Daily Times, 13 May 1932, Page 5

RELIEF

CHRISTCHURCH STRIKE. CIIRISTCHURCH, Thursday. A number of relief Avorkers in the city and environs responded to the call to -strike made to-day, but on the figures available, Avhich are incomplete because many men had already finished their Aveek’s allocation before the declaration of the strike, it appears that the number responding to the strike call constituted a small minority of tho Avorkers.

The Strike Committee claim that by tho Aveek-end practically a hundred per cent of the men av ill liua'c downed tools, but the truth of this assumption Avill not bo determinable until Monday, Avhen the men are to recommence AV-ork. The strikers spent the day holding meetings, and some parties of pickets visited Avorking gangs. Of tiie men Avlio should have been at Avork to-day, only 203 Avere absent, and most of the absentees Avere from parties m. the Heathcoto County, Avlicrc of ISO engaged, 150 men struck.

The City Council Avorkers’ Avages are subsidised by the Council and made up to 14s 6d a day. Nevertheless, 51 men struck out of 430.

In some cases men left their jobs at the request of pickets, but later returned to Avorlc. Some groups have declared that they are not sympathetic Avith a strike, and Avill not join.

lioAvever, the figures may not give a true indication, as the Strike Committee had said that the men might, if they chose, complete their Aveek’s allocation before joining the strike. Some have declared already that they Avill return to work on Monday. (I .A.)