THE CALL OUT OF THE DRIVERS.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14831, 24 November 1913, Page 7

THE CALL OUT OF THE DRIVERS.

./ HOW THE CITY WILL BE AFFECTED. WJien the drivers belonging to tho Canterbury Drivers' Union finished their last job at one o'clock on Saturday afternoon, they were- expected by thoir union to do no more work till tho strike is settled. The call out applies to every member of tho union, including tho City Council's drivers and the taxi-cab drivers. There is somo doubt, however, as to whether it will be responded to with the unanimity that the union officials expect. % It ia reported, for instance, that tho City Council drivers, or a majority of them, aro opposed to coming out. They may bo intimidated into doing so by fear iof reprisals from their fellow-members. Tho comsequenco of all coming out would bo serious to tho health of the city. Several employers have received assurances from their drivers that they do not intend to respond to the union's call. To-day will chow their value. Almost every business in town will be affected by the drivers stopping work. The baker, the grocer, even the laundrymen will, in all probability, cease to call, and a harvest is said to be in store for tho private carriers who aro not members of tho union, and whoso services will bo available for work usually dono by the drivers on strike. Tho secretary of the Drivers Union, whilst admitting that the union has no power over the private earners, is of opinion that many of them will sympathise with its members. Taxi-cab drivers who own their own cars will continuo to ply fo* hire. Tho membership of the Canterbury Motor-car and Horse Drivers' and Livery Stable Employees' Union totals over 650. Drivers employed by aerated water manufacturers are not members of this union, but of tho Aerated Water Workers' and other Bottlers' Union, and are not included in tho call out. Drivers of coal carte and those employed in timber yards aro members of the Canterbury Timber Yards, Sawmills and Coal Yard Employees' Union and aro also not affected by the call. Drivers of coal carts, according to section 9 of the 1908 amendment of the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act, are liable to a fine of £2o if they go on strike without giving 14 days notice. , . - , • , With regard to the cartage of ships cargo, it is understood that arrangements have beon made to deal witn whatever comes through from the port. IF CITY COUNCIL DRIVERS ■ STRIKE? Cr H J. Otley, chairman of the Works and Sanitary Committee of the City Council, asked what tho effect would be if the City Council's drivers go on strike, said: — "It will stop all the Council s work. Tho labourers will have to stop, and the sanitary work will be lett undone." , It is understood that there was a meeting of the Council's drivers on Saturday morning, at which several expressed themselves as opposed to the strike. ATTITUDE OF TAXI DRIVERS. The taxi-cab who are members of the Drivers' Lnion, aro apparently divided in opinion as to coming out." Some, especially those on tho railway station stand, are strongly opposed to going on strike. Others are reported to bo as strongly in favour of At tho meeting of the union on Friday night, there were probably not moro than twenty taxi-cab drivers present, out of the 75, who are members of the union.

The secretory of the Drivers' Union informed a reporter that at the meeting on Friday night he moved that the taxi-cab drivers should be exempt from the call out. This was to ensure that the question from the taxi drivers point of view should be dealt with fairly and squarely. Four taxi drivers spoke to the motion, which was lostThere appears to be some dou~. as to whether or not the union and individual members thereof ca'tt both bo fined for going on strike. The view taken by the union ofliciaLs is that if the union be fined the individuals cannot be fined also.

The drivers of batchers' carts axe

not members of the Drivers' Union, bnt of tho Ohrjstchurcli Operative Butchers' Union, which meets to-night to discuss strike matters. THE POSITION OF, CARRIERS. It is contonded by some carriers that they have tho power to refuse to carry goods that have not been handled by unipn labour. This is understood to bo inaccurate, and that unless a carrier has the valid excuse that ho has another customer to attend to, he is liaule ti lose Ins license if ho refuses to handlo whatover goods ho is asked to carry.