THE NEW DRIVERS UNION.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14835, 28 November 1913, Page 8

THE NEW DRIVERS UNION.

SUCCESSFUL MEETING LAST

NIGHT

ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY

STRONG

The first general meeting of members of the Christchurch Horse and Commercial Motor Drivers' Industrial Union of Workers was held last night in Ridley's Hall, Armagh street. A few of the "strikers" strolled round from the Trades' and Labour Hall, and walked into the meeting, which was largely attended. They, announced their presence by asking for the rules and regulations, and putting numerous questions to the Chairman (Mr Frank HaQagan, president of the Union). For this tho meeting was not unprepared, and the appearance of a few of the police assisted the intruders in coming to tho .conclusion that it would be advisable for them to accept the invitation of the chairman tb leave the meeting. The new members enrolled during the evening brought the total membership up to 120, but it is confidently expected that before the next meeeing this number will have been increased) to two hundred. It is a significant fact that the majority, of the members of the new union are workers who have seceded from the ranks of the old organisation. The registration of the Union under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act will be effected within a few days. The papers are already in Wellington. The actingsecretary of the Union is Mr A. Coull.

It is reported that the majority of J. Brightlmg and Co.'s men returned to work yesterday morning.

A driver who returned to work this morning* informed a "Press" represenmorning informed a "News" representative tnat he and several of his mates .would never'have gone out on strike at all if it "had not been for thsir fear of the consequences. To be accused of "scabbing" .was not ..a position they liked, to -be in. .He' considered that there would; be a general rush back to work., A small - group of* violent, Red Feds, had been responsible for the trouble, and by heated language and intimidations prevented many men resumbut the firebrands were now losing their crip, particularly as many members, were beginning to feel uncomfortable at the prospect of losing their jobs. The new union is hailed by many of the Red Fed.'s victims with unbounded delight as a refuge from the tyranny, of those running the old union. LAn sight,' recalling old coaching days in Christchurch, was that of Messrs W. Hayward, senior and junior; of the Rink Stables, driving the drags conveying the Royal ' Artillery Band about. It was many years since Mr W. Hayward had been seen on the box seat, but he handled the reins as well as the youngest of them. Neither was molested in any way.