DRIVERS AND BOOTMAKERS RETURN TO WORK.

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

DRIVERS AND BOOTMAKERS RETURN TO WORK.

(KIMS ASSOCIATION TELICBAM.) WELLINGTON, November 27. In all, somo twenty-five vessels were .working at the wharves to-day,.all the available labour being engaged. A local, carrying firm to-day reemployed five of its old drivers who had gone on strike, and other firms also report tho return of employees who were members of the old , union. The number of vehicles employed is now closely approximating) what it was before the strike. There appears to have been a good deal of intimidation on the part of fellow-strikers as soon as they suspected that any men were wavering or likely to go back to work. Evidence of this sufficient to call for police intervention is difficult to obtain, but it is understood that measures are being taken to protect men who are willing to resume work against the molestation of those who are not. A special meeting of the Wellington Bootmakers' Union rescinded the recent resolution not to handle "scab" material. One reason for the bootmakers' return to work, is that Arbitrationjst leather is being surreptitiously introduced into certain factories. Unionists admit that the deciding factor was the action of the largest boot manufacturing firm, Hannah and Company, who closed when their stock of sole leather ■was exhausted.

The old /Waterside Union held a meeting to-day and expressed , confidence in the executive's management of strike affairs.

A special meeting of shipwrights resolved :—"Th at the shipwrights have thorough confidence in the executive of the United Federation of Labour, and intend to remain on strike until an honourable settlement is arrived at."

(special to "the press.") WELLINGTON, November 27. There is >an amusing development among the foot "specials" on the wharf. Fourteen were chosen to take regular shifts of eight hours at the main gates to the wharf at ten shillings per day. A number of other "specials" doing duty on the wharf gratuitously made trouble, and there was a deadlock. The fourteen original gatekeepers are idle to-day, and are meeting at two o'clock to discuss the grievance.' Meanwhile, ordinary unpaid "specials" are minding the gates.

The rain has joined the Arbitrationists as a strike-breaker. For three nights in succession ehowers have scattered the crowds when the mob orators were warming up.

At the Lower Hutt last evening Mr Hickey was in full blast, when he was compelled to strike by a heavy downpour causing a "stop-work" meeting and a hasty flight of the audience.