IN CHRISTCHURCH.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14838, 2 December 1913, Page 7

IN CHRISTCHURCH.

WANING OF THE STRIKE.

Compared with tho state of things in Christchurch last Monday, conditions yesterday were in sharp contrast. Last week the streets wero almost denuded of vehicles carryrng goods r yesterday they bore their, normal aspect in this essontial. Last Monday, most of tho drivers wero on striko; yesterday thero were apparent signs that tho strike was rapidly fizzling out, and that most of the drivers had returned to work. Workers who wore thrown out of employment owing to the port being closed and to tho'strike of drivers aro rapidly resuming work. Yesterday all departments of tho Atlas Foundry (Messrs Scott Bros., Ltd.), with the exception of the moulding shop, wero in full swing, and the majority of tho hands at the Atlns Confectionery Works and at Messrs Aulsebrook and Co.'s biscuit and confectionery works were again in employment. Other trades affected are gradually resuming active* operations. The work on tho No. 2 loan area in the borough of Spreydon was resumed yesterday morning, all tho old hands returning. .

Many drivers aro reported to havo resumed work.

It is narrated of ono employer of drivers tliat when the strike of local drivers was declared, he decided to have a holiday till after Christmas. It was a long timo since ho had booh able to take a spell, so he decided to go off to the Auckland Exhibition. H;s plant is housed, his horses have been turned out to grass, and his employees are probably looking for jobs. An indication of the loss that the striko is inflicting was given a -reporter by a business man who is not in a big way of business. Ho remarked that compared with the corresponding period of last year his returns for tho past two or three wc.ks wore less by £300 per week. People and firms in a larger way of business are probably sufforing proportionately heavier Icses. Very few special constables wero to be seen in town yesterday. Business at tho workers' store was reported to be good. Tho statement that the Striko Committeo intended having a conference with the Christchurch Tramway Board's employees is said by Mr Hj-.im Hunter, secretary of the Tramway Employees' Union, to be without foundation.

Rumours in circulation that it is intended to call out the cencrni labourers are denied by responsible officers of the union.