TROUBLE AT OTIRA.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1041, 2 February 1911, Page 5

TROUBLE AT OTIRA.

STRIKE SPREADING. ATTITUDE OF MR, M'LEAN, TUNNEL OPERATIONS TO STOP, (By TclegraDh—Press Association.) Christchurch, February 1. Tho tunnel workers at Bealey Flat have joined in the strike, work ceasing there at 8 o'clock last night. It is expected ■ that a delegation of Bealoy inea will go to Otira to meet Mr. Semple, and discuss the situation. The strike, at Otira was. not altogether a general one, as the general carpenters and men employed in the engineering shop remained on tho. works. They have been called "blacklegs" and "scabs" by some of the less restrained among the strikers, and the men ' havo been mode to feel uncomfortable, though no violence has been attempted. , They will cease work this evening, and all tunnel operations will then'be at a standstill. Mr. Murdoch M'lcan N who left Otira for.Bealey to-day, adheres to his decision not to permit outside interference.. Hβ, niay.-however, meet Mr. Semple aiid dis-. cuss the situation. He says that prior to the strike he had no notice of ' anj' grievances, but was quite willing- to meet, his owa men. His feeling is that he has , had more than enough in- the past of West Coast agitators. The men in the power-house and in charge of the nunins at Bealey have not yet come out, but according to union officials at Otira they are prepared to do so if called out. Should they leave work there is a possibility of the Bealey endof the tunnel being flooded. Mr. Semple arrived at Otira this morn-, ing, and is now'endeavouring to arrange a meeting with Mr. Jl'Lean.