GIRL PICKETS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1314, 18 December 1911, Page 9

GIRL PICKETS.

MATCH-MAKERS' STRIKE. The 3C "shouldering" girls at the match' factory of Messrs. Bryant and Hay, Hell anil Co., still remain on strike, says a writed in the Melbourne "Argus." The only sign that a fierce industrial struggle, was in full course was that, under the .shelter of the shop verandahs opposite the rod brick factory in Church Street, East Richmond, the pickets kept guiml over the gate of the works. These pickets aro from 18. to IS years of age. They hre very much in carni!st.' i about. the strike, and very suspicious of inquiring sTangers, resembling in that respect the small, selfpossessed sparrows which battle, for a living in the city. They have, they declare, instructions to remain "oyster"— and they will not discuss the strike. They seem entirely capable of giving any girl who seeks work in spito of their objections a very unpleasant time. "What would we do?" said one. "The John Hop nsked us that, and wo told him to go and apply for a job and he would see." There are no policemen inissine in East Richmond, and thus it 6eems this one did not push his curiosity to the point of danger. ''We don't want to be cheeky, mister," said another girl; "but we can only say 'Oyster'." Following the precedent set by tho late Sir Thomas Bent on important occasions,, they all said "Oyster, as though it were >an incantation: An elder girl of about 25 years, who might or might not have been a chaperon or a .trades Hall official, argued mildly against the necessity for saying anything. \\h«n Mr. Key said that girls earn to 355. a week at 'shouldering, broke out one dark-eyed youn" picket "he ought to have been nsked to show his 'books. We've got to work hard to make las., and often wo don't mako 10s. lhatain t enough to keep a girl." Her lriends, who all seemed fairly well nourished cried "Oyster,". and she shut her mouth on her grievance. So far as the firm is concerned, the manager of the factory (Mr. Ney) stated that the demands of tho girls for 2s. a crate for placing shoulders in wax matchboxes would not bo entertained. He pointed out that before the firm began operations Is W. a crate was paid, whfreas now Is. Bd. is given. It had to be remembers Mr. Ney said, that the girls together with the other employees/ worn allowed tea milk, and sugar free for thei? for them. A largo number of the female workers earned £2 a week, while one rirl had received .£2 12s. Gd. for an oK Cs!id! raV SIWUI(W ' had »S