THE CALL TO STRIKE.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1906, 14 November 1913, Page 8

THE CALL TO STRIKE.

BUILDING TRADE

ONE WEIRD STRIKE BALLOT,

The combined effect of tiro drivers and building trades' labourers goiiu' out on strike, together with the difli" unities that havo been experienced in getting an adequate supply of cement on account of tho block at the waterfront, has been to stop operations in Wellington. This unfortunate position has not been brought about by the action of tho building trade labourers deciding yesterday to go out. That was only an after effect. The primary cause was the shortage of cement, through tho blocking; of the landing of cement cargoes in the lirsfc place, and, secondly, in the difficulty of getting it delivered to tho jobs now in progress in tho city. There are some 275 members of the Building Trades Labourers' Union in Wellington, of which Mr. Kennedy is secretary, but owing to there being a shortage of cement no work could be provided for many of tho men. When they struck yesterday there wera only about thirty men in work. Hence, no doubt, tho decision'to strike. As a, matter of fact," tho action of the- union (which is understood to have been against the advice of tho secretary) has not added much more to the embarrassment of building contractors than war, being experienced before, as there was practically nothing doing. How They Ballot. Assuming now that a plentiful supply of cement were landed—there is one steamer in tho harbour with 400 tons of Auckland cement—the trouble would not end, as there .would still, remain tho difficulty of having sand and gravel carted. Tt is understood that' the ' drivers aro far from being solid on the striko question, and several havo already gone back on the decision: This is said to have been due to tho unfair manner in which, the question was put to them at- the deciding meeting. It was put to tho men something in the following 'manner:—-"All ■

those who aro in favour of the solidarity of labour and who sympathise with the watersiders in their trouble go to that side of the room—tho 'scabs' go to tljo other." Under such circumstances what could bo the result of such a ballot? But there are among the drivers a good number of intelligent men,'who object to such.methods, and who are not; to bo dragooned this way. Hence tho split in the camp. ■ The City Buildings Held Up. In the meantime all work on brick buildings in courso , of erection has ceased. These include- the following:— Wliiteombo and Toaibs's factory, Bflulcott Terrace; now offices for the railway servants, Aitken Street;, extension of Government Printing Office, Lambtoii Quay; P. Coqper and Son's new warehouse, Dixon Street] the Autdmiitie Bakeries,' at Taranaki Street and Adelaide Road (two distinct companies).; and tho now school, Kelburne. For the same reason Mr. W. L. Thompson, has been unable to make a start with tho new brick block for Mrs. T, G. Maparthy in Wjllis" Street.

The Bricklayers' Union has taken no action in regard to the trouble, strike conditions having been forced upon them by tho other' workers who are clogging tho wheels of industry.