IN THE OTHER CITIES.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1907, 15 November 1913, Page 7

IN THE OTHER CITIES.

START OR QUIT? CALL TO LVTTELTON LUMPERS. BY THE EMPLOYERS. (By TclcgraoU.— Prses Association,) Christclitfreiij November 14. Tho following letter was forwarded to tho watersiders to-day by Mr. Cooper, secretary of tho Employers' Association, on behalf of tho local committee appointed to open the port of Lyttoltoni— "My committee realised from tho commencement of tho striko that no special causo for dissension existed at Lyttoltou, and believed that tho decision of the Lyt-telton waterside workers to cease work in response to tho call from Wellington was based on a sense of loyalty rather than upon tho incident, that led up to the strike. Tho romiiiitteo had ■ hoped that the trouble would not ho extended iarther than a temporary stoppage of work, and mainly ior this reason no movement has been made so far to open tho port of Lyttelton by means of labour other Gf your union. That hope has not been realised, and it must be apparent to your members, as well as to the rest of tho community, that tho trade and commerco of the province cannot bo suspended indefinitely simply because ono particular section of the workers is disinclined to resiimo work. "I am instructed to that my committee is acting simply in the interests of the peopfo of" Canterbury who have produce and other goods to export, or merchandise, and other oasonaWe f,reds waiting tq bo discharged. This work must bo dono without further delay. The committee fully recognises that the work should, if possible, bo dono by the men who for many years have' been working tho port," and with whom thero is not tha slightest fault to find under- normal conditions, but sufficient timo has already f.oen given tho regular watersiders to ttmsklor tho position. If outsider.3 take work in hand, and desiro to remain, they would havo at least .in equal claim, and their services would he retained, although they might displace men who of their own ffeo will luivo declined employment wh.on ships havo been available for loading or die-' charging. I am, therefore, instructed to ask if your union will register under the Arbitration Act and agree to resume work at once, as tlio intention of the committee is to proceed without delay. I shall bo obliged if you will favour mo with a e reply by noon, on-Saturday." Tho union leaders and • tho Strike Committoo are meeting to discuss .the letter. Thoy state that they aro exceedingly surprised at the local employers demanding an Arbitration union in a port whero thoro has been no breach of an agreement, and aft almost entire absenco of friction, and where tho fee}ing against compulsory arbitration is deep-rooted.