OLD WATERSIDERS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1916, 26 November 1913, Page 8

OLD WATERSIDERS.

KEALISE THAT END IS COMING

Yesterday's meeting of the old Waterside Workers' Ijjiion was attended bv several hundred members at tlio Skating Kink. From what can ho gathered it appears that iu spite of the large attendance there was an absolute lack of enthusiasm. It is reported, too, that an address by the assistant secretary, Jlr. Bruce, contained what was tantamount to an admission of defeat. The usual [mast of solidarity was dropped, and Sir. Brace's only' suggestion of solidarity was in his advice to the watcrsiders that if they were "to go i hack beaten" they should go baek in a hoily, and not as individuals. li.v all accounts Iho shortage of eapital is : now being keenly felt, and the strikers are being faced with a money pjiiblem to leed their big party, without mentioning such an item as strike pay. The position for them is perhaps not so urntp m Wellington as it is ill fUlior pari 3, for instance, on (he West I Coast, of the South Island, but neveiihe- I less a large section ol' the local strikers seem Hreil of Inking meal tickets, now ! that the struggle Imis become swell a hopeless one. .Also severa' of them are ie))iu'ted to have openly objected to a system of rule, which reqnirrti l.hem to decline holiest work and to send their wives and children to the Distress Coin* mittee for medical comforts and relief.