COMIC OPERA STRIKE.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1928, 10 December 1913, Page 5

COMIC OPERA STRIKE.

c TELEGRAPH BOYS. This is tjio ago of strikes. Tho longsuffering peoplo of Wellington who have weathered the waterside trouble arc now threatened with another strike that is fraught with possibilities—at least tho strikers think so. The telegraph messengers have a grievance. An official is reported to have overheard several of his charges unburdening their minds concerning him, and .the opinions which these youths expressed wore, not complimentary. He reported them". In true '"'labour" stylo an indignation meeting was called, and. last evening between 30 and 40 of the boys assembled in tho messengers' club rooms, Lambtou Quay. Tho meeting was well under way and several fiery speeches had boon delivered when a diversion occurred. Tho attendant in charge 1 of tho club rooms, who was evidently unsympathetic, called on tho agitated ones to disperse. Then for a brief space matters became* rather lively. In the midst of tho hubbub somebody switched off tho light, and chaos reigned. Ultimately tho boys loft tho building and proceeded to Panama Street, where a kind of al fresco openair meeting was held. A section of the meeting aro reported, to have demanded an instant strike, as the only salvo to their wounded dignity. Happily, however, the more moderately-inclined wore in the majority', and a resolution was declared carried, to tho effect that a petition bo drawn up, which is to bo presented to tho officer in chargo this morning, praying that the official shall hi; at once transferred to another Department. If this is not done, a striko is •felt (by tho boys) to bo tho only alternative. Talk of striko naturally led to discussions on pickets and free labour. Just what will happen to any "free labourers" who should try to break the strike is not stated. "Someone said they'd get follows on motorb>kos to deliver the telegrams," said ono of the hovs. "Well, lot 'em," he continued, "Christmas will snnn bo hero, and there-'U soon bo 4000 messages a day to chase round with."