BETTER WAGES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2181, 4 May 1908, Page 1

BETTER WAGES.

BRICKLAYERS’ DEMANDS. AN EMBRYONIC STRIKE, At about midday on 'Saturday a small but excited crowd of bricklayers was to be seen talking near the corner of Gladstone Road and Reel street. The cause of the discussion was whether they would go to work on Monday morhing for the riding wages, or whether they would go on strike. Several of the men seemed to favor 13s a day or strike, while others seemed quite satisfied’- - with .what they .were being paid and the leader of the .agitation had hard work to get a sufficient show of hands to empower him to go to Mr Geo. Smith, the 'president of the Builders’ Association, and tell him that (lie men wanted 13s a day or they would not resume work on Monday. It appears that the men iirof became discontented early last week and knocked off work oil one iob on Thursday morning. Mr iSinit.h laid the position before the Master‘Builders’ Association and persuaded tho men to go to work tin-fail Saturday, telling them that if they desired an increase of .pay. they should give reasonable notice. The discontent seemed general, and a number of contractors were affected, it being considered by the builders that the men had waited for an opportunity when both.work and material were plentiful, to make their demands. After Leaning the report of tlie (leader of the men on Saturday, Mr Smith, on behalf of himself and other master builders, informed the men that lie could not agree to the demand, and tho men left. Hearing of the trouble, Mr Carmody, Inspector of Factories,. met tho men on Saturday night and discussed the .position with them and his wise counsel prevailing, Mr Carmody telephoned Mr Smith to meet tho men at his office. The position was then further discussed and the meU agreed to return to work this morning under condition entirely satisfactory to themselves and tho contractors.