The Manawatu Herald. Tuesday, February 20, 1912. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1009, 20 February 1912, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Tuesday, February 20, 1912. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

The strike microbe is iu the air, and the latest rumour iu reference to industrial unrest is in connection with the flaxmilliug industry, Doubtless the dearth of unskilled labour throughout the Dominion, and the big cheques knocked up by grass seeders of late has caused a certain section of flaxcutters to be dissatisfied with their lot and to believe that the time is ripe to make certain demands upon their employers for improved labour conditions. It may be mentioned that those who have expressed dissatisfaction and upon whose behalf the Union executive framed the demands, only represent a small proportion ot swamp hands. The majority of those engaged in this branch of the industry, we believe, have no cause of complaint. This is borne out by the statement made to our representative by Mr Dalhousie, a member ot the Union executive, who says that the grievance is against a few of the millers. Possibly these minor matters could have been satisfactorily arranged had those dissatisfied laid their troubles before their employers instead of bringing the Union Executive into it, Saturday’s conference touching some of these demands, between the union and the association, resulted in a deadlock, and the union has now summoned a mass meeting of the men, to be held at Palmerston on Thursday, to discuss what further action shall be taken. Hence, there are all sorts of rumours afloat as to what may happen. Should the industry be held up as a result of the dispute, it will be a serious matter for the business people in this district, where so many of the people are employed. We are informed, however, that a large number of those employed in other branches of the industry are absolutely opposed to the Union taking extreme measures, and that a strike, if suggested, would not meet with anything like unanimity. So far as the millers are concerned, any increase iu the cost of output, in view of the present condition of the market, is practically out of the question. In fact, during the past three years, they have just about been holding their own. The outlook is not serious, and the talk about a strike is confined to those who show a dispositions to fight with their own shadow.