FLAXWORKERS’ DEMANDS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1730, 15 September 1917, Page 3

FLAXWORKERS’ DEMANDS.

STOP-WORK MEETING. PARTIAL STRIKE TO CONTINUE. A mass meeting of flaxmiil Avorkors called b\ the Union lo consider the strike at: the Alirnnni and Woka mills over the question of Avages avus held at Palmerston on Thursday. There avus a large attendance, npAvards of 500 men being present from all parts of the district, Hie mills that are not on strike closing doAvu for the day. After a general discussion a motion Avas put to the meeting that the strike ho confined to the Aliramii and Weka mills. To this an amendment was moved: “That the strike lie a general one.” The voting avus as foiloAvs: Cor a general strike 209 Against a general strike 208 The motion, “That this meeting agrees to a general strike,” avus then formally put to the meeting, Avhen it became evident that an influential section of (he flaxAVorkcrs were adverse to this course. Eventually an amendment avus submitted and carried unanimously to the foltoAving effect: That the strike he confined to Weka. and Miranui, and that a levy he made on Hie Avorkers at Hie remaining tlaxmills; that a. committee ho set up to open up negotiations Avitli the Avhole of the employers with a view to inducing them to comply Avith (ho demands formulated by the union; and that the question of a general strike bo bold in abeyance in I lie meantime. The flaxmiil employees in this district, almost Avithont exception, Avere averse to being dragged into Hie. Miranui and Weka mills dispute. Many of them expressed strong objection to Hie stoppage of Avork for Hie purpose of attending Hie mass meeting. There is a section of employees outside the Poxton district Avhom it Avould be difficult: to satisfy at all. The Union secretary lias circularised the millers, ashing for a conference Avith a committee set up by the Union, touching a demand for 15s per day for loAver paid employees. As far as avo are able lo ascertain" the millers Avill not accede to Hie proposed rise, and it is doubtful whether they Avill allend the conference, in aHcav of Hie fact that (be machinery of the Arbitration Court can deal with such matters. The a ward is just about up, hut: continues in force until a ucav aAvard is made. The industrial outlook is not considered serious.