WATERSIDE WORKERS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 161, 6 January 1912, Page 5

WATERSIDE WORKERS.

TROUBLE AHEAD. By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, Last Night. The waterside•-workers at,Lyttelton did not start work until after, 9 o'clock this morning, and cargo working was at a standstill; Instead of commencing at 8 a.m. it was announced* "yesterday that a general meeting of nVembers of the Lyttelton Stevedores' Union would be held to-day to discuss matters .relating to the conference which is to open at Wellington next Wednesday between the representatives of .the shipping companies, the waterside workers' nnions, and delegates from the • New Zealand Federation of Labor. The local representatives of several shipping firms pointed out to the secretary of the Lyttelton union (Mr. H. R. Voyce) that it was scarcely a fair thing to shipping companies and the port generally to suspend l work on the wharves in order to hold a meeting to discuss union matters during working hours. After consulting his committee, Mr. Voyce said it had been decided to hold the meeting at 8 o'clock this morning to ensure a full attendance of members, and it was not expected that the business would occupy more than half an hour. The meeting was very largely attended and was held behind closed doors, and lasted from 8 a.m. till 9.5 a.m., work starting on the ships immediately afterwards. Seen by a reporter, Mr. Voyce, secretary of the union, said the meeting, had fully discussed and defined the powers given to the delegates of the union at the conference with the employers. Messrs. H.: R. Voyce, F. Lurch and W. Agar were appointed delegates to represent the Lyttelton union at the conference in Wellington next Wednesday. They will leave for Wellington to-mor-row night in order to be present at a meeting of delegates of all the waterside workers' unions, which will be held on Monday to enable them to have conditions appertaining to the various awards ready for presentation at Wednesday's conference.