TELEGRAPH MESSENGERS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9175, 26 August 1908, Page 5

TELEGRAPH MESSENGERS.

A THREATENED STRIKE. QUESTION OF A BONUS. The lads in khaki on whom depends the prompt delivery of telegrams in Wellington have caught the strike fever, having already threatened to hamper the usual smooth running of the Department's operations in Wellington, says the "Dominion." The trouble is alleged to concern the nonpayment of a monthly bonus which the boys, prior to April last, had received. One indignant little fellow, who talked as volubly as a Labour leader, when questioned concerning the trouble, stated that prior to April last he, with others, were in receipt of £1 per month bonus, in addition to £2 16s 8d wages, but that bonussaid to have been ofFered the boys during a period when they were very scarce —had been stopped since that month, for what reason he did not know, and in consequence there had been a growing discontent among the messenger staff. They were not all on the £2 16s 8d mark—-that was a matter concerning length of service, but as a 'rule hoys received a rise of 2s Gd a year, but he had received the bonus mentioned since he had' been connected with the service. The trouble was laid before the Secretary (Mr D. Robertson), and the boys are now awaiting the ultimatum. According to our youthful informant, about seventy boys intend to strike at midlay on Thursday if this bonus business is not satisfactorily fixed up.