STRIKE POSITION

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21367, 11 March 1941, Page 6

STRIKE POSITION

MEETING OF MEN OTHER UNIONS INTERESTED DECISION IN FEW DAYS (By Telegraph.—press Association) WELLINGTON, Tuesday Apart from apprentices and trainees, who are not included in the strike at the Hutt Railway Workshops, fewer than 20, out of a of 800, reported for duty at the shops this morning. A meeting of the men had been called for 10 a.m. outside the workshop gates but whfen the men assembled it was transferred to Hutt Park, where it was held under ihe pine trees. The chairman announced that the executive had been informed that the Emergency Regulations had been invoked, declaring the strike illegal and therefore no reference could be made about the merits of the dispute. He also announced that Superintendent C. W. Lopdell, of the Police Department, was present, but he was sure that nothing would be said that would cause the cancellation of the meeting. Contacts had been made with other railway workshops In the Dominion and also other trade unions and the attitude of these would be known in a few days. Officials of several other unions were present at the meeting and said the matter would be considered by their unions in a few days. The meeting was conducted in a most orderly manner. A picnic at Hutt Park has been arranged for tomorrow. The men who had been working on munitions have received a letter from their union instructing them to remain on the job while the national executive meets and issues any subsequent instructions. “The Inspector of Munitions says that the men so employed are under the jurisdiction of the Defence Department and any refusal to perform duty would render you liable for any penalties the Army authorities may decide,” says the letter. No further developments are expected until after the executive councils of the A.S.R.S. and the R.T.Ak meet independently tomorrow. A joint conference is proposed for later in the day.