THE BREAKWATER STRIKE AT NAPIER

A Public Meeting of Sympathisers. SPECIAL TO Til E N/CVV '/KAUNuTiMKII, Napier, October 1 ft. A public mooting was hold to-night of the men interested in tho breakwater ntriko and sympathisers, about 400 being present. Tiio proceedings throughout wore most orderly, arid tho general tone modo rato. Reasonable and ad dresses woro delivered by Mr H* Cohen (who occupied tho chair), -Father Grogan and tho Doan of Wai/ipu, each of whom spoke strongly in favour of tho justice of tlie men’s claims. Two of the men also spoke, stating tho precise circumstances and tho nature of their grievance, adding that tho contractor had offered to guaran tee a week's work, as against tho men’s request for a fortnight. Tho following resolution was carried unanimously amid loud applause:—“That this mooting of breakwater employees respectfully asks Mr Saunders to allow thorn to return to their work in a body, fully recognising his right to dismiss any man or men who, after fair trial, may be found to bo incompetent.” Later. Tho general opinion is that the public meeting to-night, which, on account of the moderate) tone of the speakers, was a credit to tho men and their sympathisers, will have tho olfoct of healing the breach, and that to-morrow will sew the end of the difficulty and tho resumption of work. By Tele<jraoh.~l’r**H Association. Napier, October Id. Though Mr Saunders, breakwater con tractor, Agreed to raise the wages of tbo workmen from 7s to H.s a day, lie intimated that he did not intend to take on several who had proved incompetent. '1 be men believed that this meant that he intended t«» dismiss tho leaders in tho strike, and they refused in a body to return to work unless ho agreed to give all at least a fort night’s work, which lie declined to do.
