'The strike of the casual Inbourers employed at the western depot Carler Road of the Public Works De. partment yesterday came like a. bolt from the blue, Most of the strikers have been engaged in' road repairs. An official of the department disclosed yesterday that the walk-out was en-Urely unexpected, that he was at a lees to understand why should strike, adding that any differ-fences which' the department might have had with the men were settled several months ago. when the men struck. The terms of settlement conduced to 9 permanent understanding between the workers and their em: ployers.
The P.W.D. strikers did not walk out en masse. A number of the men fabsonted from work in the morning. Others who had reported for work gradually drifled away during the morning. As in the other eases no demands have been presented to the employers "There is all sorts of intimidation going on among the men themselves" the oficial said adding, "We don't Know what has started. No demands have been presented and there is no possible reason why the men should be on strike. Only a few months ago they were out and. everything was seitied nicely afterwards. The last time they wanted more wages owing increase in the price of rice. They et what they: wanted and T don't see why they should suddenly strike
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.