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COUNCIL EMPLOYEES

TO THK EDITOR OF "THE PRESS." Sir, —Thrice you have attacked Cγ Hunter and myself for "betraying the city," and thrice have you misrepresented the whole position. The facts are these: I am not a member of the Federation of Labour and have no voice in regard to tinions striking. My sympathies, however, have all along been with the men in their struggle to preserve free self-government. I am strongly opposed to tho action of the employers in their attempt to deny the men rights specifically conferred by statute law, namely, the . right to register under either the Trades Union Act or the Arbitration Act. Having briefly stated my connection with the strike, I wish to clear mj'seif of the false charge of having "betrayed the city." At midday on Saturday I met Cr. Hunter in Gloucester street and heard that the Council employees were holding a meeting to consider the decision of tho Drivers'.Union to stop Trork. Cr. Hunter stated that he had been invited to attend the meeting, but did not intend to go. As we were just about to depart a message came over stating that the was at the meeting, and that Cr. Otley and the City Surveyor were in tho Council yard. A group of tho men invited us to attend tho meeting, and wo listened to tho Mayor as he spoke to the men about the seriousness of tho step they were taking, and told them that there were.three or four men waiting for each of their billots. This procedure neither Cr. Hunter nor I took the slightest exception to; but when the Mayor pro-cecuod-to take rotes on the voices and generally took charge of a meeting of unionists, we protested that men should be allowed to transact their own business in the absence of their employers. Our advice was acted on, and a resolution carried oxcluding the Mayor and tho Councillors, Cr. Hunter and mysoK left immediately, but the Mayor and Cr. Otley remained in the Council yard. When the employees wero left to themselves thoy decided to make representations to 'their union regarding their' special circumstances, which in my opinion was a proper procedure. The Mayor is of opinion, however, that had he boen.>permitted to remain in the room the men would have come to a different decision, which, if true, only goes to show that the Mayor's presence was in itself an intimidation. Neither before' nor sinco that meeting have I advised a single unionist to strike. On Monday morning I sought to gain admission to the meeting of the Drivers' Union-,-held in the Socialist Hall, but. was refused. At the luncheon adjournment I learned that the onion had refused to exempt any of the Council employees, and in the afternoon I again applied for admission, which was granted. I # urged that, the sanitary, men should, in the interests .of public health, be allowed to go back to work at once, .and reminded tho meeting that the Lyttelton watersiders had exempted supplies for' the hospital and charitable institutions. I did not wait to see the vote, but I understand; that tho union unanimously agreed to - adopt my suggestion. ' '\ I have done nothing in connexion with the strike which conflicted with my "duty as a City etc., : « J.McCOMBS. [tV f e have .slightly abbreviated' our correspondent's letter by omitting ■•'■."-• from the..first:.paragraph; a state- : of his opinion oh the strike generally—a point that is not in ;.,, -question.—Ed, /'The Press."]' THE CITY COUNCIL DRIVERS. XO THE BDITOR OP "THE PRESS.' , Sir,—l think you owe.an apology to Councillor'McCombs,and myself in refefenco;tp your accusation that wo "betrayed the..city" by encouraging the City Council drivers to go on-strike. Neither of us did anything of the kind. Tho'.Mayor of Christchurch is tho person who has betrayed the city, and who is directly responsible for tho' spread of the strikp locally by advertising for the enrolment of special constables, and by the way, after doing ao,\ had tlie effrontery -to disclaim: responsibility for his action. It was tlio enrolment of "specials" which was directly, responsible for the decision of.the Canterbury Drivers' Union to cease work. I can prove conclusively that all my. influence, was,used to,obtain exemption for the Council drivers, and .1 am prepared to allow you to attend the drivers' meeting to-day and ask those in attendance tho question - . Your sneers about paid agitators are worthy, of their source. I suppose you aro not a paid agitator, I was invited. early in tho day to attend the meeting of employees in. the Council yard and declined, and can prove thai; Councillor/ McCombs and myself accepted tho invitation to attend only when wo were; assured that the Mayor and Cr. Otley were in. attendance, and We confined ourremarits to objecting to any intimidation Being offered to the men, end urging that it was not proper for the Mayor and the chairman of the Works Committee to conduct union business according to their particular wishes.-^Yoursj/etc.,r

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19131127.2.111

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14834, 27 November 1913, Page 9

Word count
Tapeke kupu
827

COUNCIL EMPLOYEES Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14834, 27 November 1913, Page 9

COUNCIL EMPLOYEES Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14834, 27 November 1913, Page 9

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