REPLY BY THE EMPLOYERS.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14837, 1 December 1913, Page 7

REPLY BY THE EMPLOYERS.

FACTS OF THE CASE CABLED TO MR HUGHES.

(press association teu-gbam.) WELLINGTON, November 29. Tho Employers' Defence Committee is sending the following cablo message to the Hon. W. M. Hughes, M.P., at Sydney:—"Thus committee, representing a very large section of tho general community, believing you must be unaware of the actual position in New Zealand, desires to inform you that arbitration by Sir Joshua Williams was refused by the President of the Federation of Labour when compromise was possible. Serjous rioting subsequently took place, and continued till put down by the addition of special mounted and foot constables to permanent police force. Seditious inflammatory speeches by Federation of Labour leaders indicated tho impossibility of settlement by compromise. "At the conference, with the Primo Minister in the chair, the employers demanded registration under the Arbitration Act, which was refused by the Federation delegates. The employers then asked the Federation deleeates to offer the next best thing, providing for an independent tribunal, without securing any response. At the samo conference the employers also offered to submit the question to a secret ballot of the Waterside "Workers' Union, but this also was refused. Tho only proposal made by the Federation delegates was to accept the money penalty previously offered by the shipowners and refused by the Waterside Union, and which had since been found by both sides to be impossible of enforcement. "All attempts at arbitration having failed, new watersiders' nnd drivers onions, registered under the Arbitration Act, were formed. The former has a membership of 1600. and the latter 250. The whole wharf and cartage

. work is now being done by arbitration unionists, therefore there is no reason for Australian unionists to refuse to handle New Zealand cargoes. "The employers, being definitely committed to support and protect the new unisns. which are efficiently carrying on the work of the principal Dominion ■ ports, and as their registration fulfils 1 the only condition required by tho employers, there .is now nothing left to arbitrate upon, and therefore nothing left to submit to Sir Joshua Williams, or any other arbitrator. "Finally, as the existence of tho Federation is, in the opinion of a very j largo section of the public, a menace I not only to the business and industries j of the Dominion, but to tho security of the whole community, it is impossible for employers to recognise it in any shape or form. Tho Employers' < De- ! fence Committee hopes this explana- ! tion will satisfy- you that the only course possible has been adopted, and requests that you should have its communication published in the principal papers of the Commonwealth • for general information. (Signed) Foster, , hairraan."