MR HICKEY'S VIEWS.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14841, 5 December 1913, Page 8

MR HICKEY'S VIEWS.

(PRESS ASSOCIATION XE-EGRAM.)

AUCKLANI). December 4. Mr P. H. Hickey, secretary of tho Federation of Labour, left for Huntly this morning. Before his departure he said that the offer made by the Hon. W. M. Hughes on behalf of the Australian workers to the Now Zealand employers was one which met with the entire approval of the executive of the United Federation of Labour. He commented briefly on the persistent manner in which employers in New. Zealand referred to the "Federation of Labour." The old Federation of Labour no longer existed, he said, but had been absorbed by the United Federation, which included Arbitration unions as well as non-Arbitration unions, and was so constituted as to bo able to conserve the best interests of each. Speaking to the waterside workers yesterday. Mr Hickey said "unionism is fighting for its. life, and- all workers should realise what this means, and play their part manfully. The employers have refused to consider any proposals, although the United Federation of Labour has agreed to stand aside if a settlement can be arranged with tho anions themselves. The employers appear to bo out to smash unionism, but the position of the strikers is stronger to-day than ever." : In connexion with Mr Hickey's statement, it may be interesting to recall his famous statement of Red Fed. policy:— "Of late there has been much talk of 'agreements,' 'industrial, peace,' •loyalty to employers,' and such-like phrases. Don't listen to them! Don't believe them! There can be no .industrial peace in Now Zealand while the Capitalist system lasts. There can be no ■loyalty' between workers and employers. Recognise that any agreement entered into is not binding upon you for a single instant. No, not if it were signed by a thousand officials and ratified by a dozen courts. The agreement is not pound. Only a fool would regard it as such. The moment an opportunity occurs to better your condition, hreak up your agreement. Break it whenever it will pay you to do so. If necessary, let us toss every agreement to hell!""