TRADES UNION POWERS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 832, 30 July 1910, Page 10

TRADES UNION POWERS.

Sir,—This is just a letter to yourself and readers, to try and teach what "Trades Union Powers" mean, and how .very far short you have fallen in understanding the position. X refrained from answering when a short time ago Tim Dominion- uphold the poor (?) worker who did not vpay his contributions, but your leader of to-day's paper must bring forth comment. Why was it at the very commencement you refer to a case brought by the "Builders' Union" on Monday last, when it was the "Builders' Labourers' Union" who brought.the case? A lot of difference you will see for yourself, and for vouv various mistakes I would make some allowance, but for the fact that the articlo was written nearly two days after the case was settled. Time enough for any responsible representative to think before jumping at conclusions.

Let us first look at the various unions from a business point of view. A man joins on the understanding-and knowing ho has to pay dues amounting to so much per week, and knows also if 1' runs into arrears he has to bo excluded, according to the Arbitration Act. Apart from this, let anyone ask themselves the question—that no matter what affair they join—if they do not abide by the rules their membership ceases. Would your company or any other exist totally, length of time if the affairs were carried on in an unbusinesslike manner? Because a man joins a union and does not pay his liabilities he is to be commended for such. When you speak of

"injustice and oppression of the principle of preference to unionists" you speak from your own standpoint. You,, sir, ought "to know that whatever advances and privileges the workers have at present have been gained by themselves alone, and those privileges are shared by all; so that because a man does not pay his dues, the hnrsh and unfeeling union takes the case to Court to get their own. You speak of the coercion of the "free labourer." How nice it sounds, but where would the free labourer be to-day if it was not for the various trade unions all over the world? As member of a management committee I can refute your statement' of the harshness of taking cases to Court. When a member has had bad luck and not the means to pay his dues, the case is never taken to Court, but every member has every chance given to make good his back arrears by paying what he can afford. By your showing proves this, as the case you refer to is one where the man has been in constant employment for many months. How many of the business houses in Wellington would give six months' credit? But tho harsh union gives twelvo months' credit, • and tries in many cases to save the worker from himself. Your comment on trade unionism in England clearly shows your knowledge is very ■ elementary, so the least said the better, as there is no preference to unionists there; but while we have, it here by Arbitration Act, surely unions are only acting right to take advantage of the same? Trusting you will look at this in the spirit that is meant. — [ am, etc.,

C. G. AUGER, Chairman Management Committee Carpenters and Joiners. July 27. Sir, —I am pleased indeed to read your comments, in to-day's . Dominion • regarding trades union powers. Hut even your comments are to my mind very mild, for I have had sad experience of the Carpenters' Union, Many my trade. ' In fact I must join them, or I should not be able to work at my trade. In fact I must join tliem. I said I would no"t bo coerced into anything, much more join their union, and I never joined them to this day. What happened, Jit. Editor? I have met with persecution from all sides. If working for a boss I would be alright until some unionist got to know where I worked. Thou influence was used with tho said boas. Result", my rti.v missal and the preference clause was not then in force. However, I managed to got work, and l)y a struggle maintain a large family. After many years of this life in tho city I removed to this suburb, where I had respite for some years,' but latterly since the preference clause camo into force, I have had but a poor chance of getting work. The crowning point came a couple of months back when, after about two years of depression causing scarcity of work, I got into <teady work with a boss who valued my services. Said boss was waited upon by a gentleman from the union, tvlio then came to me. He told me ho must cite the boss for a breach of the award. I told him to leave .the boss alono and to bring me before tho magistrate or judgo, and I would then learn if a man was really debarred from earning his living at this legitimate trade. However, after the boss and I talked the matter over, I, not wanting tp get him into any trouble, left. The cruel part •of the thing is, I think, tbat any man can join a union, and no matter if ho is worth to his boss 6s. per day or morn, the boss must pay . tho full rate of wages to such a man. And tho bona-iido tradesman must work for the same wages. This, in my opinion, is most unjust both to boss and man. t Now, Mr. Editor,' I may state that since this last treatment from my fel-low-workmen (who don't believe in tyranny) I have taken the'trouble to write to some of the leading men in our Dominion for tlieir opinions on this matter. I have their answers and some say they do not hold with tho law in this matter, but as the law is at present nothing can be done. Now tlnm, Mr. Editor, I call upon you and the other papers of this Dominion to demand an alteration 111 said law, and that a man may have a chance of earning Ilis living. I do not object to the union, let men- band themselves together for mutual help if they like, but not to crush others out of their living if they will not join them. ' I venture to say nothing cruellei exists in llnssin, which is so often quoted for its tyranny. I hopo this letter will meet the eyes of some of our members of Parliament who believe in fair play and that they will be courageous enough to voice this matter in tho House and get the law amended. Thanking yon in anticipation,—l. am etc., ' fair play. Ilutt, July 27.