AUCKLAND LABOUR TROUBLE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1383, 8 March 1912, Page 4

AUCKLAND LABOUR TROUBLE.

g ■ - STATEMENT BY FEDERATION OFFICIALS. Br Trietrranh —Pres« tMoctatlon.l Auckland, March 7. Messrs. Webb and Parry (president and vice-president respectively of the Federation of Lnbour) were interviewed this morning with regard to the meeting of general labourers which was held last night. Mr. Webb-(speaking for himself, and Mr. Parry, on behalf of the Federation Executive) said that the feeling of lust night's meeting was that a firm stand was necessary, and had to be taken at all costs. They were resolved that they would sparo no pains to avoid troublo if it was possible to do so. They were quite convinced, after a thorough investigation, that the general labourers of Auckland did have a grievance, and a grievance or such a character that it was of importance to all members of the federation and to all workers in Now Zealand. The whole position was placed before tho men last nighti and the men unanimously decided that tho whole matter should be left in the hands of the Federation Executive to deal with. It was contrary to fact to suggest that the general opinion was that tho time was inopportune to insist upon their demands.' The meoting was omphutic that the time was opportune to put up a fight in tho interests of the general labourers of this town. Mr. Fraser (president of tho General Labourers' Union) said that tho resolution passed at the mooting was one of complete confidence in tho ability of the executive of the federation to handle the matter, and members present fully realised that the federation was making tho union's fight the fight of the federation. It is rumoured that the Government intend to intervene in the present unsettled labour conditions at Auckland. The supposition is heightened by the fact that tho Hon. J. A. Millar'(Minister for Labour) is already at Auckland, while tin Prima Minister leaves for tho northern city to-day.