LABOUR AND DEFENCE

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1433, 7 May 1912, Page 6

LABOUR AND DEFENCE

IRONMOULDERS' ULTIMATUM. STRIKE RIDICULED. (By Telegraph—Presa Association.) Christchurch, May G. Tho decision of the Ironmongers' Union to take a plebiscite of its members on thu proposal that if the compulsory clauses of the Defence Act remain unrepealed by no.it Labour Day a strike should Ire declared is ridiculed in responsible Labour circles in the city. Even unionists who have some liking for the strike as an argument, and wlio are bitterly opposed to tho compulsory clauses, say tnat it would bo lolly to use the striKo 111 a purely political controversy. This opinion is not unanimously held, but tho great majority 'of tho workers' representatives who were questioned to-day declined to take tho suggestion seriously. Mr. D. G. Sullivan, president of the Trades aiul Labour Council, said that ho would prefer not to express an opinion on such a matter l>ecause a question of the kind—if anything came ot it—would j have to bo considoreii by the Trades and Labour Council, and it would scarcely lie proper for him to make a statement without tho express authority of tho council. Mr. Sullivan added that his personal feeling: was utterly against tho iilett ot a strike. A prominent Labour leader who was approached said that the iroamoulders' resolution was, in his opinion, "hot air." He did not believo that the members of llio union would have a word to say in favour of the proposal if the suggestion were submitted to a vote. Another Labour leader remarked that there was little chance ol trades unions generally falling in with the proposals, as they were divided on the question of defence. Personally, lie favoured military training, but not the present Defence Act. He wanted to see some scheme which could be democratically administered. Mr. Louis I'. Christie, and Mr. C. R. N. Mackie, prominent officers of tho National Peace Council, stated that the action of the union was taken without any instigation from their organisation. The Peaco Council was naturally pleased to sec the workers, through their unions, expressing their disapproval of compulsory military training, but it did not approve of any but constitutional methods being Employed to effect reform. It certainly would not advocate an industrial strike, but there were indications that the workers, or at least that section of tho workers sympathetically inclined to the Federation of Labour, were prepared to use tho strike as a weapon in the matter of military training, and for other purposes. A resolution was carried last evening by the Socialist party to the effect that in case of war the workers would "down tools." It was decided that tho resolution should be submitted to every Labour organisation in New Zealand.

FARMERS IN SUPPORT. SHORT SHRIFT FOR SHIRKERS. (Br TeleeraDh.—Sneclal CorreJDondeni.) Wanganui, May C. What it is hoped many prove a good counterblast to the noisy minority who are for ever crying down tho New Zealand defence system was uttered this morning at the monthly meeting of. the Waitotara County Council, which passed a resolution expressing appreciation of the stand talcen by Mr. Myers in carrying out the compulsory clauses of the Defence Aot. It was also resolved to send a cony of tho resolution to all Chambers of Commerce and public bodies in tho Dominion, asking their endorsement. Mr. W. Ritchie, chairman of tho council, in moving tho resolution, emphatically denied the statement going round that farmers were opposed to the defeuco scheme, aud referred in no kind terms to the youths who were refusing to' join. He said there was a certain class of milk-and-water youths who could play football in all kinds of weather, but v;hen anything came along—no me.tter if it was for the good of their countrv—that would in any way interfere with thtv'r kicking a bit of about they pleaded that they had "conscientious objections." The action of these youths, who in many cases were aided and abetted by their was more than contemptible. Councillor Ross also spoke in favour of the scheme, and advocated that all who could not serve should be compelled to leave the country. Councillor Morrison commended the scheme, and also the strong stand the Minister for Defence had taken up. He held that men who refused (o serve their country did not care whether they lost, their rights as citizens cr not, and did not regard this as a no unity at all. All who objected should be impi-i^ned. The views of these councillors were reiterated by other members present.