A PROTEST MEETING.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1867, 29 September 1913, Page 8

A PROTEST MEETING.

THE NEW ARBITRATION BILL. WORKERS' VIEWS. 1 There was held last night a meeting called to protest against tho Industrial, Conciliation, and Arbitration Bill recently printed and circulated with (quoting Mr. P. J. O'Regan, the chairman) "the avowed intention of passing it into law this session."

Tho speakers were Mrs." Donaldson, Messrs. 15. Tregoar, Holland, and R. Semplo. The Waterside Workers' Band played several selections.

Mr. O'Regan said that by a provision in the Bill every strike possible would be regarded'as unlawful. "Personally, I don't believe in strikes, and one reason why I oppose this Bill is because I believe it is going to foment strikes. . . . It is calculated to drive the workers of this country into, industrial Btrifo. Mr. E. Tregear said that originally tho Arbitration Act was not intended for tho purpose of crushing strikes, but tho idea was to put before the country "a more excellent way than strikes." Speaking of the present measure he objected to tho right of the Judge of tlio Court to insert provisions into an agreement. When- there was no punishment-for-striko clause there were no strikes to speak of, but since then plenty. "What were the penalties now proposed ? One is that I, a private citizen imagining I have liberties, can't give ono of my shillings to the starving child of a striker except under a possible penalty of £500." The onus of proving that ono was not a striker was on the worker. A lock-out might result in a company being fined £500; but a striking union could be fined probably' £20,000. Which was ridiculous, "and you would fill your gaols before such fines were paid." (Applause.) Ho did not believe in strikes, but men who decided to down tools could not he stopped. He moved: "That this meeting of Wellington citizens unreservedly condemns the Industrial, Conciliation and Arbitration Bill now before Parliament as tho deliberate effort of tho Government to wreck .bona-fide unionism, and demands its immediate withdrawal or rejection. This .meeting further calls upon the organised workers of New Zealand to fight the measure at overy .stage."

According to Mr. Holland 2200 out of 44] 0 employers had been fined for breaking agreements. In the proposed . Bill one section of a union could bo given preference over another of the same body. If ten men ceased work that could be termed a strike, and the men had to prove it otherwise. If any organised body of workers wished to striko it would have to give seven days' notice. And then they would have to set out reasons. For. 3000 years attempts had been made to stop strikes, but they could no more be prevented than thunder and lightning. ."You have got to fight this measure or go back to the days of slavery. Tho only men who can support it are those eligible to rank as scabs." (Applause.)

Mrs. Donaldson called upon the women to "oppose this obnoxious Bill." Tho Government was by this measure inciting workers to rebellion.

Mr. R. Semple, who referred to tho Bill'as "this instrument of torture," to Parliament as "tho outfit .yonder," added a speech condemnatory' of the Bill. If tho workers knuckled down they were, he said, a shabby lot, not worth fighting for. Now was tho time for tho workers to stand shoulder to shoulder. • The motion was carried.