OPINION OF MR. VEITCH, M.P.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1897, 4 November 1913, Page 7

OPINION OF MR. VEITCH, M.P.

THE LESSON FOR' .WORKERS. (Br ToloEraph.—PrOßß Asaaolatim.) Wanganu!, November 3. Mr, Voitcji, M.P., interviewed, said ono lesson that would undoubtedly be learned from tlio present position was that the time had arrived for something to ho done to put the arbitration laws intOj working order, and, to meet the requirements cf the times, for tho whole position of tlio relationship betwficn Capital and Labour to bo rovieed. Ho expressed tho opinion that in tho present strike tlio shipowners hucl not aoted in tho interests or the public- any more than tlio strike leaders had. tlio former wero now trying to got back • increases that wero given tho men somo tinio a;r.o, Ho had a great deal of sympathy with the watersidors iu t-hoir present unfortunate position, but believed tho titriko method could i.tcvo.r succeed as a permanent solution of labour troubles. Tito only offiectivo course for the workers to pursue was to combine to get better representation in Parliament. Parliament should place tlio watersidors—aiid, in fact, all casual labour—in a sbinider position as regards, continuity' of employment. Be thought it-was quite practical to attach this kind of .labour to 0110 of thoso departments wliich would givo them tho benefit of superannuation and a guaranteed minimum Wage. On tho other hand, tho Stats should establish a steamship service if the public welfare was not considered more by the ship-owners. Mr. Voitoli added that he was a firm believer in arbitration.