WATERSIDE FEDERATION.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1902, 10 November 1913, Page 8

WATERSIDE FEDERATION.

NEW WELLINGTON UNION INVITED TO JOIN. WELCOMED BY OLD UNIONS. (Bt Teleerauli—Press Association.! Wanganul, November 9. The following telegram from tho Waterside Workers' Federation, signed by the signatures of 'the President (D. M'Car.thy, Napier) and tho secretary (Geo. M'Kay, Wanganui) was dispatched last night to the secretary of tho new union of Wellington waterside workers:— "Without prejudice to tho New Zealand "Watersido Workers' Federation, in ,th« event' of the suggestion herewith not being approved by you, our Federation (comprising the watersiders of Wanganui, Napier, Gisborne, and the Bluff) believe the affiliation of your union with us would be the best stop possible at the present time, in the interests of tho workers of the Dominion. Tho present position has been forced upon. Arbitrationists by an organisation with which we have no connection or sjmpathy. That organisation .was fully aware that there existed such a thing as a New Zealand Waterside Workers' Federation, the unions of which are bound by agreements under the Act, and are therefore acting; against the law, and under a severe penalty the moment they discriminate against any cargo or cease work—Rn entirely different position from that they wero in themselves. But, in .the face of all this, thoy bring this t'roublo about, and ask for our assistance. Th-> Federation. unionß have stood loyally by the Act. Wo believe if watersiders generally had not abandoned tho Act in. favour of the extreme policy «.f tho; Federation of Labour, tho present crisis would not have arisen. Without expressing' any opinion on the merits of the initial cause cf the trouble, wo believe an equitable adjustment could hav© been secured without precipitating a crisis. If all waterside unions registered under the Act became affiliated the effect will be to_ show our fellow-workers in the Dominion that adherence to law and order I is tho best means of settling tho present dispute, and preventing the recurrence of a similar disaster. All the ports would bo kept open and employment would bo available to men who have gone out against their wishes and connections, and the moral effect would be to help materially to hasten the termination of a grave industrial deadlock. If your union approves of affiliation you are at liberty to accept this as an acceptance of your application. Please wiro to the secretary."