FACTS FOR AUSTRALIA.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1920, 1 December 1913, Page 9

FACTS FOR AUSTRALIA.

A ROUT THE STRIKE. 'CABLEGRAM TO MR. W. M. HUGHES. With a view to making known to Labour unionists and others in the Commonwealth the facts regarding the piesont industrial position in New Zealand, Mr. W. G, Foster (chairman of tho - Local- Employers', Farmers'; and Citizens' Defenco Committee) has forwarded the following cablegram to Mr. AV. M.-.Hughes, -M.P., at Sydney. Mr. Hughes is now presiding over n representative Labour conference at Sjdnfl.v: — •'Wellington Employers', Farmers', and Citizens'.Defence Committee; representing a very large section of tho genoral i communitv. believing you must

be unaware of actual position in New Zealand, desires to inform you that arbitration by Sir Joshua AVilliams was refused by President of Federation of Labour when compromise was possible. Serious rioting subsequently took place, and continued until put down by tho addition of spccial mounted and foot constables to bo permanent police force. Seditious inflammatory speeches by' ■ Federation Labour leaders indicated lin possibility settlement by compromise. . . . At

conference, with Primo Minister in chair, employers demanded legist ration under Arbitration Act, which was refused by Federation delegates. Employers then asked Federation delegates to offer next best thing providing for independent tribunal without securing any response. At same conference employers also offered to submit question to secret ballot Waterside AVorkers' Union, but this 1 also was refused.- The only proposal mado by Federation delegates was to accept inoiicy penalty previously offered by ship-owners and rejected by Waterside Union, and which iiad since been found by bath sides to bo, impossible of enforcement. All attempts arbitration having failed, new AVatersido and Drivers' Unions 1 registered under Arbitration Act were form- 1 ed. Former has now membership sixteen hundred, latter two hundred fifty. AVhole wharf and carting work now teing .dono by Arbitration Unionists, thavforo 310 reason for Australian nnonists to refuse handle New Zealand cargoes. Employers being definitely I committed support protect new unions which are efficiently carrying* 011 work of principal Dominion ports, and as their registration fulfils only condition required by employers there is now nothing left to arbitrate upon, and therefore nothing left to submit to Sir Joshua AVilliams or any other arbitrator. Finally, as existence of Federation of Labour is in opinion of every large section of public a menace not only to business and industries of Dominion but to security of whole community, it is impossible for omployers recognise it in any shape or form. Employers' Defenco Committee hopes explanation will satisfy you that only course possible has been adopted, and requests you should have this communication published principal papers Commonwealth'for general information.—Foster, chairman."