THE ANSWER TO HON. W. M. HUGHES.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1924, 5 December 1913, Page 8

THE ANSWER TO HON. W. M. HUGHES.

BY THE EMPLOYERS.

CANNOT & WILL NOT RETIRE,

''POSITION FORCED ON US,"The following is the, cop? of a cable message dispatched last evening to the Hon. W. M. Hughes, Australian Federal M.l'., and chairman of the Australian Labour Conference (now sitting in Svdr.cy), by the executive of the'Empioyors', Fanners', and Citizens' Defence Committee:— "W. M. Hughes, M.P., Sydnev. 'Employers throughout tho Dominion thank you for your length-/ and explicit cablegram of !?nd inst.', which lias had their careful consideration. This comnuttoo desires now to make it quite clear to you that in cabling you our statement of tho position it was not our intention to invoke, your assistance or to provoke trouble on' your aide. Wo were aware, of course, that delegates from tire Federation of Labour were with you, and we desired to prevent any misconception and to meet any misrepresentations by placing before you a clear statement of tho position—a, statement which wo have no hesitation in saying wo are prepared to substantiate. Tho employers of the Dominion have decided' that they cannot, and will not, vctiro from the position that has been forced' upon, them. Owing to the refusal of the Federation of Labour to rccogniso tho binding ■ force of agreements, the employers repeat that they cannot in any way rccogniso tho Federation or any unions subject to its control. They have solemnly pledged themselves ■to stand by tho now Arbitration and cannot recede from that undertaking. There is consequently nothing left lor arbitration, as mniployors know of no grievances that ore standing in tlie way of strikers joining new unions, but, if thero are any such grievances, they should be formulated and presented to tlie employers for consideration. If such grievances cannot bo removed by any other means, this committee will consult with other committees as to whether they should be submitted to arbitration. Employers submit that, as tlie work of tho principal ports of the Dominion is now being effectively carried on by the members of the- new •unions in ampin numbers, there is thcrcfoie —notwithstanding your assertion to the, contrary—-no present waterside dispute in existence, and, coiise-, quuiitly, they, fail to see any reason why the Australian workers should involve themselves in tho trouble. "(Signed) FOSTER, Chairman.''