FLAXMILL WORKERS' THREAT

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2801, 20 June 1916, Page 7

FLAXMILL WORKERS' THREAT

FIRST DUTY OF THE GOVERNMENT

During last- week the- Primo Minister (Eight Hon. W. F. Massey) received a latter from the secretary ■of the Manawatu Flaxniills Employees' Union, forwarding a copy of tne following resolutions:— .

"That this meetins of flaxworkers, after having carefully considered the Conscription. Bill in detail now before the legislators, and its passage through the House, is of the unanimous opinion, that it is not 'a military necessity, nor does it aim at equality of sacrifice, but is a measure designed for tho purposes of raising a cheap army and protecting the enormous war profits .of tho wealthy shirker from legitimate' and just taxation/ Further, that it is an after war measure,, with, the intent of shackling the wage workers, abolishing trade union protection and restrictions, and making workers subservient to the commands of the military authorities. In our opinion it out-Prussias Prussia, and wo pledge ourselves, to a united resistance of its operation."

"This union draws the attention of its members and the general public to tire fact that the Government insists on exemption tribunals doing their work in secrecy, and to the fact that no reasons are to be given for the refusal or the granting of exemptions. This union protesta against star chamber methods as calculated to result in favouritism, for the rich and discrimination against the workers. ..It demands a public hearing for every application and the publication in the,. New Zealand Gazette of the reasons explaining the decisions of the tribunals."

"That this meeting pledge itself by signature on form provided to immediately go on strike the moment that tho Conscription-;Aot is enforced to compel any man against liis wish, or conscience to join tho Expeditionary Forces, and that all flasmills be circularised calling on members not present to give a similar undertaking. . Ihis meeting further pledges itself to act upon any further suggestion which may be considered necessary to obstruct tho Bill." Prirhe Minister in Reply, In reply Mr. Massey sent the following letter:— . . '.'Sir,—l am in receipt of your letter of . June 12, covering copy of resolution* said to have besn 'carried unanimously' at 'a inrgo mass meeting' of tho members of your union; held in Palmerston North on Saturday last. ''Permit me to remind you and. through you, the membors of your union, that the first duty of the Govern, meiit.is to: preserve 'Jaw and order, and to : maintain constitutional authority in the country, and that, it is bound further .'.to protect and defend the nation against its enemies, both from without and within.' In passing the Military Service Bill, the National Government, has considered first (as was its bounden duty) the public' safety, with which tho welfare of the community is inseparably, associated, and you may rest assured that, when lit reaches the Statuto Book, as it will do- in' a few days, it will be administered by the Government with the strictest impartiality, without fear or favour,' aid in the best interests of the nation, from which I hopo the members of your union do not wish to dissociate themselves.

"I note that your first resolution claims that the meeting of flaxworkers at which it was carried,' 'having carefully considered the Conscription Sill in. detail* now before the legislators, and its passage through the Houso, is of Lho unanimous opinion that it is not a military necessity,' 1 etc. From my personal knowledge of the affairs of this country, extending now over a period of twentytwo years, during which. I lmvo been -continuous!}; a member of the House of tleoresentatives, I am satisfied that no measure that has ever come before Parliament has received more 'careful consideration,' first at the hands of the Cabinet, and then in Parliament; than this Military Service Bill, which you condemn in sweeping terms. I am further satisfied that the .country, as a whole, is solidly with'the Government, in tho steps it is taking to preserve the safety of the nation, and to help- the Empire in its grave hour of peril, and that,' in the execution of that supreme duty, it will be fully supported by public opinion."