NO THREAT OF STRIKE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 97, 18 January 1919, Page 8

NO THREAT OF STRIKE

OFFICIAL LABOUR STATEMENT.

. Reports that, industrial troublo was looming ahead were denied emphatically in Christchurch on Thursday'by Mr. H. Hunter, secretary of the Federation of Labour. "These statements," said Mr. Hunter, "do not come from Labour sources, and' ■ thero is not the slightest foundation in fact for them. The whole trend of the modern movement is to strengthen the position of Labour, particularly on the line of preventing strikes. • Those who take a prominent i>art .realise' the essential need of a strong and well-disciplined organisation, and this tendency practically eliminates. the possibility of strikes."'

Mr.' Hunter added that the prevention of sectional strikes was one of the objects of the attempt ■ now being made to improve Labour organisation. When this .was achieved no one unit could striko without involving all the other ,units, and it was obvious that this tended to preyihit many' small disputes developing into something more serious, as the matter would nave to be very carefully considered by all tho organisations involved. Ho did not, know whether thoso who had been so anxious to make statements about com., ing labour troubles wore really desirous of such things happening, but many recent happenings certainly suggested such a construction being placed on their attitude.

"There seems to be an opinion strong, lv held-.amongst the rank and file of employers," Mr. Hunter continued, "that there is. going to: be a period of unemployment within tho next twelve months, and that they will be able to take advantage of the opportunity that will present itself to reduce wages and extend working hours. Needless to say, any move in that direction will be strongly combated by organised Labour, but as far as any idea of any systematic effort, to bring 'about a strike is concerned nothing in that direction has been done or ever considered." '