UNIONS AND THE WAR EFFORT

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 186, 3 May 1940, Page 8

UNIONS AND THE WAR EFFORT

It is plain that there is lacking in certain industrial labour circles a realization of the vital need today for national co-operation and. internal harmony. During the past five years under compulsory unionism most of the unions have made substantial numerical gains. Many of them have become prosperous organizations, exercising considerable influence, which, in the emergency of war, is capable of great effort for the national good. Is this deep responsibility being fully realized and adequately lived up to? Unhappily almost the only evidence forthcoming does not supply the hoped-for answer. It is true that after the outbreak of war more than one important union issued a patriotic declaration, It is also true that the gieat mass of New Zealaiftl trade unionists as individuals are heait and spirit with the cause for which the country as a whole is fighting. But officially the unions have given few signs of a practical readiness to assist in overcoming wartime difficulties in industry or in the general life of the community. The poor spirit which appears to be so widespread is exemplified by the leaflet issued to workers in the Wellington clothing trades. I his circular (the contents of which were published yesterday) urges members “not to participate in any scheme of employers to raise money for patriotic purposes,” and asserts that during the last war the employers got all the credit for the money subscribed by their workers. After referring to suggestions allegedly made by certain employers for regular systems of staff contributions for patriotic purposes, it exhorts the workers to “let the employers be patriots at their own expense—not yours,” and informs the workers that if they wish to subscribe it is entirely “their own affair.”. Many of the workers who received this letter may not be old enough to remember the magnificent response to patriotic appeals made by every section of the community in the Great War. . To them especially such sweeping allegations are harmful and conducive to distrust and disharmony as between employee and employer. Moreover, the effect of the circular is likely to be discouraging to voluntary giving, on which the comfort and welfare of the men serving their country in the Forces in part depends. It is a form of petty obstructionism fully deserving the public protests it has aroused.