Unionism.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 262, 14 November 1901, Page 3

Unionism.

(To the Editor of the Times.) Sin,—l am told that the builders of Gisborue held a meeting lately, the object being to form a Builders’ Union, for the purpose. I presume, of protecting themselves against the audacious demands of the workers. Quite right, but what about the workers? They. appear to havo no rights whatever in Gisborne, so far as I can see. t have heard of a firm of builders, contracting in Gisborne, who send their men perhaps fifty or sixty miles to a job only lasting two or three weeks, and expect them to pay all their own expenses. If the men should happen to pluck up enough courage to ask for their ex’s (which is very uncommon, I believe!, they are looked upon as presumptuous beings. The very idea of a workman entertaining such an exalted idea fairly staggers them, and they come to the conclusion that be is not tit to be employed by humble contractors. And then, too, the majority of the men employed by the said firm are paid at the rate of eight shillings per day—a few more and sotuo less. Oh, ye gods ? Just fancy men supplying themselves with tools and working for such a sum, a wage which any good

laborer can command, who has nothing whatever to rind in the way of tools, ideally, Mr Editor, it is an awful wonder everybody does not turn carpenter, there is such a mine of wealth in it. Just fancy n whole eight shillings for a day’s work ! Oh. what a magnauimous lot of gentlemen some of our contractors are, to be sure ! But, sir, I think it is high time the workers woke up to their own interests ; they have been asleep long enough—mothinks I can see them rubbing their eyes. What is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. Perhaps it has never dawned on them, or perhaps it is for the want of someone to suggest the formation of a union. If so. I beg to offer the suggestion to them right away. There are unions in most of the towns in New Zealand, and why not in Gisborne too, pray ? With a union they will get their just dues. If some of them will move in the matter and convene a meeting for some Saturday night, so that men working in the country can attend,' I for one, although a stranger in Gisborne, will be most happy to attend. Hoping you will insert this in the interest of the workers, if I have not trespassed too far on your valuable ' Ipace, and thanking you in anticipation, . —I am, etc., A Downtrodden' Carpenter.