THE COMPULSION BILL.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 22 June 1916, Page 2

THE COMPULSION BILL.

(To tho Editor). •Sir,—Tho above subject and .whom it direetly concern®, and why it s to bo on the Statu to Book is the order of the day, or of reference. 1 read with interest youT loader on the action or contemplated action of the Flaxmill Employees' Union, with reference to this bill; the'leader appealed to me as being ,oaio\vluat of a heart-to-heart talk to probationers rather than to incorrigibles; do you know that these latter treat patting and rubbing the fur the right way with simply contempt and disdain. Notliifig but straight from the shoulder methods is possible to meet an emergency with those who indirectly are aiding the enemy. I have seen Mr Jlassey's reply to the circular or resolution of this union; it is characteristic of the head of tlie State, and theirs of the clement of law defiance and disorder. I saw his reply to these ol' the same typo ot' patriotism of Point Elizabeth, and if tho F.E.U. is numerically stronger, do tlu-y tllrnk it is p< ssiblc to set at defiance any legitimate decision (on the merits or demerits of their ultimatum) that the preservers of law and order decide to enforce. Tho voluntary system has been open for all truo patriots since the war commenced and now compulsion is decided upon will the local members of this union (of whom one or two rushing into print thinft they .are extremelv clever) "tell in your columns the number that has gone to fight tlie battles of New Zea<landi and the empire: the true duty of those fit amd eligible under the preexisting voluntary system. It will be probably found that volunteers ;an be counted on one's hain<l, but don't resort to Hun-lying; teli the truth and shanie" "W.M.F. '

~"W."Xf.F." goes by past experience of members of the W.F.U., whom he has seen daily, and noted their trend of policy, or want of it. 1 saw them at Shannon smashing the carriage windows oF a train passing; it mas one of their sympathizers that placed a vehicle on the line to upset the train, but was frustrated by a show of force oru one individual. Tokomaru had contribute:! also somewhat towards '.his wrecking, and let me say these Shan-' non members gloried in their work, and c nskleiedi that they had shown ocular demonstration of their sympathy to the waterisiders, and the •-jarriage examiners at the Wellington terminus. I was doing night sentry-go at tliij Shannon dairy factory at that period. Also, I was in charge of the Druids' Hall, Shannon, which necessitated my attendance (more or -ess) when the agitators were ".giving it lip," and ; issued printed matter re exploiters. Then, and now, who are the exploiters? The imported "spouterg," whether .male or female, who at the present tstage of our country and empire's progress or fall have been and arc to-day the aiders and abettors of these who would hinder recruiting of New 'Zealand's quota. As an Imperialist, speaking broadly, is this a time for such resolution? Specifically, who is not for us, is against us. In South Africa 1 had ocular demonstration ®f those whose armed neutrality was worse than open hostility. Well we have the enemy within the 'gatesr- to deal with. It must be plainly understood I am not biased against trade unionism. I have been a worker when there was no unions—bencher for a '2-stripper null, and flax-tailer at tlie first mill in Bulls, the same capacity at Lake William (4-stripper) and the wages earned now and the accommodation provided are far superior; you live in better times; and don't mistake me, it is not the agitators (spongers on your bounty) that got you this. Probably when compulsion, is in evidence, their job may disappear, arid you and I will be no no the worse. • For I "blame them as being the causes and of friction against mutual esteem between employer -and employee. "W.M.TV' is put "on his own," if necessary, aud not easily intimidated, and it is sorry evidence of the intelligence of the scribes who try to differ, that they should plagiarise so much from my contribution. Theiy lack initiative, have no sense of" humor and have .need to buy a few considering caps to" c«ver their epare crop of practical knowledge.—l am. etc., W.M.F.

Levin, June 20, 1916.