AN EXPLANATION

Hokitika Guardian, 8 September 1921, Page 1

AN EXPLANATION

MJ{ MtCTLI.OHOIL’S HESIGNATION. [JIY TEMiGltAfll—PKit PRESS ASSOCIATIONJ CM IMSTCH HUGH, Sept. 7. Mr J. A. McCullough. who has jest resigned from oltiee as workers representative on the Arbitration Court has I sent the following letter to Mr Heberts. Secretary of the New Zen land Alliance of Eahonr Conference at Wellington : Dear .Sir.—l desire to make known to the members of the conference, and to till other trade unionists, the fact that f have felt it necessary to tender hit resignation as member of the Court of Arbitration. With a. view to removing any feeling that may arise in the minds of the workers that T have acted hastily, or deserted in the fr.ee of the enemy. I propose to, submit to you the reasons which It ive actuated me in what I have done. The Court, has decided to reduce the wages of shearers and sited hands hv approximately ‘JO per cent. This appears to me as such a flagrant reversal of the Court’s pronouncement to HaiulH wages, that T felt the ordinary d,-smit-ing judgment which I have recorded is ipiite inadequate to meet what I believe to he an absolute betrayal b\ the Court of the working people of this

country. f remenihci' well the shock of disappointment ocensianed by the Court’s refusal to honour The promise of the Os bonus for November of last mar. and which it eventually reduced to As. plus Js, said to he held in a sort oT suspense account. I hat is my opinion. is but a circumstance, compared with the present happening. At the next six monthly period, a further Ms accrued bonus was shown to be necessary, making os then due. I litwas again with-held, and carried forward (in the employers' pockets') to the credit of the workers, who were assured that, in lieu of this payment, wages would he stabilised, and lie reduction in wages made until April HH. 1022.

While not approving ol thi- mopo--,il, as a whole. 1 was persuaded I" accept il without dissent, lieeause 1 had unbounded confidence in the puomise of my two colleagues that it secured the worker absolutely against any reduction in wages during that period. I want to emphasise this point .because it was solely on accoiin. of this “geutlemnu's ngreeuieut" which it was impossible for ns to put in writing, because to d“ so would have deprived the employers of iheir Statutory right to appeal to the Court for reduel ions in accordance with Goveminent Statistician’s figures.

To put it another way. I had gambled with the workers’ means of life, heeau-e I had unbounded confidence in the integrity and honour oi my two colleagues on tlm Court. I ndeed. I have stated to ropn .-dilative trade ttnioiiisi-. end at several namtings. that if -in h a breach m covenant Id occur :i - ha- 11,, V. ocrliried. I Would 11-111 111 -. 1 any buerer to In- a—ociat. il v, r: a Tribunal so r.vklis- of a i-“ made.

I know the expressions used ay-MI-t mo 10 p|.,,vo t Imt no sttcli ttnw rn ten nil diTsiaiidilig ;is I allege was even I repeal with einpltasis that this sol-

emn undertaking was given to me. I k,ii it was this under Ia k ing w 'licit lu : 1 11 \ induced me to concur without o],, n dis-eiit. in the witb-liel ling eh tbe As bonus; and that il is the Hagrant breach of ibis agreement vkieh ha- compelled me to lake the "ep 1 bare done. In -a, r,lieing the n-s.i i- n wbieli I always have I,eon pmud "• occtip.v. But, again, even assuming Unit tlm written pronouncement alone i- t mt--iciered, no jitsiifying “ext rant'd in arv ,'iic umslatices" were shown I" Lave arisen sine e the making ol it- t)n I lie contrary, the wool prices are row I I iegll e r t ban they were then. In conclusion may I say that I appreciate very fully all the kindn-sses dial have bcon shown to me during my term of nlliee.