TRADE UNIONISM AT THE CROSSWAYS.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 January 1929, Page 6

TRADE UNIONISM AT THE CROSSWAYS.

“ Trade Unionism does indeed appear to be at the crossways, and it is desirable that each of these ways should be considered from the national as well as the union point of view. The ultimate should not be altogether obscured by the immediate. Neither should the ambitions of the few be allowed to prejudice the industrial interests of the many. Any changes should be the result of consideration rather than of •accident; they should be arranged rather than allowed to happen, ff the leaders of existing craft or industrial unions, and their junior colleagues, feel that tlieir members’ interests as well as their own would lie advantaged by absorption into the general unions, or by allocation to some section oil the contemplated area unions, let them work intelligently lor this consummation. If. on the contrary, they feel that craft or industrial unionism is best for the people they represent, let them with all speed put their house in order and concentrate upon efforts to make craft unionism as efficient and as effective as it ought to be.”—Mr A\ . A. Appleton. Secretary of the General Federation of Trade Unions, in his quarterly report.

A good deal lias been heard of the way the Department had to draw on I the standby plant last summer because Mongolian could not supply all the cuiront needed. As was very reasonably pointed out, the difficulty experienced was in part proof of success. The abnormally dry .season had its affect on an undertaking whore the Water supply is not uniformly copious, but the position was aggravated because in every instance supply authorities were demanding far more current than they had guaranteed to take in their original contracts. To iind the maximum load for the year double the originally guaranteed load was a commonplace. Waikaromoana has been pressed to a speedy conclusion to meet this position. It is typical of what has occurred throughout the electricity supply scheme. It indicates the forward move to lie expected when a greater project than Waikaremoana. that at Arapuni, comes into operation. —Herald.