Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1890. The Maritime Council.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 19 August 1890, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1890. The Maritime Council.

~» Tt ia with great pleasure that we learn that the Maritime Council have withdrawn from the position they first tooV un in the dispute with Messr* TVhitcombe And Tomb's. It is sometimes dangerous to retrace one's st^ps but in this instance we hod that the interests of Unionism has been far advanced by the exercise of second and better thought" Wo append Mr Millar's letter on the subject: — "In view of the present naturally unsettled state of the public mind, the Maritime Council are of opinion that they are justified in officially intimating t^e course they int»nd to adopt to Whitcomhe and Tombs. The Council have Riven this matter close and carfful consideration, and have looked into it from every possible point of Ti'ew, with the result that they have arrived at the following conclusions : — That no general strike will tako place ; that Messrs Whitcombe and Tombs have determined to attempt to run their business on non-Union Hiips. and thus enter into unfair competition with their fellow-traders, to the detriment of tli« latter and their enrdoyi''* ; tboy lmvo r«jeet«d arbitration, which has been twico offered, bare defied the T'ninn, and must abide the result; That Messrs Whitcombe and Tombs have deliberately made up their minds to bring about a general labour complication, re-gardk-si of the resulting disasters and consequent waste of time and money ; with characteristic seUisbn^s the firm aw content to d sovganise trade in tbn hops that they may hem-fit in some degree amid the general trouble. The Council will, with the help of the Unions, deal with tbi« enmpanv on simple hut effective lines ; they will not lie assist'"! to rlrnc; Union employers and employee into their own plight. Until they fall in with the general practice

of their trade this company will be com" pelled to stand out in miserable relief as the only firm in the colony who refuse to recognise the rights of labour and true principles of unionism. The Council appeal with cofidence to the public, whose comfort and welfare are wantonly sought to be imperilled, to mark th«ir appreciation of this «oinpany's tactic by refraining from purchasing their goods, or countenancing them in any way. To Unionists no such appeal is necessary. In conclusion, the Council desire to express their deep gratitude to the various labour organisations in Australia and New Zealand for their loyal, generous, and sympathetic support. Thanks are also accorded to the agents of Whitcombe and Tombs throughout New Zealand for their ready assistance. They will not be allowed to lose thereby, and will be fully protected against unfair competition by Unionists throughout the colony. The Council view with perfect indifference the probability of a few taunting them over moderation. The repmenta - tives of so strong and combined a body as the Unionists of this colony can afford to be independent. With their heavy responsibility they cannot afford to be rash or hasty in their movements, as by so doing they may injure the welfare of the whole colony. — I am, Ac, John A. Millar.' 1