The Unionists.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 9 October 1890, Page 2

The Unionists.

Though we were quite prepared to learn that the conference of labour delegates and employers would end in nothing satisfactory being accomplished, we were not prepared for the views on the employment of free labour as given by the Unionists. Mr Millar said that the Unions would never give way and let their men work with non-Union men. This appears to be a most serious mistake on the part of the Unionists, not only from delaying their chances of obtaining early employment, but also as tending to prevent the spread of Unionism amongst the colonists. #'t the conference, when shown the numbers of free labourers that were employed, the Unionists urged that Unionism would grow stronger by the struggle, as these labourers from the country, having seen what Unionism was like in the towns, would soon form Unions, and the Unionists forced into the country would spread the doctrines far and wide. If this is so, it is difficult to understand the objection the Unionists have to work alongside non-

Unionists, as they should be as amenable to the attractions of Unionism as those living in the cou. .L\y. If there is anything in this statement, any belief in the great advantages to working men to belong to an Union, surely it would be but little laager to Unionists to accept the offer made by the Union Company. If employers dreaded Unionism so much as Unior.ists declare they do, they evidently have not shown it in their offer to employ non-Union and Union labour together. We fear that the Unionists are endeavouring to hold out, simply owing to their having been too hasty in the estimate of their strength at the commencement of the strike. This offer we believe is still open, and however difficult it is to admit a failure, it would be more creditable for the loaders of those on strike, to give way whilst there is time to allow of a considerable number returning to their old employment. The public will have no sympathy with those who refuse work because employers are not base enough to discharge the men who only took the work thrown up by others.