VISITING THE MILLS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 383, 9 May 1908, Page 3

VISITING THE MILLS.

Barring the Union Secretary A Protest. Wellington, May 8. The Manawatu Flaxmill Employees Union wrote to the Wellington Trades Council complaining of the attitude of certain mill owners in refusing to allow the secretary of the Union access to the mill workers during meal hours. It was pointed out that it was essential to the well-being of the Union that the secretary should be allowed to visit the mills, otherwise members had no opportunity of keeping in touch with the affairs of the Union. The Council last night decided to acquaint the Minister with the circumstances and protest against the action of the employers. In conversation with the Secretary of the Employees’ Union this morning, Mr Robinson stated that the trouble arose by reason of his paying periodical visits to the mills throughout the district, for the purpose of collecting dues and enrolling new members. Mr Robinson states that he has never interfered with the employees at any time during working hours. His visits are made cither at lunch time or after “knocking off.” Mr Robinson, in reply' to a question, stated that he had been given a quarter of an hour in which to quit Messrs Swainson & Sevan’s mill, at Manakau, about three weeks ago. He stated that there was only one other mill at which he had been treated with discourtesy, although the threat had been made that he was to be “blocked” from visiting any of the mills. For this reason the matter had been referred to the Wellington Trades and Labour Council as staled above.