UNION NOTES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 458, 8 May 1909, Page 3

UNION NOTES.

[This column is edited by tlie I'laxmills Employees’ Union Executive. All mutters for publication under this head must bo torwarded to the Secretary of the Union. I

At last we have definitive information that the labour Department is citing Messrs Broad and Reeves under two heads. The cases, which involve very important issues to all our members will be heard at the next sitting of the Arbitration Court in Palmerston North. The Department, like the mills of the almighty “grinds slowly.” It is to be hoped it will justify application of the rest of the quotation and “grind exceedingly small.” CAUSE AND EFFECT! On Monday last Mr H. Greig, President of the N.Z. Flaxmillers’ Association, paid a visit to his mills in Foxton. On Tuesday last Mr W. Ross offered to his scutchers a contract at 23s per ton for scutching and pressing. After giving the suggestion their earnest consideration they informed Mr Ross on Wednesday that they were not prepared to accept less than 28s per ton. We understand that as the price offered to Mr Ross was only ids Wellington he could not see his way to pay the award rate and will hence close his mill down at the end of the present month. Whilst regretting this necessity we would point out to our members that an instance like the foregoing speaks volumes for the courage, the philanthropy, or the business ability of those millers who are preparing to run their mills right through the winter at award rates. MAKE GOOD.

At a special meeting of the Union called by advertisement on Saturday last for Monday evening, it was unanimously decided to strike a levy for the benefit of the men who were left without work in consequence of Messrs Broad and Reeve’s recent lock-out. Nonattending delegates were duly notified of the tact by letter and we would impress the necessity for prompt remittances* The men in question were placed in a position which left them peculiarly adapted for a “squeeze.” They were married men, living on their employer’s land with the winter close upon them. Messrs Broad and Reeve may well be excused for making the mistake of thinking that they had the men in a sufficiently tight place to put before them the alternative “scab or go.” Well, they went. Now its up to us “put in your putty” and by doing so justify yourself in the belief that should you or your mates be placed in similar circumstances the Union will be at your backs every time and all the time. THAT CONTRACT. “Bought like a bullock, hoof and hide, “By the Little Tin Gods on the moutain side. These lines of Kipling’s just about express the actual meaning of the contract proposed by the FlaxmilJers’ Association. Space forbids us to give the whole of the production (it occupys some three pages of typewriting ! ) but one or two items are worthy of note. Twenty-five per cent, of all money earned is to be held by the employer until one month after completion of the contract. Should a contractor break the numerous conditions attached to this precious effusion he forfeits this 25 per cent together with any other money due to him. This is annexed under the imposing title of “ liquidatory damages.” A contractor (unfortunate wretch ! ) may not even die or become bankrupt without a special reference to such contingencies in the contract. We shall deal with the document in full in our next week’s notes. In the meantime we would call the attention of the Association to one or two omissions upon their part in the compilation of this brochure. There is no mention made of the particular brand of theology which contractors must affect. No stipucation has been made as to the way in which contractors may or may not dress their hair. And while death and bankruptcy are both provided for, the equally disasterous state of matrimony has been left untouched I We feel sure that it is only necessary to call the Association’s attention to these points to ensure them getting careful consideration when the next Ipt of contracts are printed. To the man who contemplates signing one of them we simply say “Porirua gapes for you.” AN EXPERIMENT. We purpose opening the meeting room three nights per week, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays with a view to finding out whether there is anything in the idea of a social club in connection with the Union. There will be daily papers, The Bulletin and mazines on tap. For those of us who have “unlimited supply of that sort of time which is not money,” there will be chess and a man to play against. There will also be the necessary materials for bridge and crib. We’ll try it tor six weeks—take it or leave it! Your Union dues are the only subscription. The room will open for the first time on Wednesday evening next. Members may introduce friends who are not members of the Union.