THE AGITATOR.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 509, 20 November 1909, Page 3

THE AGITATOR.

EMPLOYERS’ VIEWS

At the conference of the Employers’ Federation held in Wellington yesterday, Mr J. Miller (Auckland) moved, and Mr D. Goldie (Auckland) seconded, the following motion; — “ This meeting, representing the employers throughout the whole of the Dominion, desires to place on record its high appreciation of the following remarks made by Mr C. C. Kettle, Stipendiary Magistrate at Auckland, on September 21, 1909, in connection with an alleged breach of the Hotel Employees’ Award :—■

“ The labourer is worthy of his hire, unity is strength, and workers are entitled to safeguard

and maintain their rights by all fair and legitimate means, but

the meddling, mischief-making agitator, who, through excess of zeal or under a mistaken sense of duty, foments discontent, and

encourages a spirit of hostility and antagonism towards employers, instead of cultivating and promoting a conciliatory spirit and good feeling between employer and employees, is an enemy of the employer, a greater enemy of the employees,

and a curse to the community.’

This conference considers that Mr Kettle is entitled to the best thanks of employers and workers alike for his plain out-spoken and fearless condemnation of labour agitators of the class that descend to such tactics as were disclosed in the case that was heard before him. Attention is also directed to the fact that Mr Kettle’s remarks are supported by the following statement recently made by Mr Justice Pring, of Australia : 1 He lives on keeping up strife and the sooner you awake to the fact that this agitator who lives upon your hard earnings is your

enemy, the better for you.’ ” A deputation was appointed to wait on the Prime Minister, the Minister for Labour, and the Minister for Mines in furtherance of the resolutions of the conference.

The proceedings concluded with votes of thanks to the president (Mr W. G. Foster), the advisory board, the Parliamentary Committee, and the secretary of the federation (Mr W. Pryor).