THE RECENT MASS MEETING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1011, 24 February 1912, Page 3

THE RECENT MASS MEETING.

A FEW JOTTINGS

Universal satisfaction is expressed by flax workers of the decision arrived at by those who attended the mass meeting at Palmerston North on Thursday. Although the dispute is not Anally settled, the general opinion undoubtedly is that Mr Hally will effect a settlement without any further trouble.

At a mass meeting of workers, particularly when such a number as 500 are present, one would expect to see all kinds and conditions of men, and also that sweaters, dungarees, and such-like clothing generally associated with the horny-handed sons of toil, would be much iu evidence. Not so on Thursday. The men were well dressed, aud the down-on-their-luck type of individuals were, to use a time-worn phrase, “con spicuous by their absence. We understand that at the meeting three courses of action for the settlement of the dispute were put before the men. (1). A general strike of flaxmill workers. (2). A boycott ot the millers who are refusing to accede to the demands made, i.e., tbit Union men should refuse to work at these mills. (3). That the dispute should be referred to the Conciliation Commissioner Hally aud that he should be empowered to endeavour to pffect a settlement. The last course was practically unanimously dedided upon. Mr P. Hally has reason to feel pleased at the very enthusiastic manner iu which he was received by the men at Thursday’s meeting. After he had addressed those present, the question as to which course of action for a settlement should be taken was put before the men, and their was a great roar of “ leave it to Hally.” Mr Hally has been most successful in effecting the settlement of disputes iu which he has acted as mediator, aud no doubt the flax trouble will not be an exception to this rule. With the exception of three or four, the whole of the mills iu the district were idle on Thursday. At some of the mills which closed down a number of the men did not attend the meeting, but it is said they previously informed those who did attend, that they were willing to agree to any steps decided upon by the meeting. It is stated that at one mill the men were willing to work, but the miller absolutely refused to start the engine, aud told his employees that they had better go to the meeting. It has been stated that work iu and amongst the flaxmills is not conducive to good health, but after seeing the men who attended Thursday’s meeting, one cannot help coming to the conclusion that statements ot this kind are abso lately wrong. One could not wish to see a more stalwart aud healthy looking body of men than those who were present at the meeting. It is not so very long since that the “ flaxies ” were looked upon as anything but a well-behaved and respectable crowd of men, and even now a large number ot people who know nothing of the men employed in the mills have a very poor opinion of these workers. Had any of these people been iu Palmerston on Tnursday they would have -cftflckly changed their opinions, as the conduct ot the men was exemplary, particularly when the luige number present is taken into consideration. The conference between the representatives of the flaxmillers aud the workers, over which Mr P. Hally will preside, will be held at Palmerston North on Tuesday next.

Speaking to Mr R. H. Dalhousie, president of the Flaxmills Employees’ Union, before Thursday’s meeting, he informed our representative that there would have been no need for a mass meeting had the millers met them in a proper spirit. The whole trouble was, he said, that whenever a conference was held the delegates from the millers were not empowered to effect a settlement, but were present more as messengers from the Association. On the other baud, the Union’s representatives had full power to settle the whole question. Mr Dalhousie said this had been the position ever since the Union was formed. If the millers would give their representatives the same power as the Union’s delegates he had no doubt that all disputes would be amicably settled. Surely, concluded Mr Dalhousie, if the men can trust their representatives the millers should be able to do the same.

MR HALLY INTERVIEWED

After his return from Palmerston, Mr Hally was interviewed by a Dominion repoi ter, when he made the following statement; — “ Yes, I knew there was serious trouble threatening, and I went up to Palmerst n to do all in my power to prevent its taking serious shape. The men have now agreed to give me an opportunity to try to arrange a settlement, and, if the employers meet me in the same spirit, then I am sure that there need be no trouble anticipated.

“ There were 700 or Hoo men at the meeting, all of whom appeared, to my surprise to be of a different type of man from that which I had been led to believe was a true picture of the ‘ flaxie.’ They appeared to me intelligent, honest, well-found young fellows. They were of opinion that they were not being fairly dealt with, but, before taking an extreme step, or in other words ‘ going on strike.’ they were willing ‘ to have

a word with the bosses.’ In this respect at anyrate they showed some common sense.

“ My own opinion is that if the employers meet the men aud discuss the items iu dispute the result of the conference need not be different from that of a number of others that have taken place lately. If the parties meet, the rest of the business should be easy, I propose to invite both parties to meet me to discuss the situation next Tuesday at Palmerston, and I think they will accept the invitation. If they refuse, then my duty is done, I express no opinion on the merits of the case. I have only heard one side of it,”

What is likely to happen if there is no settlement.

“ The only answer I can give is the answer several workers gave to me to day when I discussed possibilities with them : ‘ take it from me, there will be very little flax to mill during the next five years in the Manawatu. From the temper of the meeting I should say without hesitation that the men will strike, aud that they will be unanimous about it. But no such proceeding may be necessary. The meu and their leaders are auxious to act iu a reasonable way. “ As a matter of fact, ray advice to the men, which 1 think will be acted upon, was to go back to work aud leave the settlement of the dispute to their committee.”