CORRESPONDENCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1103, 31 May 1913, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

(To the Editor.)

Sir. —In replying to “Arbitrationist’s” (?) attack on the members of the. Foxton Waterside Union, for the benefit of that individual I will point out to him the necessity of being fully acquainted with the case and not rushing into print and abusing a body of men about a thing which concerned only those who are interested in such, but of course, that is only in keeping with professed “Arbi* trationist” methods. Now, sir, the plain facts of the case are this : A man was engaged along with several others to unload the S.S. Waverley, and was started working in the main hold which contained slack coal, when after working for a time be ordered into the afterhold in rough coal, which he rightly refused to do. At half past twelve’a meeting was held to consider his case. The men came to the decision that it was a case of victimisation pure and simple, the only excuse put forward by the ship’s officer was that he might drop dead—this man has been employed on the wharf for a long period and no complaint made by apy other skipper as to his ability.. 1,, myself, have worked alongside of him and will say that 1 preferred him to some “ Arbitrationists ” that I know of. Now, this “Arbitrationist” has the impertinence to sav that we have ho right to protect our fellow workers, and suggested that we dictated to the officers of the ship. Such i <s not the truth. Have we no right to defend ourselves when assailed, surely we have a little respect for our principles, which “Arbitrationist” would deny us. As to being the cause of a scarcity of coal in Foxton. by our actions is silly rubbish and a deliberate falsehood, but such is in keeping with “Arbitration.” He does not know the causes of a coal famine here, also the cause of the Indrabarah being stranded. Duiing the ten days following the strike shipping was delayed in the local port through stress of weather, but, of course, he does not know that, asleep perhaps. And why, during the mates strike which lasted over four weeks, did he not rise up in his wrath and condemn all and sundry, as he . now does when shipping was delayed exactly forty minutes, not hours. The rest of bis childish rambling can go for what its worth, but I must call him to his bearings in one respect, we as a union have not a paid official in our ranks drawing ten quid a week. In conclusion I may state that when a man does his work and in getting paid is told that this is his last job, clearly shows how the above case was of petty spile, but when it comes to such, well, we assert ourselves to right things irrespective of skippers on their maiden trips, or any other bombastic official connected with the firm employing us. When we sink on-our knees to any of them, then we will be fit for “Arbitration.” Thanking you Mr Editor for your space.—lam, etc., E. G. Martin, Secretary F.W.W-

Irrespective of the views of “Arbitrationist” or the present correspondent, we have good reason for saying that the man over whom the fuss was made had no right, owing to physical disability to be engaged on such work. He was just out of the hospital, was then and is now totally unfit for hard manual work. — Ed.H.l