THE STRIKE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1171, 13 November 1913, Page 4

THE STRIKE.

F ARMER S M A NIFE3TO. The New Zealand Farmers’ Union issued the following manifesto on Monday afternoon : “The Advisory Committee of the Farmers’ Union have seen it persistently stated that the present strife is a battle against unionism. As far as the Farmers’ Union is concerned, we give this an emphatic denial. The fact that we are ourselves banded together in union is sufficient proof that this is not the case. What we are concerned in is :

(1) To assist to keep law and order. The presence of

mounted men

from the

country, in which movement we assisted to the utmost of our power both in Wellington and Auckland, is the result, we are proud of the response, the admirable temper and discipline of the men, and the steadfastness of purpose they have shown.

(2) Authority having once

more been asset ted, the Farmers’ Union is determined to use its utmost endeavour to have the perishable dairy produce put on board the Home steamers. The

strikers have resisted this, but the work is now going on,

and, as far as lies in our power, we will continue to assist in this matter. En-

gagements have to be met,

and a disturbance to our trade would mean untold hardship in the country, and (as a con-

sequence) in all towns. "With the origin ol the dispute we have nothing to do, but we have even confidence that the committee which has the management of affairs, and upon which we have representation, will carry this disturbance of trade to a successful issue. We can assure the public that although we have no hostility to unions and unionism, the farmers are united and determined in this matter; that they will see it through at whatever inconvenience and loss they may be put to.

"On behalf ol the New Zealand Farmers’ Union.

JAMES G. WIESON, Dominion President."

DEFENCE COMMITTEE STATEMENT.

The following official statement has been issued by the Wellington Citizens’ Defence Committee, for public information "The cessation of work on the wharves and at the ships by the Wellington waterside workers was the result ot a strike by the men themselves, and not of a lock out by the employers. "The measures having been taken by the Government lor the protection of workers on the ships and on the wharves, the employers decided, always within the law, to resume work on the ships and on the wharves. "A new union of waterside workers was theu formed, and duly registered under the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act, and the members of that union proceeded to work on the ships and on the wharves.

‘•The employers, through their representatives on the Wellington Citizens’ Defence Committee, are now absolutely committed to that registered union, and that being so, they are now more determined than ever to stand farm for the principles of the Arbitration Act which they have demanded. “Being committed to the principles of the Arbitration Act, it is now impossible for the employers to enter into negotiations in the present difficulty with any other body than the newly-registered Waterside Workers’ Union, more especially as any unauthorised conferences which may have been held with the members of the old Waterside Workers’ Union have been misrepresented to the general public (including the workers directly concerned) in such a way as to deter some men who were anxious to resume work iu the ships and on the wharves from tendering their services through membership of the new union, “In view of the repeated dis turbances in the streets, and the calling out of a succession of unions of workers by their executives, the breach hitherto existing between the employers and the employees has been widened. “The Wellington Citizens’ Defence Committee now regards the strike as a struggle between the people or New Zealand on the one hand and the tyranny of the Federation of Labour on the other; moreover, the experience of employers in the past pt the manner in which agreements made between

them aud the uuious affiliated with the Federation of labour have been observed aud interpreted is quite sufficient to justify the refusal of employers to negotiate with the representatives of any union which is controlled in the slightest degree by that organisation.

“The attitude now taken up by the Wellington Citizens’ Defence Committee has commended itself to all employers throughout the Dominion aud also to a very large section of the general public, which has clearly expressed its unqualified approval of the stand made by the committee against the attempted domination of every industry of the country by the Federation of Dabour, In view of all the circumstances, it is now impossible for employers to take up any other stand than that they have now decided upon.

“So far as work on the wharves and on the ships is concerned, the newly - registered Waterside Workers’ Union ii open to all respectable and competent men to join. It provides good pay and working conditions ; and where srtislactory work is doue permanent employment is assured to members.

“The Wellington Citizens’ Defence Committee calls for the assistance and support ot responsible citizens in all parts of the Dominion in the maintenance ot law and order, to the end that the present unfortunate industrial crisis which has arisen may be speedily and satisfactorily settled.’’