THE STRIKE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1181, 6 December 1913, Page 3

THE STRIKE.

EMPLOYERS’ ANSWER TO HON. W. M. HUGHES. The following is the copy of a cable message dispatched on Thursday evening to the Hon, W. M. Hughes, Australian Federal M.P>, and chairman of the Australian Labour Conference (now sitting in Sydney), by the executive of the Employers’, Farmers’, and Citizens’ Defence Committee: “M. M. Hughes, M.P., Sydney. “Employers throughout the Dominion thank you for your lengthy and explicit cablegram of 2nd inst., which has had their careful consideration. This committee desires now to make it quite clear to you that in cabling you our statement of the position it was not our intention to invoke your assistance or to provoke trouble on your side. We were aware, of course, that delegates from the Federation of Labour were with you, and we desired to prevent any misconception and to meet any misrepresentations by placing before you a clear statement of the position—a statement which we have no hesitation in k -saying we are prepared to substantiate. The employers of the Dominion have decided that they cannot, and will not, retire from the position that has been forced upon them. Owing to the refusal of the Federation of Labour to recognise the binding force of agreements, the employers repeat that they cannot in any wav recognise the Federation or any unions subject to its control. They have solemnly pledged themselves to stand by the new Arbitration Unions, and cannot recede from, that undertaking. There is consequently nothing left for arbitration, as employers know of no grievances that are standing in the way of strikers joining new unions, but, if there are any such grievances, they should be formulated and presented to the employers for consideration. If such grievances cannot be removed by any other means, this committee will consult with other committees as to whether they should be submitted to arbitration. Employers submit that, as the work of the principal ports of the Dominion is . now being effectively carried on by the members of the new unions in ample numbers, there is therefore —notwithstanding your assertion to the contrary —no present waterside dispute in existence, and, consequently, they fail to see any reason why the Australian workers should involve themselves in the trouble. “(Signed) Foster, Chairman,