STIRRING UP FLAXMILL EMPLOYEES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1564, 15 June 1916, Page 3

STIRRING UP FLAXMILL EMPLOYEES.

TO OPPOSE MILITARY SERVICE RILL. AIR. THORN TO VISIT THE MILLS. At last night’s combined meeting of the Borough Council and Patriotic Society’, (-ailed for the purpose of taking combined action to assist the Government in completing the National Register so far as obtaining the names of all men of military age in the borough and adjoining district is concerned, the following letter, which is being sen) out to all Ilaxmill employees by the Flaxmill Employees’ Ftiion, was handed in and read ; “Dear Comrade, —At the special mass meet lag of (he above union, held on Saturday last, .June 10th, 1010, for the purpose of discussing conscription, the following resolution was unanimously carried : “That this meeting pledges itself by signature attached to form provided, that it will, immediately go on strike the moment (he Conscription Act is put into operation to enforce any man against, his wish or conscience to join the forces, and that all (lax mills he circularised calling on members not present to give , a similar undertaking.” .Further, this meeting resolves to act upon any other suggestion that may he considered necessary to obstruct the Act.

Acting under instructions from the above meeting, Mi’ J. Thorn or myself will visit your place of employment on Monday, June Iffih, for the purpose of gelling signatures (o the above pledge. Kindly notify the workers of our visit. —Yours faithfully,

“PERCY T. ROBINSON, “Secretary

It was pointed out that Mr Thorn, had already visited some of the mills prior lo the “massed meeting" held at Palmerston on -Saturday, with the object of causing opposition to the Alilitary Service Bill, the “massed meeting” was not well attended, and was not open to tin* press. This letter was the outcome of the meeting for the purpose of stirring up (la 1 employees and getting them to pledge themselves to defy the Act by going on strike if it is brought into operation. Guo speaker said that a majority of Ilaxmill employees iu this district were mil in favour.of the Fnion’s action and would refuse to take up the altitude which the, I’niott was endeavouring to thrust upon t hem.

The quest ion was asked whether the authorities were aware of what Air Thorn was doing, and in answer it was staled that the action of the Union was tinder oh-crvalion. It was unanimously resolved Ilia) a copy of the letter he forwarded to the Prime Aliuisler.