FLAXMILLS EMPLOYEES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1566, 20 June 1916, Page 3

FLAXMILLS EMPLOYEES.

“MASS MEETING” THREAT

THE PRIME MINISTER’S REPLY.

During last week the Prime Minister (Pt. Hon. W. F. Massey) received a Idler from the secretary of the Manawalu Phixmills Employees' Union, forwarding a copy of (he following resolutions ; “Thai this meeting of llaxworkers , after having carefully considered (he Conscription Bill in detail, now before the legislators, and its passage through the House, is of the unanimous opinion that, it is not a military necessity, nor does it aim at equality of sacrifice, hut is a measure* designed for the purposes of raising a cheap army and protecting the enormous war profits of the wealthy shirkers from legitimate and Just taxation. Purther, that it is an after war measure with the intent of shackling the wage workers, abolishing trade union protection and res I riel ions, and making worker.-. subservient to the commands of tin* military authorities. In our opinion it oiit-Prussias Prussia, and we pledge* ourselves to a united resistance of its operation.”

•’This union draws the attention of its members and I lie general public to the fact jlml the Government insists on exemption tribunals doing their work in secrecy, and to the fact that no reasons an* to he given for the refusal or (lie granting of exemptions. This union protects against -4a r chamber methods as calculated to re.-nlt m favourii i-m for the rich and discrimination against I lie worker.-. It demands a public liearing for every application and the publication in the New Zealand Gazelle of the reasons explaining the decisions of the tribunals.” “That this meeting pledge itself by signal lire on form provided to immediately go on strike the moment that the Conscription Act is enforced to compel any man againd his wish or conscience to join the Expeditionary Forces, and that, all il;ixmills he eireulansed calling on members not present to give a similar undertaking'. This meeting further pledges itself to act upon any further suggestion which may be considered necessary to obstruct the Bill.” TO DEFEND THE NATION AGAINST ITS ENEMIES. la reply, Air Massey sent the following let ter : “Sir,—l am in receipt of \oiir letter of the 12th instant, covering copy of resolutions said to have been ‘carried unanimously’ at ‘a large mass meeting' of the members of vour union held in Palmerston North on Saturday last.

“Permit me to remind you and, through you. Hie members of your union, that the jirsl duly ot the Government is In preserve law and order, and to maintain constilnlionill authority in the country, and that il is hound liirlher to protect and defend Hie nation against ils enemies, both from without and within. In pa.-sing the Military Service Bill tiie National Government has considered first (as was its hoinideii duly) Ihe public safety, with wliicli the welfare of the community is inseparable associaled, and yon may rest assured Dial, when it readies Ihe Statute Book, as il will do in a few davs, il will he administered hy the Government with tin* strictest impartialily, without Lair or favour, and in Hie I test interests of (he nation, from which I hope the members of your union do not wish to dissociate themselves.

‘‘l note that your lirsl resolution claims I lial Die meeting of Jlaxworkers at which it was carried, ‘having carefully considered the Conscript ion Mill in detail now before the legislators, and its passage through Ihe llousi', is of the unanimous opinion that it is not a military necessity,’ etc. Croat my personal knowledge of tb<‘ allairs of (his country, extending now over a period of twenty-two years, during which 1 have been continuously a member of the House ol lieprest itlativos, I am satistied that no measure that hits ever come before Parliament Ims received more ‘careful consideration/ drst at the. hands of the Cabinet, ami then in Parliament, than Uifs Military Service Pill, which, you condemn in sweeping terms. I am further satistied that the country, as a. whole', is solidly with the (Government, in the steps it is taking to preserve the safety of the nation, ami to help the Empire in its grave hour of peril, and that in the execution of that supremo duty it will be fully supported by public opinion.”