FLAXWORKERS’ STRIKE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1732, 20 September 1917, Page 3

FLAXWORKERS’ STRIKE.

AHLLOAYNERS REFUSE INCREASE OF WAGES. A meeting of flaxmill owners in the Manawatu, Horowhenua, Foxton and Rangitikei, called by the N.Z. Flaxmillcrs’ Association, was held in Palmerston on Tuesday. Twenty millers were present. Mr A. Seifert presided. It was reported that a circular had been received by all owners from the Flaxworkers’ Union asking for a conference to discuss the demands made for an increase of 2s per day in wages. After very full discussion, the following resolution was unanimously adopted: —: That this general meeting of the N.Z. Flaxmillers’ Association has decided not to make any increase in the rates of wages now being paid, and therefore a conference would be useless, and wo greatly deplore the action of the members of the Union lately employed at the Miranui and Weka mills?. Upon receipt of the resolution passed by the Flaxmillcrs’ Association, the Workers’ Union convened a mass stop-work meeting to lie hold at Palmerston North on Saturday morning, at 11 o’clock, to discuss same. Air P. King, hon. secretary of the Miranui Committee, informs the Post that less than 800 men are employed at flaxrailling in tig; Manawatu even at the busiest time. The point that the men were not proceeding in a regular manner, lie states, was discussed with Mr A. Seifert by the men, and if Mr Seifert had shown Ihe least desire to meet them in any way (he men would have been glad lo avoid extreme action. Air King admits that the men arc almost equally divided as to the method or ladies to be adopted in endeavouring to obtain an increase of wages, but on (he main issue, the raising of mill-hands’ wages, thore is, lie states, no relenting. He contends that he can successfully combat the idea (hat the workers in the industry are paid abnormal wages. The tlaxmilling industry occupies perhaps the most singular position of all our primary industries. The plant is native of the soil —a natural product. Hundreds of acres of phormium tonax were ruthlessly destroyed to clear the ground for grazing or agricultural purposes. Of course, (hat was before (he market for this commodity was properly established. The fluctuating market landed numbers of men who had invested (heir all in the industry in financial difficulties, and many were ruined. Others hung on by live skin of their teeth, with Iho longing of the old mining fossiker to strike it rich some day. Very few of (he old millers came through the early (rials ahead of it. Those who have done so deserve every penny they have won. Of course, the Flaxmill Employees’ Union knows nothing of the hardships of the pioneers of the industry, neither do many of the modern millers. Their concern is of to-day. The industry has been built up lo its present position on the mistakes and failures of the past. The fortunate holders of flax land have done well out of royalty.. It has boon slated that one linn in this district has reaped a golden harvest from royalty from flax cut off their estate. The majority of millers are sandwiched between tlie owner of the green flax and the industrial union. The miller sells his fibre to the merchant tor export. Alillors arc not direct exporters. It will he seen therefore that the miller, with few exceptions, has to share his earnings with the owner of the green blade, the wage-earner and the merchant, and take all the risk. When one reads of (ho soaring price of hemp one is led to exclaim, “the miller is raking in the shekels.” Do the public ever think of the low price contracts, financial liabilities, and other worries which beset Iho miller? There are others in the hemp industry who are making much more out of the industry in paying times than the miller. When the lash is applied it falls on the miller. Bui some day live millers will unite in the true sense of the word and remove many of (he obstacles which now beset them and the industry generally. DISPUTE SETTLED. WORK RESUMED TO-DAY. Palmerston N., Sept. 19. Arrangements satisfactory lo both parties in the flaxmill dispute have been arrived at. Work at the Aliranni and Weka mills will be resumed to-morrow. [No doubt the mass stop-work meeting referred to above was convened prior to this arrangement being arrived at, and probably will not now be held.]