NO STRIKES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 1928, 18 January 1919, Page 3

NO STRIKES.

RUMOURS OF LABOUR TROUBLE DENIED. THE “ONE BIG UNION” IDEA. When seen by a Christchurch Star reporter* on Thursday regarding the rumours of the possibility of a strike in the near future, Mr H. Hunter, who is secretary of the' Federation of Labour, said that many of the statements he bad recently read regarding the alleged (rouble that was brewing in the industrial world made bis blood boil. “These statements, believe me,” said Mr Hunter, “do not come from Labour sources, and there is not the slightest foundation in' fact for them. The ■whole trend of the modern movement is to strengthen the position of Labour, particularly on fhe’Jine of preventing strikes., Those who take a prominent part realise the essential need of a strong and woll-disciplincd organisation, and this tendency practically eliminates the possibility of strikes.” Air Hunter continued that this was the explanation of their desire lo get all labour organisations linked up into one body. • When this was achieved no one unit could strike.without involving all the other units, and it was obvious (hat this tended to prevent many small disputes developing into something more serious, as the matter wquld have to be very carefully considered by all I lie organisations involved. He did not know whether those who had been so anxious lo make statements about coming labour troubles were really desirous of such things happening, but many recent happenings certainly suggested such a. const ruction being placed mi their attitude. The action of the majority on the City Council, which was obviously inlended to deprive Labour of any represent at ion (in the Council, was a step of a very irritating nature as far as Labour was concerned. An- I other cause of discontent was the manner in which the returned soldiers had been treated by employers. “There seems to be an opinion strongly held amongst the rank and tile of employers,” Mr Hunter ■continued, “Ibat there is going to he a period of unemployment within the next twelve months, and that they will he able lo take advantage of (he opportunity that will present itseli to reduce wages and extend work* ing hours. Needless to say. any move in that direct ion will he. strongly combated by organised Labour, hut as far as any idea of any systematic effort lo tiring about a strike is concerned nothing in that, direction has been done or ever considered." Another prominent Labour man was seen by a reporter, lint lie slated that, although he was cognisant of the doings of the movement from one end of (lie Dominion to the other, lie had heard nothing whatever about any strike. “The whole tiling is absolutely preposterous,” he added, “and I think that it is simply another scheme to damage (lie movement.” Air J. Roberts, secretary of the Waterside AVorkcrs’ Federation, said he had nothing to say about the matter, and it was a question that ids organisation, and not lie himself would deal wilh.