CORRESPONDENCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2452, 11 July 1922, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

(To the Editor.) PREFERENCE TO UNIONISTS.

SOME OBJECTIONS PRESENTED. Six’, —Your leader of the 4th inst., on the above subject, has interested us because it is a subject that we have Seal’d discussed from many Standpoints. The argument that by I lie “preference” Unions become close co-operations is not sound as applied to the skilled trades in general. At the same time “Industrial Tramp” of the Auckland Star is wrong in assuming that in all cases “preference” is granted only on condition that the Union is thrown open to any worker on payment of an entrance fee not exceeding 5/and a subsequent contribution not exceeding fid per week.” In a number of Labour Unions we know applicants for membership have to pay the 5/- entrance fee and twelve months subscription in advance. .Miners, Seamen and ‘Wntersiders’ Unions charge high fees on entrance. The Wellington Waterside Workers’ Union, we understand, charges £2 9s. Before the Arbitration Court in Dunedin an officer of one of the Waterside Unions said recently that a new member would have to pay £2 Ills fid. We have had cases presented to us of men being required io pay 5/- entrance, 20/- year’s subscription and levies amounting io 24/- or £2 9s down before they could start work. In a number of cases I hose charges have been a .cry serious burden on the individual in search of employment. Some have been slim out because l hey could not —or would not on pr'vieiple—pay these high charges. A considerable number have had to borrow the money in order to place li.onisolves in the pusiiion of being 'Mowed to earn their livelihood. We are not talking loosely on this subject hut know ihe facts (o be as hero presented. Those are -nine of the objections which have been presented to us against “preference to Unionists” :

1. That the principle enhances the power of labour organisations without oonfhi.ng their operations to purely industrial affairs, thus giving special advantages to the combinations over all other citizens. 2. That whilst the privilege was established for the purpose of ensuring industrial peace it.-is now abused to the purposes of fomenting class warfare and industrial strife. 3. That il enables labour bodies to exercise a power of compelling individual workers to financially and otherwise assist a political party and socialist policy they personally disagree • with. 4. That it operates tyrannically' in certain instances by preventing individuals from earning their livelihood unless , ihey submit to harsh financial

exactions. 5. T.'iat in practice it empowers a number of declaredly revolutionary bodies Io coercively enforce special powers of taxation and eommilsion towards ice advancement of their political and ndusfrial socialistic policies.

The -e object ions are such as cannot he lightly passed over. If they are not sound the onus rests upon the supnorfers of preference to unionists to show wherein they are wrong. As far as we have gone in the imitter is that we wrote every member of Parliament urging that if the legal sanction to “preference” is to continue it should he so qualified as to eliminate its burdensome effects and confine its operation within purely industrial limits. That plea, of ours will he recognised as moderate and desirable. The trouble. we find, is to get the politicians to consider the matter at all. With a few exceptions members of Parliament seem disposed to ignore the serious problem that is presented in- this question. We are obliged to you for opening up your columns to the discussion of the subject. We remain, N.Z. WELFARE LEAGUE.

Sir, —As, I might say, a new chum to Foxton, I am- able to look at local affairs from a different point of view from some who have lived here for many years. 1 would, therefore, like to make some comments, with your permission, on things as 1 view them with the hope that it. may do some good. So please, Sii% take my effusion in the spirit in which it is written. First I believe that Foxton has a bright futxii’e ahead of it. The seaside resort is a splendid asset to the town and provided interest is taken in the seaside .surroundings by a generous people, it will become one of the most popular resorts in the Wellington pi'ovinee. Foxton should now dismiss the idea that its future depends upon the hemp industry. I make bold to say that within the next decade, very few mills will be working. Flaxmilling has been a help and a hindrance to the town’s prosperity and that statement is an anomaly, but it is true. Foxton must look to other things for progress. There are thousands of acres of land quite handy which, under, scietifine treatment, could prodxxee ten times more than the hemp industry ever dd in its most flourishing periods. The acquisition of the Mouton estate for close settlement is one of your ti-ump cards. Under a proper banking and drainage scheme this rich and fertile land—second to none in New Zealand —can be safeguarded. Of course it means the spending of money but if it cost a quarter of a million for a water get-away, the increased productivity of the land

would more than justify this lai’ge sum. The land and climate about here is second to none for poultry farming and apple-growing. Belts of shelter trees or a proper scheme of afforestation is required on the exposed lands. An Act of Pai’liament could make it compulsory for large holders to plant if they will not do so voluntarily, in order to benefit the soil. With the port so handy industries should spring up in our midst and shipping increase. The Board is up against it at present, but tliere is a brighter outlook in the future. The hydro-electric scheme will provide cheap power to the farming and industrial concerns in the near future which will demand extra shipping. So far as the borough is concerned, you have some good publie-spii’ited men in the town and they should be encouraged. Listening to a conversation the other day, I was disappointed to hear unfair criticism engendered by envy and prejudice against men who should be encouraged and praised. It is impossible for progress to be made unless there is a better spirit of eo-opei’ation among the people. Let us all pull together, give credit where it is due to our public men and help Foxton to become one..of the best centres in (lie province. Yours, etc., CITIZEN.