CORRESPONDENCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4528, 8 November 1930, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

(To the Editor)

iSir, —Once again prompted by the serious state of affairs that exists locally through the men not being allowed to work, and largely by the telegram semt to the Prime Minister, I feel the urge strongly to again return to the charge, and in doing so I put befoa'o the men and the public the conditions and tyranny by which they are held in bondage, and forced to accept starvation. In the first place I say 'definitely, the secretary notwithstanding, that should any men in the industry so desire, they can work on the co-operative basis. They can do so because the award has no power over themj, as the co - operative system is not included in it, and he has no legal right to interfere in any way whatever. Will lie ans Aver these, questions or will he deny that, he supported the millers deputation to the Prime Minister, when they were asking for a subsidy as they could not pay the award rate on the price of fibre? And will he deny at the lasi, meeting held in Foxton by the Union, that he again advised them not to work for less than the award rales? And will he deny stating that the men who are working on chi'pern live lines in a mill at Bulls were only making two pounds per week when as a matter of fact they had only been working three weeks, mid had neither shipped nor sold a single- hank of fibre, anti until they did so they knew not what the return would he for their labours. Will he deny that by forcing men to keep away from the mills at under award rates, that he is forcing them to accept wages for less than the General Labourers’ Award, and if they can do that why can they not work the mills at the same rates, as they accept outside of them? 1 like consistency, but when .1 see a body of men, filled with such dope as the llaxmill employees are tilled up with, it makes me wonder if that individual owns them body and soul. And when 1 know that one individual who is holding down more than his share of soft jobs can do so, I will use every legitimate effort to break his rule, a rule that seems to have sapped the spirit <>£ the men. To the sender of that telegram F say, that to strengthen his case he would be well advised to draw up a petition, get the signatures of those who are willing to work, those who are in want, state the reasons why they are starving and forward the same to the Prime Minister, and also ask for the suspension of the A ward. The very fact of the support given to the millers’ deputation by the secretary should be suffijeient to give their petition weight. He cannot have it both ways, despite his inconsistency in telling them not to work for less than award rates. There is another question that has heen put to me as follows: If the men are sent to work in the mills by the unemployment hoard, Avill they have to pay Lhe Union secretary their “hob” in addition to the unemployment tax? This, 1 think, requires to be brought before the Prime Minister., Buit I fail to see why the men should pay a tax for being kept out of work, therefore I would only pay the tax to the powers that gave me the work and the right to live, and the sooner the men arc allowed to go to work the better it will be. If I am not mistaken it will be at less than aAvard rates, and as the State will become the employer the secretary can fuss and fume, for the State is no party to any aAvard. Yours, etc., E.G. MARTIN.