UNIONISM.

Maoriland Worker, Volume I, Issue 6, 20 February 1911, Page 3

UNIONISM.

Recent events in the industrial world here have been underlining with, a red pencil the necessity of more advanced organisation. Suggestions have for years been made in many quarters that Trade Unionism is not making any adequate preparation for the coming conflict with its historical enemies. Had this adequate preparation been made, it is difficult to believe that the Patea wharf labourers. the Mauawatu ilaxmill employees, the Canterbury shed hands 3 and many other (sections of workers would now be in their present plight. As might be expected, where no strong, unwavering lead has been given in reputedly responsible quarters, the amount of preparation has depended merely on the zeal and energy of individual trade unions, and been limited necessarily to those unions. The great mass of trades unionists are content to excuse themselves for inaction and indolence by a cheerful expression of the belief that "something will turn up.' No doubt it will. The shed hands case has already turned up, and the other "somethings" which turn up will be of a like nature.

Had this adequate preparation been made, it is difficult to believe that the Patea wharf labourers. the Mauawatu Jlaxmill employees, the Canterbury shed hands 3 and many other (sections of workers would now be in their present plight. As might be expected, where no strong, unwavering lead has been given in reputedly responsible quarters, the amount of preparation has depended merely on the zeal and energy of individual trade unions, and been limited necessarily to those unions. The great mass of trades unionists are content to excuse themselves for inaction and indolence by a cheerful expression of the belief that "something will turn up.' No doubt it will. The shed hands case has already turned up, and the other "somethings" which turn up will be of a like nature. Country workers, and all other workers, will be able to dictate reasonable terms of employment when they are all united in one strong organisation, embracing, at least, the workers of all the "vital industries," an organisation of which we already have the nucleus in the New Zealand Federation of Labour. Then, and not till then, the present motto of " United we stand, divided we fall," will have gathered such an intensified meaning that the last clause may be deleted once and for all.