CRAFT UNIONISM.

Maoriland Worker, Volume I, Issue 6, 20 February 1911, Page 17

CRAFT UNIONISM.

TO THE EDITOR. Dear Editor, —As is customary in this enlightened age, the country workers are somewhat perplexed to understand why Craft Unionism is so strongly condemned, especially in quarters where the country workers generally expect to find the one ideal of unity. But, alas ! what do we find, even in the principal Trades and Labour Councils in the Dominion ? Nothing but dissension, where there should be only one aim, and that unity, tending to solidarity and the main principle of self-reliance. Craft Unionism, we are often told, is productive of weakness, and altogether out of date. Why? Does its policy stand by trimming its sails to meet every breeze, or can it be simply said that it has outlived its usefulness as a means to an end ? I certainly hold that it has not done so as yet. Solidarity, no doubt, is required among the workers, but it can only be obtained by education and practical experience. Craft Unionism in the country holds its sway yet, and will do so for some time to come. As a means to an end, I do not for a moment contend that Craft Unionism has reached the highest goal that labour oould obtain, as it is only a palliative at its best; yet it still has a tendency to develop into solidarity, which the members must acquire by time and experience. It is a well-known fact., that concerns all the country workers, that the conditions we work under are decided to a very large extent by the strength or weakness of the state of any particular Union.

Yet those Unionists who have given much time and energy to the organising work of the country workers know something; of the difficulty of this undertaking, owing to the scattered position of the various workers in the country, who are yet in the chains of serfdom, bordering on slavery. Now, we may ask : When will the workers awake to their power and responsibilities ? Has the late enquiry into their conditions, caused by the Canterbury Farm Labourers' and other Unions, been forgotten, or can it be asserted that Craft Unionism is dead? Salvation will never come to the country workers by relying too much upon single individuals. They must rely upon their own exertions, and join their own Craft Unions wherever they may be, and become thoroughly organised. At present there is undoubtedly a great misconception existing among some of the country Unions of what is known as a Labour Party, but the power that this party is supposed to possess will not benefit the country workers one iota at the present time, owing, chiefly, to their disorganised condition, and they will, and must.

under this state of society, remain the bottom dog. A certain writer has said that the influences of environment is great. Only take, for example, John Burns, in Britain; Briant, in France; and .J. A. Millar, nearer home. These are striking illustrations. None of those men are what they once were —representatives of the workers. No, the cause of Craft Unionism must prevail for some long time to come yet, and the strength of the country workers lies in the direction of their own united effort, for Shakespeare said, "He who would be free must strike the blow." Now, once more, I wish to draw the attention of the workers in South Canterbury and other parts of the Dominion to this fact—that you testify by your membership in your organisation that you believe in the principle that union is strength. Now, will you help us to bring about an extension of Craft Unionism by doing your duty to yourself, and also to your fellow-work-ers, as your attendance is earnestly required at your Union's meetings, and you thus assist to facilitate its business and attempt to further the cause for the welfare of yourselves and the general improvement in our social life, which will benefit the general community.—Yours, etc.,

J. SMITH, Waimate Workers' Union