N.Z. Osborne Case

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 11, 19 May 1911, Page 12

N.Z. Osborne Case

By WARRIOR. Mr. J- Osborne, of Greymouth, deserves the congratulations of all thinking Unionists upon his victory over the Greymouth Wharf Labourers Union. The damages awarded are not S^^t ; personally the writer is pj-eaeed they are not, though thej , were undoubtea deserved. It was the principle which one hoped to see ymdicated. Whilst at all times recognising that Union dis-ciplin-e must be maintained, yet when men are persecuted by a Union because of their advocacy of advanced measures, it is time to revolt. It is alleged that in the Greymouth VVhart Labourers Union a system of espionage was instituted whereby those who dared to whisper the words "industrial Unionism" were pointed out to the employers' representatives by Union officers as dangerous agitators. Rumor was rife upon the Grey wharf that the Socialists and Industrialists were- to be ''starved out/ Since Osborne was the life and soul of the section which, disagreed with the dominant faction in the Union, and since his backing kept

increasing, it is stated that all sorts of efforts were made to get him shiftod. It was shown in evidence that not only did Osborne's wages fall since his active participation in opposition to the Chamber-of-(Jommerce Secretary of the Union, but all of those who w&r© known to support hini noticed a decidied "tightening" in the labour market. Amongst the. vast majority of West Coast Unionists "Jack" Osborne's victory will be warmly applauded, knowing as they do the facts of the case. It is to be hoped that "Jack's" many friends will not allow him to suffer financial loss through this action against a branch of the Greym-outh Chamber of Commerce. The fight was looked upon by a vast number as a. test as to whether or not individuals who dared to differ from the- Chamber of Commerce- had a right to live. Good hick, Jack Osborne-; your Osborno judgment will at least be welcomed by all Unionists staunch, and truo.