Manifesto Of the Wellington Tramway Union, I. U. W., to the Workers of Wellington, of New Zealand.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 3, Issue 48, 9 February 1912, Page 5

Manifesto Of the Wellington Tramway Union, I. U. W., to the Workers of Wellington, of New Zealand.

Tho tramwaymen of Wellington are on strike —not because they wished Lo strike, but because duty and principle pointed that way. The tramwaymen patiently exhausted every alternative ere deciding that the call alike of manhood and unionism irresistibly compelled definite and drastic action. Only when it could no longer be borne did we utter a word of protest against a detestable system of espionage and pimping which, strengthening in the service firstly, and in the country secondly, would have made the workers' lot unendurable. A service which exalts the spy and the informer grows intolerable when the results menace the credentials and character, reputo and livelihood of employees. The world over, organised Labor has at intervals been called upon to take action against degrading espionage and pimping when falsehood has been added to the degradation. The City Council of Wellington has handled our case without sympathy or understanding. It has shown vacillation where wo stood to receive fair play. It has exhibited arrogance when goaded to it by the capitalistic Press. Reports reflecting upon our integrity have been published and paraded which, by their miserable insinuations, tended to cover us with suspicion and dishonor. Tho Council's conduct of the Fuller controversy lias been such as to belittle us and injure us in the view of the public. We had to protest or be cowed and craven. We are not against the public. We are of, by and for the people. We are citizens. We are part of a democracy in whose achievements we glory. We are portion of a municipal undertaking we would have grandly creditable to oti^city— a city wo work to see as the realised ''great city" of Walt Whitman. Thus we know that no enterprise, even a private one, can be efficiently and successfully run in which overseers «x----asperato and demean the men. Mogt of tho councillors wore returned boasting of their determination to make tho train ways administration thoroughly efficient, and instead they have made it almost a byword and a reproach.

Our fight is not against the city, but against the City Council, and against it only so far as it is an employer bent upon crushing our selfrespect and good name and ramming down our throats an inspector whoso very presence in a responsible post provokes irritation, hostility and incipient mutiny.

Unionists of New Zealand! So desperate was tho position, yet so deliberate our action, that we have risked fines, imprisonment, hardships, and loss of employment rather than submit to the insult and outrage the Council would permanently make our working condition. We have staked all on winning the recognition of our assertion of manhood and organisation—wo have staked all on securing your approval and your support. We must triumph if you say the word.

We ask the workers not to assist in the making of a scab city and in the maintenance of a scab service. Wo ask them to make common cause with us. Labor is one.

Neither by working themselves nor by accepting tho scabbcry of those who lower themselves to work should men and women aid the City Council to fasten upon the municipal employees —the people's servants—and tho city character-stabbing and tyrannical methods.

Every unionist must link-up against the attack upon Unionism, and give no quarter to the councillors who would establish a huge municipal scabbery, nor any consideration to the deserter and tho traitor.

Backed unitedly by the forces of organised Labor in Wellington as wo are, we are confident that this of itself will ensure your moral and financial support.

Organised Labor affirmed that our fight bad to bo made, or Unionism bo imperilled.

The organisation must be greater than the unit.

Workers! Citizens! Do not be misled by tho Press in its campaign of misrepresentation and dictatorship. Tho present situation is largely Press-made. In the interests of those ever alert to the disabling of Unionism, it sooled on the Council to revoke its own verdicts, and by its evil power made councillors recant upon "their own professions and

pledges. It has deliberately forced the, light it now denounces as unlawful and unjustified. The struggle is serious. Tho law may Ik> invoiced against us. Tho people will bo inflamed against us. This is tho hour for tluit working-ela.-.s unity and courage xitd generosity which has made solidarity invincible. W. T. YOUN'lr, President Trades and Luhor i.'ouncil and Chairma.n of htriko Committee. A.. SUTHERLAND, •Secretary Tramway Union and Strike. Committor. '.Vellingt-m, Febrmiry 1. 1913.