THE AUCKLAND TROUBLE — A SCHEME TO SETTLE THE STRIKE-BREAKERS.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 3, Issue 57, 12 April 1912, Page 14

THE AUCKLAND TROUBLE — A SCHEME TO SETTLE THE STRIKE-BREAKERS.

Sir,- —I have had a lift-long' experience with tho gentle cocky—the backbone of the Dominion as lie calla himself— and can claim to speak with knowledge of his habits and methods of procedure. Therefore, I would like to make public through your paper a scheme that would counteract the Farmers' Union in its intended attempt to defeat the Auckland workers should they dare to strike for reasonable conditions and vital principles. Should the employees force the men to go out on strike, and tho farmers and their sons come in to take the place of the men on strike, I would advise the Auckland workers to take a holiday in the country, especially in the districts in which the strike-breakers lived when at home. I can assure you that, should 500 or 1000 men. decide upon such a holiday, and take with them 50 or CO good rabbit dogs, a few greyhounde, and some good pig dogs to supply them with a variety of meat, a few express vans to carry tents, food supplies and blankets, ithe men would have the (holiday of their hyee. It might.bo nece'sa'ary to.break up into email parties of from 25 to 100 men.; if so, cacti party would require » van and (

dogs. It would be the fun of a lifetime for the strikers and the deathblow to the Farmers' Union strikebreakers. I can imagine the feelings of the cocky in Auckland working on the wharf, "in the grain stores, or at any other occupation in the city while hundreds of the men he was trying to crush were enjoying themselves on or about his farm. In the circumstancos, how long would the backbone of the Dominion stay away from his farm? It would not cost the strikers 5s- \ per week to live, for all the farmers do not belong to the Farmers' Union. 1 know for a fact that there is a very small percentage of them in the Union, Milk, potatoes, and vegetables would cost comparatively little, and I believe there are plenty of wild pigs, rabbits, hares, wild sheep and cattle in the Auckland province; therefore, meat would cost nothing. Auckland workers, just think of suoh a holiday while the backbone w,as sweltering doing your work. All the single men in Auckland anyway could have such a holiday. Should they adopt this method, they could combine business with pleasure by organising a Farm Laborers' Union in every centre. . The farm and station workers-are anxious to become unionists only they never get the chance. —Yours etc., E. KENNEDY, Secretary Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Laborers' Union. Trades - Hall, Christchurch.