Mr, Reardon and Freezing Works Federation.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 66, 14 June 1912, Page 3

Mr, Reardon and Freezing Works Federation.

AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT.

At a conference of delegates from the various freezing works throughout Now Zealand, held in Wellington in January of this year, it was decided to form a Freezing Works and Allied Trades Federation. Conference decided that the executive for the current year should be in Christchurch, and appointed the oxceutivo committee <>f the Canterbury Freezing Works Union to act in that capacity. In accordance with a recommendation from conference, Mr. 11. A. Campbell was appointed organiser for the Federation. About tliis time, a strike occurred at two of the freezing works at Wellington and tbe organiser was instructed to proceed to Wellington on behalf of the Federation to render what assistance he could. On reaching Wellington tbe organiser tried to obtain an interview with the -secretary of the Wellington Union (Mr. M. .1. Beardou), but thai gentleman from the start assumed an attitude of hostility towards the Federation's organiser, and refused to have anything to do w-itth him, bis reasons being purely personal ones. On being farther urged by Mr. Campbell to sink all personal differences for the timo being, and act together in their official capacities ior the bom'lit of the men, the organiser only trot more abuse for his trouble. From Wellington the organiser went to Mastci't.m to assist the men, who had jusi formed a union, in their dispute with the local frw.ing company. Now, in connection with this dispute, the organiser has been accused by Mr. Reardon of fixing up a "crook" agreement on behalf of tho men, and also accepting lower wages than were ruling for the same class of work' in Wellington, but, the fads of the case are these: The organiser did not arrive in Mastorton or know anything about the dispute until the day after the demands had been drawn up and submitted to the employers. As soon as tho organiser saw the demands the men bad made he told them they were too low, but seeing that the demands were then in the hands of the employers, he advised them to do the only thing they could under the circumstances— that was, to make the agreement tolas short a period as possible—with the result that tho agreement, expire- on July 31 of this year. Tho organise!was present as one of the men's representatives that wA the employers, and the agreement arrived at for tho time beinef was satisfactory to the men, as it meant to them a rise of from Is. fid. to 2s. all round. In the face of the foregoing, it is gross perversion of the facts to accuse the organiser of accepting a "crook" agreement on behalf of the Mtisterton men. On February L'J Mr. Reardon, in writing to the si .rotary of the Masterton Union, add. d the following postscript to his letter:— "A man named Campbell has blown in here from Chrisichuroh. He calls himself the freezers' organiser. Turn him right down if lie comes up to Mastorton ; I know this gentleman." On April 8 (he secretary of the Freezing Work's' Federation received the following letter:--'"Dear Sir, —1 understood you to say that you were of tho opinion that it would not be good policy to allow Campbell to proceed further with his organising in this district. I have just learned that he lias been getting in some of his clever work in Wanganiii. We have just established a branch there, and are in the middle of negotiations with the employers. Do you want him to get in a .repetition of bis Wairarapa work, where he arrived at an agreement for a lower wage than our men bad been getting before they came out on strike? f. have just got out of a hospital, but even with this handicap I do not think your man can get the inside running on mc, I say this with becoming modesty, and with a full knowledge of the wonder ful performances of your friend. — I am, etc., (Signed) M. J. REARDON." Mr. Reardon accused the organiser of getting in sonic of his clever work in Wanganui, etc., but the facts are these: Tlie organiser visited Wanganui on his way through the North Island and addressed ihe men there, urging them to join tlie Federation, and in no way bad anything to do with tiio dispute. We think the above letters will show the workers what they are up against. and what is prevenl ing them attaining solidarity. Though our Federal ion lias only been in existence since January of this year, tho success achieved to dale has exceeded our expectations. We have succeeded in getting every union connected with the industry in the South Island into our Federation ; and, with the exception of three unions, wo have been entirely successful in the North. Wo have accomplished this in less than six,months, despite the unreasonable hostility shown by Mr. Reardon towards our organisation, and we wish that gentleman to understand that we aro determined to bring every worker in the industry in New Zealand int<r this Freezing AVorks Federation, the aims and objects of which have already received the approval of more than three-fourths of the workers engaged in the industry in New Zealand. We aro prepared to hold out the hand of comradeship to Mr. Reardon, and co-oporato with him with the object of furthering the organisation of the workers ia the freezing or any other industry, but we wish to make

r— ■ ' ! : : ——J it. quite clear to him that if he persists in placing any obstacle in the path of progress, he must be removed. 51 r. lioardon poses as a unionist j'lid a supporter of a party that, is urging the organising of the various industrial groups into Dominion federal ions. That is our object in regard to tbe freezing works industry, and wo would, of course, much rather have Mr. Reardon's assistance than his opposilinn. Wo regret having to give publicity to this matter, but in the interest of the members of the Federation, wo are compelled, under the circumstances, to do so. SIDNEY D. WALLIS, President. GEORGE FALGAR, Vice-pre». F. ELLIS, Secretary.