Strike and Lock-out.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 71, 19 July 1912, Page 5

Strike and Lock-out.

News and Views.

i NEW ZEALAND FEDERATION O? LABOR.

I The following excellent letter is selfexplanatory : — I Mr. Vcale, sec. Bakers' Union. I Sir, —Kindly allow mo to oxpress my i sinocrest thanks to your executive committee for having consented to receive a delegation from the Now Zealand Federation of Labor, and my regret at their having so misconstrued the temper and standard of intelligence of that portion of the membership present at to-night's meeting. The. Bakers' Union has earned for itself tho rather questionable distinction !of being tho first Auckland union to i refuse a hearing to those able to place •tho position of the men and women at

The Campaign fop Workingclass Triumph.

present engaged in a bitter struggle, forced upon them by the employers of Waihi and Re-.-tton. AH other unions so far here, approached in person at any rate, havo extended « hearty wole.Hiic and showed their appreciation by financial assistance. The samo applies to unions in Australia, many of whom havo responded without waiting for any delegation. Your members, apparently saturated with prejudice assimilated from the columns of the capitalist press, sewn alarmed lt*t their ignoranco on the matter should by any possibility bo dispelled— a splendid illustration of the mental atnuihy inevitably resulting from, long association with craft unionism of the siluriun period. Thai* any body of organised Labor should decline to receive on any grounds whatever representatives of follow unionists, who along with.their women and children are lighting a straight, creditable and courageous battle on behalf of their class, is almost unbelievable and would be laughable, did it not display such a complete innocence of knowledge concerning even tho elementary principles of unionism and class solidarity. Education on claw lines would bo a safe and profitable investment for the Bakers' Cnion. The Federation of Labor has never turned a deaf ear to the voice of any member of tin' working-class in trouble, but has ever Ixmmi ready to throw themselves into the light, regardless of all factors but the. on© supreme, essential fact that members of their class required assistance. Perhaps it is too much to expect the same spirit from tho average unionist, who is «s a rule forced into unionism by tho Arbitration Act. Should the Bakers' Union ever pluck up sufficient courage to quarrel witih their philanthropic employers, I can extend to them promise of assistance from the Federation of Labor, and no doubt win thereby as great a victory as we aro to achieve in Waihi and Reefton.—Yours for solidarity, Trades Hall, U. FRASER, Auckland.

so tar hero, approached in person at any rate, havo extended « hearty wele.Hiic and showed their appreciation by financial assistance. The samo applies to unions in Australia, many of whom havo responded without waiting for any delegation. Your members, apparently saturated with prejudice assimilated from the columns of the capitalist press, seem j alarmed Inst their ignoranco on the | matter should by any possibility bo dispelled—a splendid illustration of the : mental atrophy inevitably resulting from long association with craft unionism of the siluriun period. Thai* any body of organised Labor should decline to receive on any grounds whatever representatives of follow unionists, who along with.their women and children are lighting a straight, creditable and courageous battle on behalf of their class, is almost unbelievable and would be laughable, did it not display such a complete innocence of knowledge concerning even tho elementary principles of unionism and class solidarity. Education on claw lines would bo a safe and profitable investment for the Bakers' Cnion. The Federation of Labor has never turned a deaf ear to the voice of any member of tin' working-class in trouble, but has ever Immmi ready to throw themselves into the fight, regardless of all factors but the. on© supreme, essential fact that members of their class required assistance. Perhaps it is too much to cxpeet the same spirit from tho average unionist, who is «s a rule ; forced into unionism by tho Arbitra- j tion Act. Should the Bakers' Union ever pluck up sufficient courage to quarrel witih their philanthropic employers, I can extend to them promise of assistance from the Federation of Labor, and no doubt win thereby as great a victory as we aro to achieve in Waihi and Rccflon.—Yours for solidarity, Trades Hall, U. FRASER, Auckland. ''Things are not what they Sim in arbitration matters," say the drivers and bakers of the Dominion, who have had to begin afresh their action for Dominion awards.—Choh. "Evening News." » a * Tho British monthlies are full of articles on the new awakening of Labor. Even the academic quarterlies, usually devoted to lengthy discussions of the Things that Don't Matter, have had to make an effort at last to get in touch with the realities of existence. It is safe to say that never before was coal so illuminating.—it. E. .Route in Syd. "Worker." Here's a slab of wisdom for some of the working-class to ponder o\or. It is an extract from the Labor notes column in the Auckland ''Star." ''The long-delayed Auckland Knginedrivers' Union award, of wliieh I made mention in my last report, has arrived at last, and will come into operation on July 15, continuing in force for three years from that date. It has taken the Cuion exactly 11 months to get the aivard. The only new feature in the award is that in future tho men are to be paid for 'gelting up steam.' . . . The wages are still the same as under previous awards —viz., to men holding first-class certificates, 10s. per shift; to men with second-class certificates, Os. per day. . . Thus the Arbitration Court, for the first time in an award, j has felt compelled to recognise a prin- ! <-ij)le that the unions fought for for | years—the right of an engine-driver jto be paid for work done in the interests of his employer. It only remains now for the carters to be paid for 'getting up steam' on their horses, i.e., feiding them, to make the principle universal." v a "Radical" writes from Dunedin: — "Sir, —Would it not be a good idea Ito have collecting cards printed and i distributed amongst members of the : Federation and sympathisers, as many outsiders are in direct sympathy with the miners nnd their wives and children, both at Reefton and Waihi. This is the 'great crisis,' and on this alone depends the advance of labor, politically and industrially. There are scores of men and women who do not understand the position from the workers' point of view, and the, capitalistic papers will not open their eyes. Hoping that the workers will hold the fort." * * * It is open to any union or other organised agency to officially open a subscription list or for any authorised person to collect donations, but as far ■a_> individual subscriptions arc concerned it is desired that same bo sent direct to Mr. J. Glover at this office, and official receipts will then bo forwarded. * * * It is up to the solid Wellington watersidera to have that "poor pianist" collection and all it was made to imply officially repudiated.

''Things are not what they Sim in arbitration matters," say the drivers and bakers of the Dominion, who have had to begin afresh their action for Dominion awards.—Choh. "Evening News."

Tho British monthlies are full of articles on the new awakening of Labor. Even the academic quarterlies, usually devoted to lengthy discussions of the Things that Don't Matter, havo had to make an effort at last to get in tench with the realities of existence. It is safe to say that never before was coal so illuminating.—ll. E. .Route in Syd. "Worker."

Here's a slab of wisdom for some of the working-class to ponder o\cr. It is an extract from the Labor notes column in the Auckland "Star." ''The long-delayed Auckland Knginedrivers' Union award, of which I made mention in my last report, has arrived at last, and will come into operation on July 15, continuing in force For three years from that date. It has taken the Cuion exactly 11 months to get the aivard. The only new feature in the award is that in future tho men are to be paid for 'getting up steam.' . . . The wages are still the same as under previous awards —viz., to men holding first-class certificates, 10s. per shift; to men with second-class certificates, Os. per day. . . Thus the Arbitration Court, for the first time in an award, has felt compelled to recognise a principle that the unions fmight for for years—the right of an engine-driver to be paid for work done in the interests of his employer. It only remains now for the carters to be paid for 'getting up steam' on their horses, i.e., feiding them, to make the principle universal."

Iti is open to any union or other organised agency to officially open a subscription list or for any authorised person to collect donations, but as far ■a_> individual subscriptions arc concerned it is desired that same bo sent direct to Mr. J. Glover at this office, and official receipts will then bo forwarded.

It is up to the solid Wellington watersidera to have that "poor pianist" collection and all it was made to imply officially repudiated.

Seeing that tho seamen are not themselves an arbitration union, are they consistently the proper people to "rat" on another anti-arbitration union ?

At a meeting of the Otago Laborers' Union last week, it was decided to donate £'20 in aid of the wives and children of the men out of work at Waihi and Reefton. It was also decided to issue subscription lists with the object of raising additional fund**.

At the last meeting of tho East Coast Trades and Labor Council, it was resolved not to receive Federation of Labor delegates who had written in regard to collecting funds for the Waihi and llcvfton strikers and to place before the council matters between the local unions, as the council has no sympathy with the methods of the Federation.

A reply has been sent to the Thames Chamber of Commerco to the effect that the Auckland Chamber has no desire to favor either side in the Waihi dispute in any way. No organisation had been formed to deal with the question of relief. Tho chamber believed the attitude of the employers was that it was not desirable to interfere between the parties concerned.

P. 11. Mickey writes that he is having a busy timo in Sydney, lit addition to the Trades Council, he was addressing tiie Seamen's and Coal Lumpers' -and other unions. He had made arrangements for a visit to tho South Coast and i,itbgow.

Sensationally heralded, the following appeared in the "wholesale and retail" Trust pajiers ono day last week: — ; 'A large meetings of miners at Millerton on Sunday evening Lust, July 7,. addressed by Mi-. Semple, organiser of the Federation of Labor, decided to boycott the Westport papers and all tradesmen who advertised with them, as a protest against alleged misrepresentation by tho 'capitalistic' press, i.f the actions of the Federation and its officers." The resolution actually carried is somewhat diii'erent, and appea-.-s in our Millerton nows.

Cabled from Sydney on July II that .it a meeting of the Labor Council Exe-■-••it'ive it was reported that a letter ti«d been received from the Wellington Trades Council. One delegate suid that of four Labor Councils in NewZealand, it was strange that only ono was consulted. Whether the men bad made a technical mistake or not, he would support them. Anoliker said that when workers were seeking more wages and shorter hours they were never wrong. The executive stated that it was seeking further information from 1 lie Auckland Council. A proposal .o make an immediate apjieal to tho unions to assist the strikers was negatived.

This item was specially telegraphed lo the "I'ost" of July 10: '-Air. U. Semple, organiser for the Ninv Zealand Federation of Labor, arrived in : .'■hristeliurch on Tuesday evening from the West Coast. He left next morning for Kailangata, in eoiineeti-in wiJli thy industrial trouble there among the miners, lie will also inter-,, : ..,v representatives of the wateiside workers in Timaru. Speaking to a ropre:,ei:tativo, 'Mr. Semple said that, as far as the

> men woro concerned, thera was no change in tho position on the West Coast or at Waihi. The men weiro prepared to "stick it oui," and were solid. Referring to the proposal to boy-

cotfc two newspapers in Westport, ho said that the mon had objected to misrepresentations. "I don't mind fail criticism,' ho said, 'but the Westport papers misrepresented the position. I personally had nothing to do with t,h<a decision, tho men themselves deciding to crucify tho two journals.' " » * •

Tho Addington Branch of the A.S.R.S- is circulating subscription lists Among members for tho Btriko and look-out fund. Other railway branches please copy.

A meeting of the Waihi Workers' Union was held on Monday of last week, when a notice of motion, tabled at the previous Friday's meeting, was to bo dealt with. The motion was to tho effect that a ballot be taken to return to arbitration. An air of interest was permeating all concornod in the strike as t«o the outcome of the motion, but all was unwarranted, as the mover of the motion had considered his position and unreservedly withdrew the matter. A fow minor affairs wero dealt with, and tho meeting dispersed.

Messrs. Parry, McLennaii and Richards visited Thames on Saturday night week and addressod the miners there. As is usually tho case, the rank and file aro always sympathetic, but the officials are as stubborn as mules.

Tlie Otago General Laborers' Union has carried the following motion unanimously: "That the Government be urged to amend the Arbitration Act so as to prevent a minority in any industry being registered where a union has secured cancellation of its registration."

Frank Langstone writes from Tt Kuitii: "Enclosed you 'will find £5, my sub. towards the miners' strike fund. I only wish I had more at mv disposal, and I wish them every success in their light for union principles. I am a bit out of the running up here, and your paper is the only medium through winch 1 can get to ku-.-w how things are going."

The papers and magazines are full of Syndicalism, and elaborate and confusing explanations of its doctrines and meaning. Vet Syndicalism is t; it a new phenomenon ; it's a very old one. It is simply industrial ait ion writ large—a scientific fashioning of the strike.—H. K. Boote.

"Socialism violates the sanctity of the hor,\e," cry the hirelings of 'Fat. Hut the Loudon police, in.lex Capitalism, pick up nearly _UIH) homeless people in ono ni&ht.

. Statement showing total receipt a of [ Strike and Look-out Fund to Julv I 8, 1912. Name of Unicn. Members. Tofcil. Waikato Minors ... 475 £300 0 0 Benniston Minors ... 401 360 0 0 1 Oranity Minors- ... 390 500 0 0 State Miners (Duni ollio) 400 470 14 0 : Otago Miners 241 121 0 0 Green Island Min- : . ws 70 31 I 0 | Puponga Miners ... 54 45 10 0 ' Taitapu Miners 20 5 0 0 j Westland Tailors ... 5 0 0 j Westport-Stocktan 150 3G 0 0 Blackball Mi.-iers ... 210 334 5 f) j Dcrmiston Engine- ! drivers 20 17 13 0 j Seddouville 90 39 7 D ! Kiripak* 35 29 8 6 I Weat Coast Workj ers 300 50 0 0 I Canterbury Laborera 954 21 5 3 Auckland General [ Laborers 800 50 0 0 ' Wcstport Labor ' Triiion 190 50 0 0 Wellington W.W. ... 1000 227 2 6 ! Auckland W.W. ... 750 237 9 4 : Foxlon W.W 25 2.2 0 I Dunedin 278 50 10 0 ! Nelson 5Qr 13 10 0 l T.vtteltnn. 315 250 8 7 i Timaru 140 116 10 0 Picton W.W 40 J Pa tea 23 2 0 0 I Auckland Tramways 475 46 10 0 i Grovniouth W.W. ... 190 ! Wcstport W.W. ... 123 129 18 9 j Shearers' Association 3589 Auckland Brownry Workers' Union... 141 ; Wellington Gas Stokers' Union ... 35 13 18 0 Mannwnhi Fhxmill- ■ millers 623 | Grey Valley Work- ' ers 50 Otago Artificers 35 2 0 0 Whangnn-i Miners... 8 8 8 6 £3575 17 11

! Auckland B r a nc h S.P f'r uterbury Freezing 1 Works Union Addtugtcm Branch j A.S.R.S 1 Waimnte L a bo r Union Wellington Operative llootmakers' ' Union ; Slate Coal Depui ties' Union | \':ipier Painters and Decorators ' Tiiriitahi Meat Work* Union ... i lluntlv Methodist Church (coll.) ... ; Christehurch Tin- ' smiths and M.W. , Union 28 1 0 35 0 0 3 10 0 7 0 0 10 0 0 6 0 0 5 5 0 5 0 0 3 11 0 2 8 0 Canterbury M e t a I Workers' AssistI ants' Union : Individual Subscribers 4 0 0 24 0 6 £3705 2 5

j Amounts received by Waihi Union ! Direct. Karangahalce Branch i Thames Miners' i Union £1=0 13 10 ■ Thames Miners' ; Union 20 0 0 Komata B r a n c h ! Thames Miners' Union 4 0 0 Lvtrelton Railway Workers' Union... 5 0 0 ' Wm-kworth' Gener.il Laborers' Union... 30 0 0 i Tairua Bro ke u < Hills sub 5 15 0 ; Edwin Saves, Social i Democrat 7 8 0 Northern Football 1 League, Karanga- | hake 3 0 0 '■ Individual Subscrip- ! tiong 3 5 0 | £190 G 10