Co-operative Labor.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 3, Issue 78, 6 September 1912, Page 5

Co-operative Labor.

A LETTER TO THE PREMIER

LABOR UMu.nVS PROTEST

The following protest has been sent by the Westport Labor Union to the Minister of Labor; —

"The Hon. Mr. Massey, Prime Minis

tor and Minister of Labor

"Dear Sir, —Under instructions from the above union, permit us to draw your attention to the instructions sent from the Public Works Department to the various County Councils of New Zealand, to the effect that all works being carried out by Government grants must be let by public tender, also to the apparent increasing tendency of the present Government to carry out public works by contract in preference to day labor or co-operation.

"Wo have noticed the report of a deputation representing tho various branches of tho Farmers' Unions of New Zealand who waited on you urging the construction of public works by contract and condemning tho co-opera-tive system as being too costly. Now, sir, as a iinion of workers numbering between 400 and 500, we wish to enter an emphatic protest against the introducing or continuing of any competitive system which involves the expenditure of public funds, we being firmly of tho opinion that such system is directly opposed to the best interests of the general community as a whole. Kindly note a few reasons undermentioned :—

"(1) The revenue of this country is derived from the mass of the people. "(2) The people have to guarantee any money borrowed.

"(3) We contend that every individual should have the right to earn his living out of public funds so far as the funds will go.

"(4) Tho working-man's right to work is his right to live. If we have no right to work wo will have no Tight to live.

"(5) Under the co-operative system every man has the right to a day's work and full payment according to tho amount of work that he does.

"(6) Under the contract system one man is granted power to monopolise, say, £10,000. Ho then has the right to dictate who shall live, and who shall die. Although that money is undoubtedly the property of the people one man is given tho right to pick and choose only the first-class and physical-ly-fit workmen who will be most likely to make up for a low, cut-throat price obtained under a competitive contracting system.

"Wo would respectfully urge that if it is not practicable to carry on tho construction of public works by wage labor that you do your utmost to abolish slave labor in the shape of contracting and continue tho system of co-operation, which wo arc sure would under sound administration give complete satisfaction to a largo majority of the entire population of this Dominion. "Trusting you will give this matteryour most careful and earnest consideration . "Signed on behalf of tho Westport Labor Union. G. HAWES, President. ]). MOLONEY, Secretary."