THE FARMER AND TRADE UNIONISM.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 573, 8 October 1920, Page 1

THE FARMER AND TRADE UNIONISM.

Sir,— Slowly but surely the farmer is beginning to think, and such articles as yours of October 1, if carefully read and digested by the man on the land, should assist him to make up his mind on this very important subject as it affects him. Now, any careful reader of current events can readily see that the trade unionist, the world over, is out to destroy the present economic system under which we live. In other words, the unionist has been converted to Bolshevism. The methods adopted by the trade unionist are devious, goslow, strike, acceptance of foraign subsidies, etc., etc. Be it what it may, there is no denying the fact that the principle underlying this Bolshevik religion means war and revolution. Phrase it how you like it is a civil war, Labour versus Capital, now in operation, but not declared.

Better the tlevil you know than the. devil you don't.' Better by far that we all realised our position. This unionism, like a dreaded disease, is destroying the body politic, it is gnawing at the very vitals of the State. Our statesmen arc trifling with the disease, really hiding the facts, thus destroying by delay the possible chances of a permanent recovery. Better by far that the situation was made plain to the people; better by far that war be declared, and that we as farmers realised opposition as a responsible one, and took immediate steps to so organise as to be able to effectually deal with the situation. Just before the war broke out we dealt with a like situation (limited though it was) on the Auckland wharves, and we can do it again to a great extent by exactly the same methods. ,

When Germany declared war on England we sent our very best and our treasure to France and Gallipoli. This little Dominion was a land of sacrifice from the North Cape to the Bluff. We did not want to be Germany's slaves, but if this internal strife is not checked we shall soon be "Bolshevik slaves," and the red hand of Russia will be in the ascendancy. Then let the farmer (as opposed to this Bolshevik unionism) or ganise his forces throughout the length and breadth of the Dominion pnt the self-sacrificing principles of the war and the watersiders' strike into operation, let every village, hamlet and town have its farmers' executive, who will arrange for the carrying on of the producing interests, whilst every man that can be spared, be numbered off, to form a quota that when required will be told off to work the mine, the factory, the wharf, and the means of transit, if necessary. "Stop this fiddling while Rome is burning," and mend or end this intolerable state that unionism has planted on this fair land. MANUREWA FARMER. October 9, 1920.