The Wairarapa Daily TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1891.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3907, 8 September 1891, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1891.

We have received a copy of the first annual report of the Free Association of Employers and Workmen of Hawke's Bay. This organisation was, exactly twelve months ago, the outcome of the labour strike. At that time the portof Napier was threatened with a blockade, and the employers took such steps as were necessary to avert the danger which menaced the trade and prosperity of the town. They formed a guarantee fund, and it is significant that they won this battle by an expenditure of only one-twelfth of their financial strength. Their first year's campaign only absorbed 7£ per cent of their guaranteed resources and they still have 92$ per cent in reserve. Of course the main object of the Association was the protection and organisation of free labour. When Unionism is rampant, a determined effort is made to suppress what may be termed free labour. In almost any community free labour constitutes a majority, and union labour a minority of the working population, but the minority, when it puts on its war paint, will coerce the majority, unless the latter takes the necessary steps to defend its rights. Of course the privilege of combination is one that must be conceded on both sides. No one can object to Unionism, as long as it does not interfere with the rights and liberties of colonists generally. The Hawke's Bay Association and the Trades Unions of Napier form opposite camps, which can, no doubt, between them, fiettks all vexed questions on a fair basis. There is no active warfare between them now, but both, perhaps, are ready for a fray, It is to be regretted that such Association? have become necessary in New Zealand, and we feel sure that old colonists, who have borne the burden and heat of the day in bygone years, would emphatically declare that any man worth his salt could get on in this land without any such organisations. They never wanted either a union to manage their private business for them oran association to prpventaunion interfering in their private affairs. At home in Europe we see the people of great nations like France and Germany horribly poor, because so much of their substance has to be wasted in standing armies as guarantees of peace. In this corner of the earth time and money is wasted on a smaller scale in keeping up unions and associations to watch one another. The employer gives hia pound and the workman his shilling to fighting funds which do no mortal good to anyone. A disarmament of unions and associations would be a distinct benefit tg all , classes of people excepting the few who ' make a direct profit and advantage out of the agitation which they foster, I either by the enjoyment of salaries or offices of profit wid distinction.