The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. Equal and exact justice to all men, Or whatever state or persuasion, religious or political. THURSDAY,FEB, 19,1891

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 2902, 19 February 1891, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. Equal and exact justice to all men, Or whatever state or persuasion, religious or political. THURSDAY,FEB, 19,1891

Titk determination of tho Uuio Shipping Company, not to take on any lnoro men belonging to tho iSoat men and Firemen's Union is only the natural result from the conducof the Unionists collectively, and of its individual members. The Company, during the strike, was compelled to employ non-Unionists, in order to prosecute their business. Up to this time tlioy had only shipped men belonging to the Union, and conformed in every respect to its rules. They discovered how tmrelio.ble a reed they were resting- upon. A dispute arose in Australia, and tho labour autocrats ordered the men to leave the boats. This they were fools enough to do. The Company then succeeded 111 securing sufficient freo labour to work their boats, and had the strike lasted much longer there would not have been a vacant berth for a Unionist t.-> fill. The Company of course retained tho services ot' all the eiiicient free men who had come to their assistance in the time of need, but expressed their willingness to take on any Unionists, as vacancies occurred, so long' as tho fact of their belonging to the Union was not obtruded. As is pointed out by ilr 'Mills, tin' Unionists liavo not adhered to this agreement, as the members have made a practice of annoying the independent men serving on the sumo vossels, with ihehopoof making them join the Union, so that the Company should be helpless tlie next tune King Dick or King Hurry ordered a strike. [Io accuses them of disloyalty and tho accusation is inoro than justilied. Tt is clearly disloyal to plot whilst in tho service of anv individual, company or Government to upset constituted authority. Die leaders of tho Unionists do not disguise tho fact th:it they are only waiting to gain sullicient strength to once more renew the struggle which last year proved so disastrous lo their dupes and the colony. The action of the manager of the company will meet with the approval of every man who appreciates the danger Unionism, under the new system, has become. Mr Mills anticipates that he will be able to man his boats by the young men of the colony. This is as it should be. There is a very large percentage of foreigners belonging to the Union, and these men naturally onl v look at the whole question from a wages point of view. They care naught for the injury (hey may inllict upon the colony.