STRIKES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 2980, 20 August 1891, Page 4

STRIKES.

What constitutes a fair day's work, And what a fair day's pay. Are matter.-) whoro the workingman Should Hiirely havo a say. But whom tho musters should employ Or send their produce to, Aru with which the labourer Jfas nought on earth to do. Tho rights of labour were ignored No doubt in former nges : That in, for every fair days work .V fair day's rato of wages. Bit in Now Z inland this has changed, For hum we hive decided Tint men should got tho biggest share Whcii profits were diviJod. Tins Unions talk of liWtv, And yetdimv tli'ir n-'ighlionr Tim right to sell to whom ho will Hμ kiviwlode.! or his l.ilwnr ; They'd tyr.innisu and form their rule* On workmen and employers, And r.tis9 tho pric-.i of things all round, Th.-iugh t.lioy themselves are buyers. T i h.ivn their way or ruin trade I'ho Unions intended ; But though they much distress have wrought, Have they their prospects mended ? Thev lost the public sympathy When first they took to plotting The ruin of employers By the system of boycotting. Tho workmen's leaders all declare No man shall got a living, Unless to some trade union he Allegiance is Riving. Ho and his family may Btnrve ; The Union laws proclaim it : If this is not rank tyranny, I don't know what to name it. I£'kch man's a right to sell or hire His labour or his skill, In any lawful manner For whatever price ho will. But hore'i a fact that all can seo, It needs but little showing, Tho man who sorves his inuitor best Will get the best price going. Some toil long hours in crowded rooms, And yet with all thoir striving, Tha wretched pittance they can earn Will scarcely buy a living. The tainted air and wasted form, Disease and fainino blended, Sip health and s'.rength alike avay, And so their lives are ended. Twas not for these tho Unions struck, Thoir sympathies lay nearer, All trades must bo disorganised To aid tho Union shearer ; And of the wool free labour shorn, Tho owners must bo harried, For not a single bale should bo i!y rail or steamboat carried. Nemo.