PREFERENCE TO UNIONISTS

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11548, 2 April 1903, Page 5

PREFERENCE TO UNIONISTS

LIVELY MEETING AT AUCKLAND.

(ritES 3 ASSOCIATION' TELEfiEAM.) AUCKLAND, April 1. In resp.m«e to ar. a_vc-t.se.ne_t. calling a n.e<.tli._, of non-unionists to protest again..- t-e proposal to make, preference to unicn-.ta compulsory, there, was a large gathering at the V.M.C.A. Rooms to-night. Mr F. G. Ewi_!_t_,:i opened the meeting, and after some'lively, though good humoured ii-.terraipti'T.s. lie moved'—"That this Jlie*-e<;._n_: e'f iit.n-i.nie>iiist«. while approving oi the Co-c-ili.'itio-n an.ii Arbwaticn Act. protests agaii-.-t the proposed alt-rat i-.-i of {hatAct whereby preferenc. to uni-onisU would b-* in ie <-nin.oulsoi-y. ar.d considers .ii:tt the i!'.r..-ri.iui:i.'...>ry power of tlu* Arbitration Court lu'ihr ihe present Act gives r.-.if-_i._i.-t r-re'tectior. to i_.ie.nist'--." After Mr Kwington had concluded, Mr Way moved, rs an .tmendmer.'-—"That in tho."opinion of this m.etirg it is desirable that, preference to unionstsfshould be made conn-tr-sDiy, and __i_t the Government el New Zeal, nd be requested to at one-, take steps to have compulsory preference to unionists made part of the. Arbitration and Concilia, ivn law." Mr Ewington ruled this out of order, a:s only non-unionists had been invited to atievA. and they only should vote. Mr Rosscr ascended 'the platform, bn: ■Mr Ew_.-:,;0.n requested him to stand down. amid 1 hooting and applause. Mr Ro.'S.-" saild: "Y'cu won't allow free speech." Mr _win_.on: "You aro afraid that It would go through New Zealand that, a meeting of non-unionists had passed a resolution, protesting eo_.pul.scry preference to unionists, so you are. trying ly .-dicer brute force to -stop it. Much gcod will it do yon. I n_o tlie -mer.drr.-.n. moved by Mr Wav as cut of order." Mr Ewington subsequently put the motion, and tit the sr.me time Mr Ro.ser calle ■ out: "Hands up for amendment." Under <•-.:..» circumstances it was imn<a__b!e to iud-e hew the meeting wtis* voting. Mr Eivin.ton declared the mot.en carried, anil said: "I ant very much obl.p *• for voixr veto. This is one of your fir<l fierhtj* for liber!v." "The.c vas ckarly a iarge majority f.>: the .__.-tt-n.nt.