HON. SIR J. G. FINDLAY, K.C.M.G., L.L.D., K.C.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1224, 5 September 1911, Page 4

HON. SIR J. G. FINDLAY, K.C.M.G., L.L.D., K.C.

Sir,—The above-described and . muchtitled gentleman has. stated that ho intends contesting one of the seats at the forthcoming general election, and so prove he has the confidence of the people. Now, when all things arc considered, it must be admitted that the electors of Wellington are expert judges of tho political situation; therefore, if Sir J. G. Findlay, K.C, etc., is genuine in his desire, no should contest one of the Wellington seats, and as Jfr. Robert Fletcher has stated that his reason for contesting Wellington Central is to serve tho Liberal cause, could not Sir Joseph cancel his endorsement of Mr. Fletcher and arrango for Sir J. G. Findlay, K.C, etc., to contest the seat against Jlr. F. M. B. Fisher, M.P., who is, without doubt, one of the most nble politicians in the Dominion? If Sir J. G. Findlay can defeat F. M. B. Fisher it will prove conclusively he does hold tho confidence of the people. Now the question is whether Sir J. G.. Findlay, K.C, etc.; is ganie?—l am, etc., .' HEREDITARY 'TITLE. THE WAREHOUSE EMPLOYEESUNION. Sir,—Kindly allow mo spaco in your valuable paper to reply to some of tho statements made by several of the warehouse employees objecting to the formation of a union. I can well understand tho managers of departments opposing it, becauso they receive good salaries, and usually a bonus according to the profits made. Tho formation of a union would undoubtedly result in increased salaries for juniors, and shorter hours, and would reduce the handsome profits as made under tho present system of long hours and miserable pay. But we are told the majority of the assistants are quito satisfied with their present conditions. This can easily be explained. The department managers have no doubt gone round (as has been done before) and told tho assistants to oppose the formation of the union, because if formed the result would be the replacing of a number of them with smaller paid.assistants, and also all who joined it would bo dismissed. They "would also bo told that if .tho union is formed tho privileges they have enjoyed would bo taken away from them. This is the same old battle-cry that .wo have heard for years. Tho first concession they wonld lost would bo 4 getting their goods at wholesale pric-e. Now, the majority of assistants arc siugle (poor beggars nevor gel enough to marry on). Would it not be much bettor for them to receive a proper wage than to be sweated because they gel their goods wholesale? I ask: What saving is it to a young man? Then wo art told tho hours would be- longer because the present hours are from 9 a.m. t< 5 p.m., but these are the only hours when the warehouses are open for. busi ness. They have not told you how ofter for week after week the assistants havi to go to work at 8 a.m. and work till i or 10 o'clock, and even 11 o'clock, and ii many cases on Saturday afternoon am even Sundays at times. Wo arc tok they .get sick pay, ten days','holiday ; year, and a number of special holidays But they are fully entitled to all these ii compensation for long hours and miser ablo pay. Then there is the warnini that, if tho union is formed a number o tho larger paid assistants (those who hav' boon employed for nino or ten years) wil bo replaced by lower salaried ones, might odd this is a very common occur rence already with a number of firms but the formation of a union will pro vent that, because an award will b made allowing juniors in equal propoi tion to the number of seniors employed I should bo pleased to render what as sistance I can towards tho formation o this union, and refer tho promoters o it to Tub Dominion office for my ad dress. I am, e!c, EX-WAHEHOTTSE ASSISTANT.