"FREEDOM TO WORK"

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 8, 4 October 1917, Page 6

"FREEDOM TO WORK"

Sir,—l notice that an oversea steamefl is held up in consequence of 'the mem refusing to work, on that vessel. Now that brings the question, to be answered i Because a certain class of men are en' gaged on one class of work, are they by. so doing to monopolise it and ray wheig they will work or not? I submit the law en strikes, is wrong in the manner it deals with cases of this kind. If men refuse to work under an award, and v.-ill not at once lay the grievance before the Arbitration' Board, who will decide tie case on. its merits, and during the interval work to go on as usual. If this is not (lone, then notice to be given ,to the union of the .refusal of its members to' work (let it fo of any kind) and tlinfc they are on strike, that particular class of work to be declared free after 21! hours' notice. 'Free men to be engaged to do the work (refused; by members o0 the union), so not delaying any industry, under the same .•onditione granted to those ivho refused to workw This is freedom to all. Have the law, upheld with firmness and justice to all, so that one class of workers ianno6 tyrannise over others and stop the work that ought to l>B continually carried onw Anyone inciting others to go en. strike, as stated above,.to be brought up and receive the penalty of the law for refusing to obey ..the .laws 'of the country, they work under. My eons arc workers, and we are all workers of some tind oc another, no matter what position we are in. I have .only the interests of ,the working classes to advocate; then ■why should one class of men say, if we wilt not work others shall not, and set tbe law at defiance. 'Herein lays the whole question. You have, I have do doubt, heard about the Irishman, when he landed in New York, ask: "3e there ' a Government here? Well, thin, I'm agin* the Government." The Tame, feeling applies against the Arbitration Court.— I am, etc., > ■ • , ' SYDNEY STmOLPH. Wellington, October i, 1917.