“UNEMPLOYED-UNIONISM”

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 304, 17 September 1921, Page 3

“UNEMPLOYED-UNIONISM”

Sir, —In your issue of the 7th inet. appears a letter by "Typiste,” referring especially to unemployment as being largely brought about by unionists. Well, I compliment “Typiste" on giving her opinion eo freely, and with so much force and truth. That several unions in existence in our Dominion and other parts of our Empire exercise a power for evil there is no doubt whatever. Some of those leading spirits seem to deplore the fact that there is not in existence one “big union." They had in force what was termed the “triple alliance,” which was expected to answer that same purpose, prior to the miners’ strike in England, but wiser counsels prevailed, the railway and transport men withdrew their support, which certainly lessened the suffering which the coal miners had hoped to inflict upon a defenceless people. That unwarrantable •trike was costing the Government, or more properly the people, ,£3,000,000 a week, and the hardships imposed could not be calculated; want and misery were in evidence in thousands of homes, innocent and unoffending mothers and their families had to enduro trials beyond measure. In Australia, during the latter stages of the war and immediately after, the same evil influence was experienced at Broken Hill, when during the strike period metals of the estimated value of jC15,000,000 could have been obtained when such were selling at unprecedented prices, and during that long period l tens of thousands of pounds could have been earned, and the district would have' enjoyed a time of prosperity previously unknown. But those stupid creatures would not work. When people won't make hay while the sun is shining they are altogether hopeless.” "Typiste” mentions our coal and wharf troubles: they were simply disgraceful. In my younger days any combination that anted in .rostraint of trade was, according to the principles of common law, held to be illegal. Why not’make it effective by Act of Parliament? And in particular do away with “preference to unionists." What a travesty! to give preference to workers who won’t work. It is an absolute farce? And yet this brainless proceeding is the law of the land. But it is further when a strike takes place. Those loafers say wo won't work, and you shan't. Where, I ask, Is the liberty of the willing workers? Clearly they have none, and yet this Dominion is raid to be a free country. We all remember the oft-repeated and emphasised statement, “God’s Own Country—a land without strikes.” Is that true to-day Most certainly not. The only remedy is a stringent law: Any union causing a strike should have its registration cancelled and a heavy fine imposed; but, failing this, imprisonment or deportation. Those who are responsible for bringing about such disastrous consequences should be called to account. No body of men should be allowed to paralyse the trade of the country, and bring want, starvation, and unemployment into our midst. If the Government allows this then tho interests of the community aro set nt nought, and the foibles of a section of stupid people aro held to bo pre-eminent. But, further, a sympathetic strike is surely accessory; and every such union should sharo tho before-mentioned fate. If a body of men are dissatisfied with their conditions, let them cease work, but if there are those who wish to continue, why should they.be compelled to stop? Of course, they would bo liable to all kinds of base insults, but from such they should bo protected by law. The real workers aro capable of sue •.essfully restoring cur trade and bring \ng alxjut the prosperity the country needs. Last year a shipping strike took place in Denmark, and for a time paralysed the trade of the country. The

Permanent. Court of Arbitration on Industrial Disputes waa approached, but, alas, too late. It imposed on each of tho unions concerned, viz., the Transport Workers' Union, the Seamen's Union, and tho Stokers’ Union, a heavy fine, but the funds were exhausted. The sheriff’s officer, finding no money, seized the furniture and closed the offices. Our Government has now before it two alternatives—tho restoration of trade, and the welfare of the whole community, or tho freedom of unprincipled persons, who merely form a section of the whole, to do their own sweet will to tho injury of all —even themselves. —I am, etc., PIONEER.