‘OPENING’ THE UNIONS

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 144, 14 March 1931, Page 7

‘OPENING’ THE UNIONS

Militant Workers’ League WANTS TO HOLD MEETINGS A new organisation made itself known to the by-laws committee of the City Council yesterday. This was the Militant Workers’ League, represented by Messrs. Boston and McDowell, who asked to be allowed to hold street meetings on every night of the week. When questioned as to why they wished to hold such meetings, Mr. Boston, a young man of good address, said the object was to protest against so many of the trade unions being closed to workers. Such unions should be open to every man who’ wished to join them. The league had set up a committee, but they must hold meetings to enable them to get finance enough to rent a halt The Chairman, Councillor M. F. Luckie: What do you mean when you say you want to open the unions? Mr. Boston: Some of the unions have closed their books —won’t admit any more members. The Watersiders’ Union has closed its books. No more men can get into that union. “Do you mean to say that these unions are becoming close corporations?” asked the chairman. , Mr. Boston: That is so—we want to get the thousands of men who are not interested in trade unions. Mr. McDowell, the other deputationist, said their wish was to see all unionfe opened, so as to give a fair field and no favour to all workers. “How often do you wish to hold meetings?” asked Councillor H. A Huggins. “As often as you will permit,” returned Mr. Boston. The chairman said that the representations of the deputation would be duly considered by the committee. WANT A HALL “Unemployment Workers” Another request to the by-laws committee for permission to hold meetings was put forward by the Unemployment Workers’ Movement, represented by Mr. Fred Perrin and a.woman whose name was not mentioned. Mr. Perrin said the “Movement” wanted to have open-air meetings. As many of them had fought for freedom they thought they should have the right of free speech. They wanted to hold meetings so as to raise finance to get a hall. “How many people do you represent?” asked the chairman, Councillor M. F. Luckie. “We claim to represent 3000 men. That does not mean that we wish to go out into the street and make trouble. We would appoint three or six to speak at the meetings to get support to rent a hall. “The city and the Government is doing its utmost to provide work and relief in this period of depression, which is worldwide. What more do you suggest can be done if you get a hall?” asked the chairman. Councillor M. F. Luckie. “We, as unemployed," Baid Mr. Perrin, “would show the employed worker that we would not take their jobs—if there was a strike or anything.” "But there’s no question of a strike,’* said the chairman. “Do you think you could create work where there is no work?” Councillor T. C. A. Hislop: You wish to hold meetings to get a hall —why? “To get support from the employed workers,” said Mr. Perrin. “The movement wants to function as a trades union —should any trouble arise.” The usual answer—that the matter would be considered —was the chairman’s final word to the two lone deputatiorists.