Employers' Meeting.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 5927, 4 September 1890, Page 3

Employers' Meeting.

A meeting of employers was hold at 2 p.m. this afternoon at tho Athenreum. Though the meeting had been rather hurriedly convened to suit tho convenience of country people, so much so that at one time it was intended to postpc ie it for a week, there was a large and representative attendance, upwards of ono hundred persons being present. Nearly every part of Hawke's Bay was represented, from the far south to the north. Mr W. Nelson, of Messrs Nelson Bros, (limited) was voted to the chair.

Tho Chairman said he would like to mention that a slight misunderstanding had arisen as to tho holding of the meeting. At first it was thought there would be but few country members present owing to the weather, but finding quite a number came forward, it was decided to proceed. A series of resolutions would bo put before them, but he would like to make a few remarks as to tho origin of the proposed association. Unionism was at the bottom of tho present labor difficulty. Ho believed everyone admitted the origimil principles of unionism were good. There were grievances which could only have been put rii-ht by an organisation of labor. He had always been a supporter of unionism, though in employing a man he never asked h«m for his opinion on the subject. Now unionism had forced men into a line of action of which fivo men out of six did not approve of. Men interested told them thoy must join, and they did so. Workmen must have somo point to rally on, and unionism at present gave them that. He believed if a union of employers and employes were formed the men would rally round it. Everyone was alfected by the tyrannical action of the unionist leaders. No laborer and no master was free. The laborer was not allowed to work, and tho employer was in tho hands of his workmen. In Hawke's Bay it was apparent, because here there never had been any difficulty between employers and labor. Now they had discord at the order of tho hands of "the labor unions. He presided over works where the employes were all content, with tho exception of one or two men, but ho did not know that thoso friendly conditions could bo maintained. He wanted to put his men iv a position to stick to him. The old notion of a contest between labor and capital was bunkum, aud a thing of the past. Every employer of labor up country would feel "the effect of these unions in a short time. He could not understand mon being told when they would shear and how, but in Australia that was the position. It behoved every employer of labor to consider the suggestions that would bo made. In N«w Zealand there wai no greivance whatever. The Union Compauy had to stand the brunt of tho organisation, and yet not a man in their employ said they had auy fault to find. Because a giievauco was alleged iv Australia, New Zealand was suffering. Men hero wanted to go to work to earn their pay, but were refused permission to do so. He hoped the Union Company would stand firm. Patching up would do no good. As regarded his own business, he wanted to run it himself, and when ho ft ho could not do that he would give it up.

Mr P. S. McLean said he had to put before them the first resolution. He was not against uuionism, either of employers or employed. Whe..i they all agreed that thoy had no fault to find with the principle of trades' unions, they would not agree as to the actions that were taken. Thoy did not know the cause of the course of action

pursued by tha Maritime Council. The influenza which began on the Continent had extended hero, and so they had followed the fashion in strikes just as thoy had with tbe epidemic. Tho object tho Council had in view was not apparent; all they know was that thoy objected to any union being formed by employers. Surely workiug men were not so unreasonable as to think it uu-

fair that employers should follow the sinie cour. c that they had themselves adopted. Employers recognised the advantage of having to deal with leaders, and so in the same way the employes were better able to deal with their employers when the latter wero bauded together. Perish able goods wero allowed to decay, while spring goods could only bo delivered when they were of little or no uso. That had beeu brought about by tho Council, without any responsibility on the parts of the employers of labor. How could they fight a shadow? If they know what people had to complain of steps might be taken to redress the grievance ; without that knowledge they couid not act. Tho Maiitimo Council wero in tho position of Dr. N. MoLeol's revolutionary weaver, who when told that tho adoption of his principles would lead to national bankruptcy, the weaver replied he would risk it. He had nothing to lose, and therefore it did nut matter. ! hat was tho position 'ho Maritime Council were iv. It was to bo rcretted that an ex-Premier of tho colony had taken up the position he had. Ho referred to Sir Rob. rt Stout, who had said that it was not the labor classes but the b'ailway Commissioners who had threatened to stop trade. It was absurd for such a man to draw a red herring across the.scent Hawke's Bay, according to the Council, was to have no say as to how busine•*» was to be conducted ; tho Council were to be the solo masters of tho situation. It was impossible by any oilier means than that of banding cmi )v,rs to"o'her that they could fix their b >-es " v-|. rnovr. thr) first resolution as'loilow. - - " Thut Uiis meeting resolves that it is now necessary that an association be formed of employers of labor, owners of

property, workers, and other interested in the proper regulation of labor, and the protection of property and commercial interests."

Mr J. W. Neal seconded thß motion. They had no quarrel with their employes, and the only solution to the present trouble was a union of labor and capital. If they had had such a union in the past they would not have had their present troubles. Such a body would give aud take. The resolution was carried unanimously, amidst great cheering. Mr Coleman said he at first declined to move a resolution, as he was not a speaker, but afterwards he thought, as ho would liko to see some action, he consented to put the following resolution before the meeting:—"That it is desirable that all employers, owners of property, and workers should at once joinanassociation, and thatall interested directly or indirectly in furthering the commercial, pastoral, and agricultural interests of the colony be invited to give substantial support to such Association." Presently they would hear the prospectus of the proposed association. They had assembled not with any idoa of crushing unionism, for if any employer thought that he had better put aside tho idea. Thoy were there to-day to unite and stand shoulder to shoulder iv this crisis. When unionism went beyond its legitimate sphere, and began issuing manifestoes as to this or that man striking, tho labor

party drawing the boycott closer and closer, they know these things might occur to themselves, and therefore thoy should come to an understanding. As au omployor he uover cared whether a man working for him was a unionist or not; but when ho was told that the free laborer who had

worked for him for twenty years was to go

and die on the street, he as an employer said no. Their proposition

was not to injure anyone, but that men might rally round their banner as free men. They did not propose to ask any working man to contribute auythiug ; the employer would find tho funds. The entrances would go towards an accident fund for the men. Politic*; had no part in their proceedings ; all they wanted was freedom of action. Mr T. Mann, of the Dockers' Union, had recently in the Fortnightly Review advocated tho very thing they were doing to-day. He said they wanted to see the employers combined, and that such a course would absolutely stop strikes altogether. Tho boycott was repugnant to his nature ;it was a devilish institution. The boycott savored of the Spanish inquisition, but if they stood together it would be made powerless, whereas if they shirked their duty they did not know what the end would be. If the Union Company had been wise thoy would have laid up all their ships, and if they wero not going to help that Company they should never havo assembled here. Tho entranco to the association would be £1, the subscription not less than £2 per annum, and there would be a guarantee fund, which he hoped would not be needed. He wanted them to see the necessity of subscribing liberally, and ho hoped to see sensible men on the Council, but they would need assistanco.

Mr Fulton seconded the resolution. If all the employers went round among their employes they would find they would all join the association. Tho employers would find tho funds, and the men would reap tho benefits. Ho had no sympathy with the terrorism now reigning. He confessed he did not know what it was all about.

Tho resolution was carried unanimously. Mr McVay said they had had a forcible exposition of the proposals that wf>ro to bd laid before tbem, so it was unnecessary for him to take up their time. Ho moved the following resolution :—" That this meeting, while recognising tho usefulness of trades unions when conducted with duo rogard to personal freedom, desires to express sympathy with thoso who, by refusing to accedo to tho arbitrary commands of the Maritime Council, havo shown their d< termination to maintain their liberty of action, and with the Union Steamship Company and others, who, with their employes, have been subjected to an interference with their interests by tho Maritime Council not justified by existing circumstances." Bo had always been in perfect sympathy with trades unionism, and all his employes, with the exception of the foreman, wero trades unionists. So long as unionists allowed free men to work alongside of them there would be no trouble Tbe present unfeunate position was due to tho false issues placed before tho meu. Ho had seen it stated that capitalists were banded together to reduce wagos, and tho men never considered whether the facts were as stated or not. The loaders of the labor party also indulged in false representations. "Mere blatant _dventurers who had no stake in the community, and who were working for their own Hclfish ends, wero a fruitful cause of the present troubles. Inflamatory speeches in Parliament almost urging men to acts of violence wero also to bo regretted. What tho Government had done at Wellington must have had a repressive influence. He agreed with Captain Russel[ that it was bettor to have twenty too many special constables than one too few. The oiroums-ances attending the dockers' strike at Home were very different to what thoy were here. There they had struck for sixpence an hour, while tho Union Company's men were tho best paid in the world. The objects of tho proposed association were not of an aggres-?ivo, but of a defensive character.

Mr Wenley seconded tho resolution, contenting himself by saying that his sympathies wero with the Union Company. The resolution was carried. Mr Dobson moved the fourth resolution as follows :—" That inn -much as no quarrel exists between any employers and workers

in this district except such as has been imported from elsewhere, this meeting invites all workers—whether at present members of unions or not—to join this association, and thereby bring about a speedy settlement of tho present unfortunate trouble." The first part affirmed an admitted fact. Sooner or later grsat hardships would be entailed on tho community. They were a small community, and from that vory fact employers and employed wero better acquainted with each other than they were elsewhere. He thought they would all greatly rcjoico if tho resolution brought some practical fruit. Mr Deatson seconded tho resolution, and hoped tho association would receive cordial support from all classes. The resolution was carried.

The Chairman then road the rules of the proposed association. Tho sum cf £.il3o was subscribed to the protection fund. Besides this many persons who had to leave could not get near tho tables to put their names aud amounts down.

Another meeting will bo held this day week.