Latest. THE EMPLOYERS' MANIFESTO.

Evening Post, Volume XL, Issue 63, 13 September 1890, Page 2

Latest. THE EMPLOYERS' MANIFESTO.

[xmrrxD ricxbs association. | (Keooivod E»ptombor 13, 10.50 a.m.) Stdhbt, This Day. The employers have issuod a Manifesto, whioh aaya that it is fit and ptopor that their representatives Bhould exprem thoir sinoor© reirrat that, owing to the unreasonable- and antagonistic attitude assumed by labour as) , direotod by tbo loa&irs of Unions, a strike so far-reaching in its effects and of ao aoveio a cfottrnctor should exist; but it is Hover, tbelnss fheir duty to assert that the oa'iaes leading to the &trike cannot in tbo remotest degree bo traced to any notion of tbe on> ployerß. After traversing tho oauacn of tho strike, tho manifesto goes 1 on to say that by the rules of Trado Unions >t is sought in stringent regulations to secure a monopoly of work and limit tho membership ; that this is not only an injustioo to a larger amount, of labotfr outside their ranks, but contribute? to an undno interference by labour otgaxisationawithiradointhooolonios. Thetiotka adopted deserve ftofere oondemiation. Fore' most of those is tbe unjust combination of various Unions to boj'oott trado, ao far as to enforce the demands of any particular Union Concerned, and also their edicts- which tie being iisued tbat tho produotf of those, colonies, viz , ooal aud other minerals, wool, wheat,- and othor produotß from tbo land, mtfst not be carried or shipped if at »ny period of thek production or transit labour outride- of trado organisation*! had been omployocl, Aa to tho internal trade, efforts raado to prevent supplies of raw Material to nmnnfisotorios employing free labour and in the disposal! of manufactured articles, cvory opposition was give» to logitiinato realisation, but it is still room extraordinary that tho necessaries of life aro in some instanoeß refused thoße who with' hold thoir oomplianoo with the. demands o£ Trades Union p. By intimidation as practised by Trade Unionists, froe labourers are? prevented by acts of personal yioloaon front lollowiug their lawful occupation. Tiat in order to onforoo tho ediotu mentioned, »«mbers of Labour Unions, whothor directly oonoornod or not, are oompolled by to* leaders to leavo their employment, fre« quently contrary to their own' dosire and with disregard to kgal obligations. Tho employers, in the oourss of their trade, have al»o to contend with iba fact thai Labour Unions ignoro the agreements tnader by them hi their corporate oapaoity with the employers, if it suit the purpoßcr of tbo moment to repudiate them. Inoidonts which) have occurred during the present strike give abtsndsnt proof of tbe correctness of tbis assertiaa. An agreement lately made by the wharf lubonrors of Sydney was openly violated within a fow days of its completion. The present strike was forced on employers. In opposing it, passive restetnnco only was offered, and while the employers, endeavoured to conduct their bosinofß h_7 aid of free labour they have not sought in any wdy to assail Unionism, although they have striven to counteract its abuses. The proceedings atthe Conference i resultsfl in the following resolutions, which were unanimously adopted .—" That this Conference re-affirms tho f rcodom of contract, and its intent! on to resißtintimidation and boycott ng by united action ; and doolinos to be coerocd into dismissing any labour taken imto it* service during the present omergesoy. That it will also take all possible means to ensur* personal safety, interests, and disciplißev and tho protection of life and property. Thai this Conference Bhould engage not to retain ia its employ as owners, oaptains, or members of Unions who are affiliated to any of tho various labour organifationa. That with a vie w to tbe extension of tbe various Kmployera' Unions, it is desirable to encourage employers in all trades to form Unions, the latter iv turn to form Federal Conneite in each oolony, all such Councils to federate, "That this conference desires » epocdy termination of the present nneatisiactory state of affairs in order to facilitato tho resumption of trade." Tho employers are al«» urged to proclaim aB soon as possiblo tho terms on which tho engagements were made.