TRADES UNIONISTS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 113, 8 November 1913, Page 5

TRADES UNIONISTS

ATTITUDE TOWARDS FREE LABOUR SOME " SYMPATHETIC RESOLUTIONS " DELEGATES EXPRESS INDIVIDUAL OPINIONS ONLY. Representatives of Wellington trades unions, at the instigation of tho Foderatioa of Labour, met in tho Trades Hall last evening to receive v statement from tho executive of the Federation regarding its attitude in the preaont crisis. Mr. A. H. Cooper was voted to the chair, and Mr. L. M. A. Reunion was appointed secretary. Messrs. W. T. Young and P. H. Hicltey addressed tho meeting on behalf of tho Federation, after which tho following resolutions were declared carried :-— " That this meeting of unionists j thoroughly desire to assist the workers now involved in the strike, and instruct tho various members represented to down tools when they are asked to handle or use material handled by scab labour. " That this meeting of union representatives hero assembled express confidence in the executive of tho United Federation of Labour now conducting the strike, and wo therefore pledge ourselves to do all in our power to reinstate the men on\tho waterfront; and by so doing bring about industrial peace " That this meeting protests against the registration of scab unions under tho Arbitration Act, and feel it a slur on j genuine unions to be associated with \ such."' SPIRIT OF THE MEETING Tho following review is from a wellinformed sourco, which warrants its being regarded as an authoritative and absolutely fair indication of the spirit and intention of tho mooting :■— If these resolutions be accepted literally, it would seem that the present strike is certain to bo extended to a serious degree. The resolutions, in effect, were that tho meeting assist those now involved in the strike, and instruct tho various members roprosontcd to down tools when asked to handle or use material handled by "scab labour"; that confidenca bo expressed in tho oxecutive of tho United Federation of Labour, and that a protest be entered against the registration of scab unions under tho Arbitration Act. UNIONS COULD NOT BE PLEDGED. So much for the resolutiono; but tho public ought to know just what power and force is behind tho terms of tho decisions. If we tako tho first resolution (and this applios in pirt to all of them), the meeting was composed of delegates who could at most express an individual opinion, and in no sense could they pledgo the unions represented. If the terms of tho first resolution be analysed closely, it will be observed that tho meeting of unionists, who represented only individual opinions, instructed tho various members represented to down tools. It is pointed out that tho terms of the resolution really cvii only apply to the members present, which is an absurd position. In other words, tho delegates had no power to instruct anybody to down tools. The question of striking must be considered and decided by the unions concerned, and not by ' irresponsible individuals, of whom a large number aro already involvod in tho strike. The meeting contained a very largo representation of Federationiats, who cannot bo blamed for trying to save their face, even at tho expense of innocent people. Tho representatives of moderate Labour were in the minority. It is fair to state thcao facts in view of the extensive misrepresentation that haa generally been practised in Connection with tho strike. DEFENDING INDUSTRIAL SOLIDARITY. The meeting was well attended, and lasted close on three hours. Tho tone of_ tho meeting was impetuous, and, as might be expected at a critical time liko tho present, very little consideration was given to the established facts of the position, and most of tho talk ranged around the necessity for winning tho fight on behalf of organised labour. Rightly or wrongly, a majority of the meeting believed that tho Employers'Federation was bent on bmashing trades unionism, despito the fact that it has been abundantly established that tho employers bimply want to eiisuro a standard of common honesty in the ob-

servarice of industrial agreements. However, that was tho fooling of the majority, and. dominated by that feeling, tho resolutions were carried. A FOREGONE CONCLUSION. _ It is pointed out by men with unquestionable- knowledge of inner affairs that it was not surprising that such resolutions were carried The meeting from tho oulset was influenced, and was subsequently assured of the contention that the Employers' Federation desire to crush all forms of unionism, and in such circumstances it was inevitable that tho meeting should express confidence in the executive of tho United Federation of Labour. THE REASONABLE MINORITY. Various opinions were expressed as to the probable outcome ' of tho strike. Tho majority believed that the strike could yet be won. The minority held j that the first duty of the meeting was Ito endeavour to settle the strike. No means were devised to effect tho desire of the minority. |It was urged that there were still means of settlement, <;nd that_ a policy of settlement was more in the interests of the workers than a prolonged continuance and extension of the strike. CERTAIN PROTEST JUSTIFL ABLE. As to_ the resolution protesting against the registration of quasi-Arbitrationists, it was felt that a protest was justifiable, especially in cases similar to tho registration of tho36 workers who are loading tha Athenic. It is thought that tho methods of avoiding a charge of employing what has been designated "freo labour" are. although quite in keeping with tho industrial laws of tho country, in the nature of trickery. The registration of the new waterside workers is Interpreted as tt strategical move which holds enough cunning to annoy workers, and is unlikely to accomplish its object. That. «t any > rate, is tho genuine feeling of the strikers, and was made mani j fest at the meeting.