IS IT A FOOL'S GAME ?

Evening Post, Volume C, Issue 88, 11 October 1920, Page 7

IS IT A FOOL'S GAME ?

THE TEST IS WHAT DO iOU GET OUT OF IT? (Contributed by the New Zealand Welfare Li-ague.) To the Waterside Workers, Wellington. , Men, whether you agree with tho league or not you will recognise that it speaks straight. We do not hedge, trim, or side step. With regard to recent stoppages of work on the wharves you know that in oach instance it has been the- men who first stopped work, or refused engagement. Whether the employers or yourselves were right in every dispute, discussion, or trouble we do not care a dump. The fact stands tint that the men started the trouble" by refusing engagement, or knocking off work. The question that we invite you to face is the sams one as we put on Mekai Maru case:— . , WHAT DO YOU GET OUT OF IT? In the case of the Calm the men lost pay for the time they would have been at work on her. In addition, all those who would have been at work on the boats laid off "on account of the trouble lost pay. "'What do you get out of it?" You all lost time more or less, during which your rent, board, and the whole keep of yourselves and your families had to be mot. We wonder ii the married men amongst you have never had your wives ask you the plain question, "What do you get out of it?" From the information that we can gather there is an average of/1100 men employed on the wharves during the regular course of working the port. On the other hand, wo learn that after one of these stop-work troubles by which the ships are held back the number securing temporary employment to meet the rush of work goes up to about 1600 men. That means that the work is spread over a greater number oJ: men, the regular watersiders have lost in pay, and have little chance of making it up. Surely we are right in asking the regular waterside workers —"What do you get out of ; ANOTHER SIDE TO THINK OF. You men are .practical men, and you ought to know that for some time the Government has been using all its powers to get more. Home shipping diverted to the Dominion. The question must be faced that if these recurring stoppages of work occur at this port the shipping may be driven elsewhere. At least, the Homo and foreign shipping firms may decide that they caji do better business by sending their ships to ports where there is less trouble and delay, and if that occurs there will be less work for you, with more competition for it. A policy that may produce such results is one of which, as practical men, you should ask, "What will we get out of it?" ' : ■ THE PUBLIC EFFECT. Thore is little need for us to poijit.out that all these stoppages of work add to the cost of the goods that pass over the wharves. You a,ll realise that the increased charges are ultimately passed on to the consumers. 'You are part of the body of consumers, and as such you have again to consider, "What do you get out of it?" The workers off the wharves as well as yourselves are hit by the increase on cargoes, for* you can depend upon it that they as well as you have to pay, pay. ,_ What kind of Labour policy is it that makes every stoppage an .attack upon the living- of the workers, and on their wives and children ? Does it not look like a fool's game? „ We are not attacking you in pressing this question on your attention.;. anJ in the interest of your welfare, and that of your families, wo trust you will give it your most serious thought.