FOOLISH ATTEMPTS AT SECRECY

Evening Post, Volume CI, Issue 62, 14 March 1921, Page 8

FOOLISH ATTEMPTS AT SECRECY

TO THI EBITOR. Sir,—To me it is most amusing to read that the employers and waterside workern representatives have decided that nothing be published until the men's representatives have an opportunity of reporting to their unions. This was childish, for the reason that it is all published now. By merely applying deductive reasoning to the facts disclosed, and which are known to everybody, it is easy to arrive at what has occurred. For instance, these facts are generally known: the dispute was over a bonus, the discussions we,re protracted, shortly after Mr. Massey took a hand the dispute closed, the men speedily returned to work evidently with the full approval 'of their leaders. Now, from these facts it is an easy matter to deduce that the proceedings took this form and conolusiou. Messrs. Koberts and Co. tried hard to get the employers to consider the matter of- higher rates, they submitted various arguments, but the employers would not consider any such matter, and refused any increase in the bonus previously offered. The men's representatives finally gave way and agreed to recommend to the unions to accept the penny per hour. The employers for a time pressed upon tho other side that a. special assurance or guarantee should be given that the men v.culd work overtime. Mr. Massey brought to bear the weighty political reason for the present financial stringency, which might lead to tho men having to consider a reduction rather than an increase of pay. After much talk, the employers found that no guarantee which the waterside workers' representatives might give would be of any value, and only the working guarantee of the men themselves could count. Finally, it was agreed that the Federation's representatives reaffirm the . agreement under which they guarantee that no restrictions relating to overtime work shall bi permitted, and the employers accepted that a« a setttament.

It can be seen that the essential points of the 'settlement.aro that no increase in bonus was givon and that no special guarantee was signed by the federation's representatives. I have drawn the conclusions that: (a) The reason why the federation's representatives have not published anything' about the bonus is that they have nothing to publish, (b) That they are meeting the unions to rooommend acceptance of the bonus of Id per hour because nothing mogj is secured, (c) That the employers have not published any special guarantee, because there is none. The whole occurrence shows the stupidity of secrecy. It is a simple matter of deduction to get the whole story.—l am., SHERLOCK HOLMES, JUN.