"THE RIGHT TO WORK"

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 1, 1 July 1922, Page 8

"THE RIGHT TO WORK"

AND THE WILL NOT TO WORK. TO THE EDITOR. I Sir,—We note that Mr. P. Fraser, M.P., has* put the following question to the Prime Minister: "Whether the Government will introdiice legislation this session recognising the right-to-work principle?1' : This is presented with an expressed desire,to help the unemployed, and with that object we have the fullest sympathy. ' We have in mind, however, that last year when the Wellington Civic League took up the matter most earnestly of securing-, funds for the .employment of men out of work, and by which a number of men were employed, to the benefit of themselves and their dependents, Mr. Fraser and his Red associates showed but little active sympathy towards that movement. : "The right-of-work principle" sounds Very well, but what,- broadly, does it mean? When the Red advocates, by their extreme methods, are found hampering the industries of the country, ■ are they • supporting the right ,to work or destroying .the opportunity 'to work which would otherwise exist?

We have had presented to us the cases of a number of men, who have wanted to go to work on the wharves, "but the union has refused to .allow them membership unless they paid down £2 9s, and the shipping companies would not employ them because of this tyrannical form of preference.r What becomes of .the right to work for these men? Is the right on© that must;be bought by.payment of high fees and subjection-to extreme policies, which the: individual worker entirely disagrees with? In our opinion the Government and Parliament should at once make provision to prevent individuals being debarred from the opportunity to earn their . livelihood by any combination, agreement, or other action of either unions or employers. At the present time the country is faced -with the spectacle of the South ■Wand slaughtermen, who, having, the full right and opportunity to work, refuse to work-unlees they can get all their own way. In talking . abemt the right to work-we" have to keep in mind that on many occasions, moved by Socialist agitators, bodies of workers; exhibit the will not to work. Mr. Fraser wants to establish .the rule that; the Government will supply work .to all who want it. Can he, or; anybody else, guarantee; that employment will always be. -accepted when offered? The right to work and the right not to work. The right of the .individual to all privileges. ami .no. responsibilitiiesl All . rights to. the individual and all duties on the Government—such is' 'the social philosophy of these class-conscious revolutionists. ' When the Russian Soviet Government sought to establish the right-to-work principle, it soon found that it was necessary to apply the corollary of compulsory labour. Instead of dwelling upon abstract principle if jGovenunisnt will give due attention to the matter of freeing industries from their present excessive,burdens that will have effect in the way of providing greater opportunities of employment. Given full opportunities of work the right to work establishes' itself, unless in the oases where class unionism, by an iniquitous system of preference, may victimise individual workers who show a spirit of independence.—We are, etc., N.Z. WELFARE LEAGUE. 29th Juno. j