“THE NEED FOR UNIONS.”

Evening Star, Issue 26043, 6 March 1947, Page 10

“THE NEED FOR UNIONS.”

ro THE KDITOH. Sir,—The . letter of “ Volunteer ” published in your issue of the 3rd inst. deserves the closest attention of every citizen who Ims the welfare of this Dominion at heart. In effect the strain running through his letter is, “ AVe want it and we’re going to have it.” Apparently he voices the spirit now animating the trade union movement in this country —“ The other fellow’s extremity is vour opportunity.” The transparent falsity of most of his allegations is apparent to anyone with a full knowledge of the facts. In World War 1., the sons of nobility of Britain gave themselves as a sacrifice, and by the time the first battle of the Somme had been fought, were practically exterminated. AVliere, may I ask, were the Shinwells and the Herbert Morrisons at that time (or at any other time during the war)? The greatest profiteers in Britain at that period were the munition workers, who at one stage threatened to sell the pass to Germany by striking for higher wages at a time when there was a critical shortage of shells, although those ■ same munition workers were then receiving at least thirty times the ipay of the Tommy in the trenches. Where were our own Labour leaders in World War I.? If they had had their way World AVar 11. would, never have been fought, for New Zealand would have been a German colony. “ Volunteer,” who is obviously a supporter of the present Government, was promised by that Government that there would be “ equality of sacrifice.” If that promise was not kept, who is to blame? “ Volunteer ” says that he and his friends would get nothing except for the trade unions. He is quite correct. Nothing is the word. By their restriction of working' hours, and their extravagant demands, the unions have made it impossible for houses to be built, for clothes to be obtained, and for food to be decently distributed. The luxuries of life are, I admit, for the moneyed classes—only represented in this country by. the wageearners and trade unionists generally. The apostles of Socialism have always pictured it as bringing love, happiness, and self-sacrifice in its train. Here in New Zealand we have been brought to the realisation that it brings nothing but shortages, inefficiency, selfishness, avarice, greed, hatred, and discontent as its accompaniments.

The trade unionist of to-day, to judge by present events, has the same ethical ideas as the robber barons of feudal Europe. The present financial position of Britain contains all the seeds of disaster for “Volunteer” and his friends, and indeed for our whole national economy. By their present extravagant demands, our trade unionists hasten the day of this disaster.—l am, etc., Birmingham. March 5.