LOYALTY AND DISLOYALTY.

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 July 1916, Page 3

LOYALTY AND DISLOYALTY.

- (To the Editor.) Sir, —My “Star” is generally 2-1 hours old when I receive it, and then 1 have 2-i hours to wait, before the mails leave here, hence ray delay in replying to Mr.' Feary. He wants to know what the “select few” are disloyal to. Let him take it from me, as one of tho.oldest trade unionists,' as well as one of the oldest miners on the Coast, that they ’are disloyal to the-principles of true trade unionism as well as disloyal to their country. I think I gave sufficient reasons jn my last letter. If not, I wjll give a few more. Who causes these one, two, and three days’ strikes here (we had one yesterday, Thursday)? Who are the mOn who are trying this restriction policy on the output of coal here, to the detriment of the miners and management Who are tho men who are causing all this friction between the miners and managers? Who are the men who, after creating trouble here, slink away into tho background and blame tho other fellow ? I.W.W.’s and lied Feds, every time and always. Mr. Editor, I will give your readers three instances of the class of men we have up here, who, if their talents had been made use of in the country they came from, would tend to have lifted their - fellow-workmen up a bit. One man said lie had to dig up .potatoes in the United States of America for about 2s a day. ■ Another said ho had to deliver milk in a New York suburb for about 13s a week. Another, one was slroo’ed out of a Government institution not far from Christchurch, for not being as loyal in his sentiments as he should ho. These are the class of “miners” we have out Now, if any of these T.W.W.’s or Red Feds, will come to my camp, I will give- then) tw*> hours’education on the principles of true trade unionism’, free gratis,,and for nothing-, and if i mention the word “strike” I will shout for the mob. When they mention that word, “strike,” in Hilton’s hearing they bump up against a bit of a. snag. MV chief contention i s the disgraceful, despicable, and disl jy;il attitude of the “select few” who are trying to harass the recruiting hoards in this district, and at the same time persuading, publically, eligible young men from doing their duty ns citizens. As regards Mr. Peary’s allegations in regard to the

.voting on that truly democratic measure, the Conscription. Bill, I had no chance of voting, and a few of my friends, who hold the same views as myself, also never had a, chance, 'so your readers can. l\>nn their own opinions. But, all the same, I refer the individuals mentioned above to the severe shaking up that Mr. Isitt dealt out to their M.P. last week, when lie accused the said M.P. cf arrogance, self-conceit, and ignorance of the subject that he was talking' about, the Military Bill. Surely these individuals can get a man and not a boy, who should at .least' study his dictionary before rushing into print to take nip the cudgels on their behalf. Thanking you, Mr. Editor, for —J - nm. etc, TOM HILTON. Ex-President, State Miners’ Union.