UNIONISM.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 268, 21 November 1901, Page 3

UNIONISM.

(To the Editor of the Tinas.)

S IR! _Ia reply to a correspondent writing in vour issue of Saturday last, signing himself J. B. Harries, carpenter and joiner. His heading, carpenters and carpenters, I quite agree with, but I would also like to ask him if there are not joineis and joiners also in Gisborne, and if being able to join two pieces of wood together with a four-inch nail constitutes a joiner. I should think so by some of the joinery I have seen the short while I have been in Gisborne. I am speaking of “ some,” not all, as your correspondent seems to place all “ Downtrods ” in the same category. He sa3’s, I complain of “ some ” firms sending men fifty or sixty miles, and expecting them .to pay own ex’s. Hoes he not know that a Union would prevent them doing so '? He says, also, a Union would not last three ruontns in Gisborne, but also admits that the amalgamated society of carpenters and joiners flourishes in New Zealand. The reason he seems to give why it would not also flourish in Gisborne is that the poorest of New Zealand carpenters congregate in Gisborne ; I venture to assert that he is a little astray. I venture to say that some of the “ Downtrods ” are as 1 capable of putting carpenter and joiner after their name as your correspondent is [ (I say some advisedly). If ho places me in the same category as he places the others, as a cab driver or rouseabout, I can assure him he is barking up the wrong tree, as I can prove that I have been working as a carpenter and contractor in its various stages for at least twentysix years. Perhaps your correspondent happens to do a little contracting on his own account occasionally (and the Union hits that class of man rather hard), ns he must either be a workman or a contractor. He cannot be the one to-day and the other to-morrow. I maintain thon that a < union among workmen benefits the legitimate contractor, as by cutting out the small man it enables him to obtaiu a better price for his work. Ho is then able to pay his men a fair wage. There is one thing I would like to tell your correspondent that ho does not seem to be aware of: That wages can be fixed by the Secretary of the Union (with the consent of tho Union, of course), whereby men who arc unable to earn the stipulated wage can be classed and paid their real value, not two shillings a day less as at present. lam told a union was started in Gisborne a few years ago, but did not last. Is that any reason, might I ask, why a Union should not last now with an Arbitration Court to enforce its awards ? I say no, the unionism of today is a very different thing to that of a few years ago, as arbitration properly applied should be a happy mediator between employer and employed, and prevent either party from becoming too aggressive. I say neither side should be allowed too much power, but I maintain that a competent workman should receive 10s per day. Can your correspondent point out one union in New Zealand that has started since tho Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners in Christchurch started that have not been content to remain as they are without further appeal to the Arbitration Court, or have ceased to exist as a union? I have endeavored (to reply in as short a space as possible, but have found it rather difficult to explain myself in so short a space and reply to all your correspondent’s assertions. Thanking you in anticipation.—l am, etc., A Down-tkodden Carpenter. Splendid lot of Pulley Celts and Latest Novelties in Ladies’ Scarves, from lid each to 3s 9d each; just landed, direct from London.—C. Rosie and Co.