STRAIGHT SPEAKING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 3945, 30 May 1913, Page 5

STRAIGHT SPEAKING.

THE FREE LABOR AGREEMENT

DISCUSSION BY FARMERS’

UNION.

THE EGG AND THE MARE’S NEST

[press association telegram] CHRISTCHURCH, May 29. At the North Canterbury Farmers’ Union Conference the president; Mr Geo. Sheat, said that they would have to consider a very important subject which was the practically admitted suggestion of a conference between the shipping companies and tho Federation of Labor. If there was a movement of combination between the shipping companies and tho waterside workers giving preference to unionists over free labor, it would be a very serious matter indeed to tlio farming community.

Mr R. Evans said that while in Timaru recently he had found out that there was certainly something in the matter, though some wanted to believe that there was nothing in it. Consequently, he had much pleasure in moving:

“That this conference emphatically protests against any shipping company or companies entering into any agreement with the Federation ’of Labor or any other labor organisation other than agreements under an award of the Arbitration Court. This conference also specially requsets shipping companies operating at Timaru to give absolute preference of employment to the new union formed there representing the free laborers who came forward and kept that nort .open.” Mr Evans continuer] that a prominent shipping official in Dunedin had said the whole alleged combine was a “mare’s nest,” but- ho (the speaker) was prepared to prove that a proposal for the conference had come from Dunedin. If tlie eoinpanies would allow their letter books to be investigated. He considered that the Union Steam Ship Company was getting to be a dangerous monopoly in New Zealand. The Christchurch “Press” had endeavoured to whitewash some of the companies, and said that it did not think that the directors of shipping companies would bo guilty of such actions as were alleged, but he again asserted that if certain of tlio shipping companies would open their letter books ho was prepared to prove that the proposal for a conference between some of the companies and the Federation of Labor was no “mare’s nest.” but a fact. They had not found a “mare’s nest,” but an egg, and they were about to crack that egg. He had spoken temperately upon tho matter and could say a lot more if he wanted to, but he was prepared to stake his reputation that what ho had said was true.

Mr G. W. Holland seconded the motion, and said it would bo a- crying shame if the shipping companies threw over the men who had stood by them when they were in trouble. Mr C. H. Ensor spoke in favor of the motion.

Mr S. Wold said he thought that they should delete the words in the motion giving preference to tlio new union, as that was contradicting the principles of the Farmers’ Union, which were against preference. The President said lie thought what was meant was that the shipping companies should stand by the new union of former free laborers as against the strikers. Mr Evans assented and said lie would be prepared to move his motion in two parts, the first portion down to the words “Arbitration Court.” Mr Horrcll said they were all fairly well satisfied that the conference and agreement had been suggested, although possibly-no actual conefrence had been held.' They must nail their colors to tho mast and stand by the free laborers, because there were possibly further troubles ahead of them in tlio- near future. Mr Leadley said the- matter, unless dealt with in a- firm way, would lie dangerous in future. It would be ’interesting to know exactly what had been done . Tliev all knew what the Federation of Labor had done in the past- —how it had ignored agreements and worked its own sweet will with the industries of the colony to their detriment. Ho then read the- constitution of the Federation of Labor making appropriate comments upon its tents. How the companies could lend themselves to the handing over of the industries of the Dominion to a body with such aims and projects was utterly beyond his comprehension. If the Federation could come to such an agreement it would certainly have justified its existence and could go to its lab.or conefrence and boast of what it had done with some excuse. Mr Speaks referred to the capital made bv some of -the shipping companies out of the compulsory rise in wages, which generally left them with a handsome profit. No wonder the companies would lend themselves to such an affair and it was an excellent tiling, lie thought, that tlio matter had coine up then, and in the form it Evans said the danger they had to face was tho fact that tho companies would not fight. They would agree and agree and keep on making agreements with the men, but they would not fight. They wanted peace at any price. The motion was tho put in its abbreviated form and passed unanim Referring to the second clause of tho motion the President said it was only what had been done by the freezing companies or the men who were willing to assist them at a time of stress, and should certainly be supported He would suggest that the word “option” instead of “preference” be used, and Mr Evans accepted the alteration. Mr Leadley suggested that equal opportunity” be substituted for option/’ and in this changed form tho toward copies Of these resolutions to the Union Co™ pany, Shaw, Savill Company and tho N.Z. Shipping Company. , It is understood that a meeting representatives of the s hipP m ß ' names which, it was reported, was to K held in Christchurch to-morrow, will not be held this week, if at all.

AN EMPHATIC PROTEST,

SOUTH CANTERBURY CHAMBER

OF COMMERCE MOVING

TIMARU, May 29. The South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce enters an emphatic protest ao-akist tlio proposed conference of a slTipping company or companies with the Federation of Labor to giant a close corporation to _ the watei Side workers to the prejudice of all employers of labor throughout the Dominion, and trusts that shipowners will do nothing to disturb the employment of labor which came forward to fill tho position during the recent" trouble in Timaru.