A PLEA FOR UNITY.

Grey River Argus, 10 January 1928, Page 3

A PLEA FOR UNITY.

Federated Seamen. ! FAVOUR AFFILIATION WITH ALLIANCE OF LABOUR. The following circular has been issued by the Federated Seamen of N.Z.:— Fellow Members-—The question of paying our capitation tees owing to the Alliance of Labour was discussed at the Auckland stop-work meeting held on October 4th., 1927. The opin ion that the Alliance of Labour, under its present leadership, was of nu use to the Unions of N.Z., was freely expressed. As a result of the discussion the f<dh»wing resolution was carried :— “That the question be asked at all stop-work meetings next month: ‘Are you in favour of remaining affiliated to the Alliance of Labour.” ” The Management Committee in considering this resolution, realised that it opened up a question of paramount importance as to the immediate and future policy of the Seamen’s Union, and felt that it was incumbent upon it, as an executive body, to as sist members in making an analysis of the Alliance of Labour and the Seamen’s relation thereto. The first purpose of a Trade Union is to carry on a relentless fight against the Employing Class. Any other activities in which they engage should always be regarded as secondary. As the structure of a union is determined by its function, it is clear that the whole question of control ami manage ment must be ordered so as best to further this main purpose. 'l’he Employing Class stands as one united body in its fight against the working class. It is therefore up to the working class to take their leson from the employers, anti build up a united Industrial movement whereby they can effectively fight the Employing Class who are making a fierce attack on the wages ami conditions of the workers of this country through the medium of their National executive—the State. The relief wages of 9/- and 12/per day; the proposed amendments to the Arbitration Act providing for piecework, and placing the pastoral workers outside the Court because of their weakness and inability to maintain their present wages and condi-

tions. —these are the first points of attack by the Employing Class Machine. If th? working class do not make preparations to resist the onslaught on their wages and conditions it will not be long before the attack is made on wages and conditions of workers organised in other unions, including ours. In view of this the Management Committee is of the opinion that the necessity for a united front against the employing class is greater now than ever before in the history of the labour movement of the country. If we isolate ourselves from the rest of the working class by withdrawing from the Alliance of Labour, our position, along with the other Trade Unions in this country will be weakened. The Management Committee is therefore definite in the opinion that our Union, along with all other unions in this country, is in a far stronger position to wage a struggle against the Employing class when affiliated to a national organisation. We feel certain that the overwhelming majority of our members are in agreement with us on this point. There is, however, ia wide difference of opinion on the question of remaining affiliated to a national organisation which has reactionary, weak-kneed officials at its head. The question as to whether a union should withdraw from a national body be- - -m -

cause its leaders are unreliable was unmistakably answered by our members on January 25tlq, 1927, when, instead of leaving the Union, the members ami branches remained affiliated to the National Organisation and removed Young and his gang, thereby strengthening their own organisation by staying within and out such officials, y If the tactics of remaining in your own organisation and removing such officials has been proved a correct policy, fighting for clean, definite workingthen the same tactics of remaining affiliated to the Alliance of Labour and class leadership must also be a correct policy. The Management Committee therefore recommends to the membership of our organisation the imperative necessity of remaining affiliated to the Alliance of Labour and maintaining a united front against the employing class attack on the wages and conditions of the workers. We also stress the urgent necessity of active co-operation with all sections oi the militant workers who are prepared to fight for an effective national organisation with a militant working class policy, guided by capable leaders fully conscious of their aims. On befhalf of the Management Committee, FELIX NEWFILED, General Secretary.