The Grey River Argus. FRIDAY, March 19, 1933. THE TIMBER DISPUTE.

Grey River Argus, 10 March 1933, Page 4

The Grey River Argus. FRIDAY, March 19, 1933. THE TIMBER DISPUTE.

It lias possibly been the expectation of a majority of West Coast sawmill employers that the men all would, in the ultimate result, submit tamely, without a stand, to whatever wages cut might be imposed on them. If so. they will now realise that they have been mistaken. A significant feature of the dispute in the industry is the fact that not all of the employers are prepared to make the maximum wages reduction a greater consideration than either continuity of production or harmony in the industry. No doubt, a section, at least, realise that, a wage imposed otherwise than by means of a mutual agreement is calculated to create lasting discontent and friction in the conduct of operations. At the lasi conference, there had been a suggestion for the consideration of a form of compromise, it is quite certain that the rank and file of the Union are. not going to accept less than the 12s 8d per day to which they have agreed to reduce the minimum that existed in the agreement that has just expired. As an earnest of this determination, work this evening will cease at one of the mills, involving more than forty Unionists. The employers should therefore give, the question their serious consideration in time to avert an extension of the stoppage. The men ape evidently not going to let the matter rest as it stands at present. It is evident

that in the absence of any steps meanwhile towards an agreement, J other mills will shortly be in the ' same position as that at Te Kinga. The general public must recognise that the timber workers are only defending their just rights. By comparison with any other form of labour, or by reference to its product, their labour is worth at least the valuation which they place upon it . in the terms which they are willing to accept. They undoubtedly uro less able to sacrifice any more than the employers are to pay what the Union asks. Although the spectacle of so many unemployed may have influenced certain millers in their attitude, if they expect to replace their present employees from the ranks of the unemployed, they are likely to have a further surprise, because, the unemployed generally may be relied to realise that this is a workers’ fight, and to stand on the side of the wageearners, rather than on that of the wage-cutters. Moreover, the arduous toil at the mills is no ati ruction for any man at rates below those for which the Union asks. The country is suffering to-day as much from too low wages and too little purchasing power as it is from any other adverse factor. The Timber Workers’ Union has always been particularly conciliatory in its attitude towards the employers, whence the public will be justified in judging that their goodwill has on this occasion been imposed upon. The sort of wage schedule desired by many of the employers is one apparently that would put the workers in a far ■worse economic position than they have been had for at least a quarter of a century past. The industry is one which calls for harder toil than perhaps any other in the country, and the damp conditions on the West ('oast make matters only the more difficult. No doubt, it. might please not a few employers were there no organisation among the men, especially at such a time as this when the former legal protection for labour no longer exists, and employers in so many directions are going the limit, in exploiting the workers. Unionism as well as the standard of existence for timber workers is thus at stake on this occasion, and the. Unionists are obviously at one in their perception of that particular phase of the matter. In view of the fact that the employers, under the terms to which the 1 nion is prepared to agree, will be obtaining a substantial advantage in comparison to the terms of the agreement that has just expired, they should be very well satisfied with the. wages concession which they are being offered. While the stoppage of the industry on any considerable scale would be regrettable from every standpoint, it can be said with every fairness that if it does come to pass, the responsibility will rest with those who have been influenced by a spirit of selfishness rather than by one of conciliation.