CORRESPONDENCE

Grey River Argus, 16 May 1933, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE

(To the Editor.) Sir,— Your correspondent ‘‘ln Toto’’ whose letter was published in to-day’s (Monday’s) issue, asks several questions pertaining to the conference of Labour organisations which is to be held in Greymouth next Saturday. “In Toto’’ tells us we ought to organise nationally, ami not locally. He holds that a national organisation is the only way to build up a movement. He admits that Labour Unions and organisations are boycotted by business men; that victimisation is practised; and that gaol gates open readily for the champions of the unemployed. Yet he suggests that these pernicious practices should be taken lying down in a district where 5000 unionists work, live and spend their earnings. Although not a convenor of the confer-

ence, I will, in my own poor way, endeavour to enlighten “In Toto,’’ and, perhaps, others like him, who think there is no need for such a conference. Tn the first place, it is true that in certain walks of life a person who belongs to a I’nion is openly sneered at, not only by the bosses but by fellow workers. The first opportunity is taken to discharge such a person as an agitator or a mischief maker. If your correspondent does not believe this, let him make enquiries around the shops, offices and business premises in Grey- 1 mouth, Westport and Hokitika and find out how many business organisations there are that bar unionism altogether. Up might find out at the same time how many business people there are who are openly hostile to a unionist being on their premises for any purpose other than to spend the money he earns. Then, if this is not convincing, let him open the pages of the u Grey River Argus’’ and note how many firms openly boycott the paper that is practically owned and controlled by the local Unions. Then he should ask himself what it is that keeps these business people going; and if he does not come to the conclusion that it is the spending power of the workers, whether they work in the field, factory, mine or shop, there is something wrong with his make up. To me, Sir, it is high time the workers organised their spending power and thereby advanced their unions and organisations until the name of Unionist will be honoured and not sneered at. I would also suggest to <r ln Toto’’ that a national organisation is made up of district affiliations, and that the strength of such is in direct ratio to its component parts. There-

fore, as a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, so is a national organisation only as strong as its weakest affiliation. In conclusion, I sincerely trust that Saturday’s conference will be a success, and the outcome will be a very much greater number of unionists, and that the spending power of the workers will be. so organised that it will not pay opponents to boycott any section of the Labour Movement.—l am, etc., SOCIALIST.

HOKITIKA BOROUGH AFFAIRS (To the Editor.) Sir.—l wish to congratulate Or. M. ( McGavin on the very definite stand he took at the Council table at the first meeting of that body, in objecting to the position of Town Clerk being held b v a retired superanuated Civil Servant. I can assure him. thai he has the moral support of a very large majority of ratepayers and publie generally. While no 'other Coun cillor supported Mr McGavin. I no tiee from the report that not one of them made an effort to justify the position, and so Cr. McGavin found only a silent, though solid, opposition to his objection. The electors should reme>mber this when next election comes round

Also Sir, I not ice that the Mayor again sidestepped the question of how Mr Lodge was appointed. Cr. M - Gavin asked to be shown on tne Minute Books where the request was made by the Clerk for extra assistance, and where the appointment was made by the Council, and which members supported it, etc. This question was not answered, the Mayor stating that the fact that the salary payments were passed by the Council and duly audited was sufficient! This method Sir. anav suit the Mayor and Councillors, but it does not suit a large body of Borough electors, as shown by the very heavy vote polled by Mr McGavin, and •.Iso the fact that the three new candidates Cr. Stuart faced his first contest this time) headed the poll the old Councillors all being lower down. “I understand. Sir, that Cr. McGavin challenged the Mayor to resign and contest it again on these issues and go and test th e feeling of the electors. It is a great pity that Hokitika does not possess a few more Councillors of Mr McGavin’s independant spirit to look after their interests. Perhaps the electors will wake up next time. I am etc. RATEPAYER.