GENERAL STRIKE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 16034, 14 September 1912, Page 12

GENERAL STRIKE.

POSSIBILITIES DISCUSSED. SOME AUCKLAND OPINIONS. [Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, September 13. The constantly-recurring threat of n general strike has for some time past been tho feature of tho utterances of prominent members of extreme Labour circles. It lias been vaguely indicated from time to time that an early movement of a combined nature may bo expected. In view of these statements it was deemed opportune to endeavour to ascertain precisely what is in the minds of the leaders who would bo responsible for paralysing industrial enterprises in New Zealand for however brief a time should the contemplated effort succeed. Alauy employers do not think there is any probability of .a general strike being actually brought about or of it proving successful if it should take place, because on the whole the average working man in the dominion is a sensible person except when he is misguided bv false friends in the shape of socialistic agitators. Nevertheless, there is no doubt that the idea of a stupendous struggle has taken definite form, and it is interesting to view tiro position from the standpoint of some ol’ the members of tho executive of the Federation of Labour.

Some well-informed workers have given a representative of the “Herald” the following interesting statement as to how matters stand and what advantages they and their following expect to gain were ft general strike to be brought to a successful issue. In the first- place it is stated that the Federation does intend to take a definite stand at the end of tho present year or tho beginning of next year, either at Christmas or Now Year. Several of the agreements under which affiliated unions are now working terminate during December or January next. This is the case with the miners, general labourers and waterside workers, most of whom, it is declared, are far from satisfied with their present conditions of labour. It is the intention of the Federation, so far as can be gathered, to make application for new agreements from tho employers concerned. At about the time named fresh demands will be formulated for the different branches of labour represented by tho unions affiliated to the Federation. These will seek to reduce hours and increase pay. The supporters of the movements profess to be confident-that they will be financially strong enough to make demands on their employers and obtain them, if need he," at the point of the bayonet. In’that connection it is declared that tho failure of any one Union to obtain fair treatment from its employers will be the signal for a general stoppage of work throughout the dominion. Iho extremists favouring this step build upon tho loyalty of the whole of the affiliated unions to bring about a complete 'paralysis of industry, and say that victory must go to labour. They count, too, upon tho co-operation of shearers, numbering 3589 workers. In the event of a general strike 14,097 members of the affiliated unions enumerated below would l>o directly involved, but it is believed that a total of 18,000 to 20,000 would he out. Tho Unions in the Federation of Labour, with their membership, are:— Waikato rmnei-3 475, Dnnniston miners 401 Granitv miners 390, State minors (D; mol lie) 400, Otago and Green Island miners 3)1, Puponga miners 54, Taitapu miners -20- Waihi miners (before present strike) 900, Thangahua miners 700, Blackball miners 210. Dojinisten engine-drivers 20, Seddonvillo 90, Klripr>ka 35, West Coast workers 300. Canterbury labourers 954, Auckland genera] labourers 800, West-port Labour Union 190, Wellington waterside workers 1000, Auckland waterside workers 750, Foxtail waterside workers 2o Dunedin waterside workers 278, Nelson waterside workers 50, Lyttelton waterride workers 355, Timaru watersde workers 140, Picton and Pa tea waterside workers 63, Auckland tramway men 475, Greymoutb waterside workers 190 Westport waterside workers 123. Shearers’ Association 3589. Auckland brewery workers 141, /Wellington gas stokers 35. Alanawatu flaxmillers b 23; total. 14.077. . , Labour extremists omestioned on the subject state that in the event of the employees declaring a general lock-out it would not seriously affect the situation. They give as a reason for that optimistic view that members of the Federation have been warned to hold themselves in readiness for a great struggle, and have in consequence been saving their money against a period of unemployment. ' Tlio foregoing statements regarding Labours attitude on a general strike are, it should he clearly understood, merely a statement of the case by those in sympathy with the extreme section of workers.