The Sugar Strike.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 21, 28 July 1911, Page 11

The Sugar Strike.

Our comrades in the sugar plantations of Queensland are in revolt. They ere fighting for the eight hour day, a decent wage, and decent conditions of employment. To-day in the sugaor mills of tropical Queensland men ia-re tasked to work shifts of twelve hours. It that a fair proposition? Are they justified in rebelling ? Every Union man 'and woman will unhesitatingly say: Aye. The sugar industry of Queensland is bounty-fed. Bounty-fed to swell the dividends- of the idle shareholders of the C..S.R. (Colonial Sugar Refining Co.). Controlling the industry by its monopoly, it effectively exploits the cane-growers, who in turn mercilessly exploit the sugar worker. The answer made to the men's demand is that it will "ruin the industry." We've heard that cry raised before. Is not an industry justified in being ruined if it can exist only by treating its employees as sweated slaves ? But wdl it ruin the industry? The C.S.R.'s balance-sheets tell an entirely different story. From March, 1904, to March, 1911, the Co. lias regularly paid a dividend of 10 per cent. Its stock has been freely "watered," but the 10 per cent, remains. Is that the state of a semi-ruined industry ? The industry can stand it—stand it easily. It's dividends that are wanted, larger' than ever. Human sweat and toil cannot be considered in the light of dividends. What of the fight? The men are winning. Resorting to the strike only when all attempts at a peaceful settlement failed and the request of the 8-hour day was flatly refused, the men are fighting a winning battle. " There is disruption in the ranks of the'enemy. The growers are disposed to grant the men their 8 hour day, but the monopoly which controls the mills refuses to give way. The growers are pressing for the establishment of a State refinery. This will break the obstinacy of the monopoly. Other unions are behaving in a splendid fashion; in strike-winning style. Drivers, sailors, watersiders are refusing to handle scab sugar or supplies. That about settles it. Victory is eurely within sight, with Solidarity as the watchword. By your help main-

tain that solidarity; for help is needed. In asking us to publish the circular on another page, Secretary Bertram adds: "TVe are now engaged in the greatest industrial battle that has been fought in Queensland since the big shearers' strike of '91, and the only thing needed to ensure absolute victory is reasonable financial assistance." We hope the New Zealand unions of both federations will heed the call. Vote money. Quickly. No union scabbery. Labor is winning.