THE BOOKBINDERS AND MESSRS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8376, 2 October 1890, Page 3

THE BOOKBINDERS AND MESSRS.

TO THE EDITOK.

Sik, —In order to explain the position of the bookbinders lately in the employ of Messrs. Whitcombe and Tombs, Christchuroh, it is necessary to go a little further into details than that firm have done in their letter published in your issue of the 9th instant.

The original difficulty cropped up at the end of lasb February by the Typographical Association of Canterbury asking certain concessions from the Master Printers' Aseociation in which we as bookbinders were nob directly interested. All the printing houses in Christchurch agreed to those concessions or modifications of the same with the exception of Messrs. Whitcombe and Tombs. At this time they told their bookbinders that the directors had determined not to employ any union men in their establishment, and also said they must either leave their unioa or bo dismissed from the firm's employ. The bookbinders decided to remain true to their union principles, and consequently they received notice that their services would not be required. Subsequently a deputation from the Canterbury Trades Council (with whom the Bookbinders' Union is affiliated) interviewed the firm, who consented to withdraw their objection to union labour,and would employ either union or non-union hands. The deputation advised the men to return to work, which they accordingly did. After ib was suggested to the men to send a letter to the directors on the lines you printed on the 9th instant. The men did not think their union principles were compromised in any way, or they would never have been led to have any communication of this description with the firm. The idea the men had at that time was that they (the employes) would nob submit any proposals to the firm, and the men contend they have not submitted auy proposals. The Maritime Council, in whose hands the printers' difficulty was placed, knew nothing of the existence of the letter to the directors, neither do the Canterbury Trades Council. The men simply look upon this as a private matter between themselves and Whitcombe and Tombs. The Maritime Council called the bookbinders out, because. Whitcombe and Tombs (Limited) would not discuss the proposals submitted to them by the Canterbury Typographical Society last February, neither would they arbitrate, although repeabedly asked to do so. Therefore, how is ib possible that the bookbinders can be submitting proposals which are on purely printing matters ou'iy, and which were submitted by the Typographical Society six months ago? At the end of their letter, Messrs. Whitcombe and Tombs (Limited) assort that some of the men indulged in hooting the girl compositors. To this we igive an emphatic denial, and it is unnecessary to say more, except to add that assertions of this description only tend to cr/jate ill-feeling, which we have always trieri to avoid, especially when they have no foundation. Thanking you in anticipation for inser ting the above, —I am, etc., A. Andkews (For self and late employes). Christchurch, September 17.