LABOUR AUTOCRATS IN LONDON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9455, 10 March 1894, Page 2 (Supplement)

LABOUR AUTOCRATS IN LONDON.

The London correspondent of the Sheffield Daily Telegraph writes]:—•" I have the besb means of knowing bhabbhe mosb trusted and respected loaders of the Labour movement are becoming disgusted with the autocratic demands of the working-men. This is particularly the case in the London district. Honest John Burns was heard to remark the other day, " Why, they'll want next, a shill ing an hour and no work between meals." Mr. Burns, whose ideal is what he calls the splendid workman spirit of the Middle Ages, when the Labour Guilds flourished and glorious work was done, apprehends a great disturbance of labour in London shortly. He is even now setting up his back against the exactions of the men employed by the London Council. It has been found necessary, as a means of discipline, to discharge every man employed by the Council, on a. first proof of drunkenness. When the culprit ' receives his marching orders he asks with an injured air by whose order ib is done, expecting to hear bhab some Tory oppressor has senb him adrifb. When he is bold ib is by order of John Bums he is properly crestfallen." '