PREFERENCE TO UNIONISTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12240, 8 April 1903, Page 7

PREFERENCE TO UNIONISTS.

TO THE EDITOI!. Sir,—As lam a working-man I naturally taJco an interest in the present agitation re preference to unionists. 1 have worked in tins country for 20 years, and thus my lew words may have some weight with my fellow working-men. Before coming to this country I worked for sonic time in Cornwall, and always did well, but never was a member of any union. I have worked at Wailn (for Mr. Barry), at Waikino, Karanganake, Waitekauri and a great deal of my time at the Thames (who re X now reside), Since coming to this countrv X have sa.v?d tip enough to buy three little properties, which would bring in to my wife about £2 per week (if I were to die), although I have never been a. member of any union. Two or three of my previous employers told mc, when I left them that "at any time if I wanted a job they would make an opening' for me," I have never been out of work butone fortnight in my life (and I am now close on 60 years of age), and I havo never been a member of any union. Several of my employers have at various times given mo considerably over and above my stated wages, because I worked well. I love work, and it seems to mo it would be cruel to deprive me of my right to sell my labour to the highest bidder and to debar a man like myself from getting work by passing an Act giving " preference to unionists." I have 11 children, and what am I to do with them if such an Act is passed ? Mr. Editor, there are two great curses in this country, they are the union and the public-house. Take these away and this would be the best little country on God's earth. A -word to the work-ing-men—do not be led by the nose by the so-called "leaderS"-of the working-men," who are only feathering their own nests, and don't care a rap if they drive what little trade is remaining away. Take advice, working-men, before it is too late; avoid the unions and the pubs., and you and your wives and families will be happy, well fed and well dressed, and you, like myself, will have a little put by for a "rainy day." Instead of labour agitators living on the fat of the land, let them go to their proper place, the gumficlds.—l am, etc., / A Non-union Man.