"STRIKE ALL THE TIME"

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15349, 9 July 1913, Page 10

"STRIKE ALL THE TIME"

UNITY LABOUR CONGRESS —__ WHY THE RAILWAYMEN LEFT MODERATE SECTION OUT VOTED. ." . ■ -vM'f [BY TELKGTHPH— CORRESPONDESI.-j Wellington-, Tuesday. ' The president of the Amalgamated Society - of Railway Servants {Mr. W. T. Wilao a , '■ has explained the reasons why the execu ' tive of the society (which represents 8000 ' ' railwaymen) determined to have nothing more to do with the Unity Labour : Con- :: ' ference. .- ■/

"We were in favour of moderate no extreme methods," said Mr. Wilson, "and it was with a view to effecting a reconciliation between the moderate section on the one hand and the extreme section on the other that I and the Executive Coon, cil of the society attended the conference We found from the outset that the mere consideration of arbitration tactics would not be entertained. We found ako from the outset that it was strike first, strike second, and strike all the time* and while we were prepared to compromise, the throwing oat of > the amendment brought forward bV Mr Hampton and Mr. McLaren providing that before a strike took place the people who were going to suffer by the process should be consulted, satisfied us that there was no hope of compromise on reasonable lineal In view of recent occurrences we consider that we were not justified in subscribing to so risky a system as was adopted by the conference in relation to striking. Wo' have a vivid 'recollection .as raiiwaymeu |of the troubles brought upon us in the I maritime strike of 18s0, in which a num- ' ber of railwaymen were involved. As, a matter of fact it is not long since our j society paid the last of the sum of £1500 tp secure for those strikers the recognition of their full service for superannuation, their service before the strike (many years in length in some instances) havi™. been lost to them. The conference very early rejected a motion that funds should be available from the organisation for political purposes. What did this indicate to us ? Simply that sole reliance was l to be placed on the strike. Men can strike for whatever purpose they like, but they must not run counter to the law of the land. : -*--$M " While we regret having to withdraw," 1 continued Mr. Wi150n,..." we are thoroughly acquainted with * the fact that a number of other delegates have left for the same reason, and that a good many who remain are determined to go back and recommend their unions not to accept the constitution that has been carried. Rea'lc ing that a moderate programme is not likely to be presented, and knowing the feeling of our members, we do not feel justified in remaining with the conference, wastir.g our time and the \ society's funds for no good purpose. • ■.-..>. ."v.." - "According to our judgment it. is Federation of Labour tactics all through. i;W| would, as workers engaged in a great State undertaking, like the public to know that as railwaymen we recognise our responsibility to the State, that" is, to the community. We know that we are engaged in an industry upon which the commerce of the country and the ; food supply of the people depends. Therefore, we are not willing to be party to the. chance';of i'iig sudden disorganisation at the beck call of a :central executive." •■"•■• ■ £--■ -■'?n4l