USE OF SABOTAGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19778, 27 October 1927, Page 12

USE OF SABOTAGE.

TRADE UNIONISTS' REPORT. OBJECTION TO THE WORD. "NO RIGHT TO USE TERM." The inclusion of the word sabotage in a report condemning the proposed amend merits to the Arbitration Act, which was presented to trade unionists at a meeting last evening, was responsible for heated discussion " The unionists of this coun try have not yet decided that sabotage >s the weapon they are going to ase and under the circumstances we have no right to use the term," stated one man The word occurred in a passage o! the report which stated that if the amend merits were passed into law they could see no alternative to the workers . • • falling back upon the direct action of strike, boycott, and sabotage. The chairman. Mr J Furteli, said the word might well be left out in case it conveyed the wrong meaning. A Voice: I will not stand for the word being left out " Unionism is in a pretty bad way in New Zealand and there is no harm m using the word to show we have a bit of kick left," said another man. A Voice; If we bad used sabotage we would tie in a better position to-day Keep it in and use it in the best way we can " I do not think this is worth powder arid shot," stated Mr. G. C. Stove, secretary of the district council of the Alliance of Labour. " Sabotage does not frighten me at all." A Voice: It frightens a lot in the Labour movement.

Mr Stove: The word is used in corn mcnt It is not really a part of the report. " You will frighten naif the unionists in New, Zealand if the word is allowed to stand," stated Mr W H Johnston For the sake of the women and children, and the young men who are oat of work, I trust that it will be left out " Mr T Bloodwortb said the word was merely used as a term In his opinion there were other ways of enforcing their objections He characterised strikes and sabotage as old methods. By a large majority, it was finally decided that the word should be left, in the report.