PREFERENCE TO UNIONISTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19808, 1 December 1927, Page 14

PREFERENCE TO UNIONISTS.

Sir, —That preference to unionists gives a fictitious strength to unions is beyond doubt. That the power this strength gives is often abused; and directed unwisely by the leaders in the unions is equally beyond question. If anyone doubts this, let them note what has happened in New South Wales during Mr. Lang's regime (who took his instructions from these leaders). See the great number of concerns which .were employing thousands of workers, which have been obliged to cease business because the everlasting burdens imposed on them have rendered their continuance impossible. See also the present action of the Australian Waterside Workers' Federation, and the Seamen's Union. At Broken Hill a number of the mines there have been forced to close, others have reduced* dividends to a vanishing point, and have informed shareholders that the recently imposed additional costs of labour preclude them from earning a profit at the present price of metals, but in spite of this their unions have made fresh demands for higher wages and less hours, claiming £7 a week for 30 hours' work! Wednesday morning's news gives another Sydney firm going into voluntary liquidation which employed 2000 workers. Lysaght's galvanised ironworks at Newcastle close next month. But it appears we are not only to be harassed by the preference to unionists while living, but it is to follow us to the grave! By a recent award of the Arbitration Court at Sydney the Undertakers' Union of New South Wales has secured preference to unionists in the handling of coffins at fune/als, and in future the friends or relatives of deceased persons will not" be permitted to handle coffins at funerals, nor will drivers of hired vehicles be permitted to do so. All such work must be carried out by members of the Undertakers' Assistants' Union! And we are still to treat preference fo unionists as something too sacred to even challenge instead of denouncing it as the tyranny it is. 231, Parnell Road. J. Thoekes.