MR JOHN HUTCHESON AND THE LABOUR UNIONS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1424, 15 June 1899, Page 46

MR JOHN HUTCHESON AND THE LABOUR UNIONS.

On this subject “ Fair Play ” writes : After Mr Hutcheson’s so-called political speech in the Exchange Hall, during which he alluded to suckers and crawlers in the Government employ, the New Zealand Workers’ Union passed a vote of noconfidence in him as its representative, the outcome being that a howl of displeasure and a tirade of abuse from the Conservative press in Wellington and other places has been heaped on the above union. Letters have been written to show that the Workers’ Union nas noc another union to back it up in its noconfidence motion, and mentioning four unions that have every confidence in Mr Hutcheson, viz : —Painters’, Bootmakers’, Carpenters’ and Seamen’s Unions. I will showh ow the four unions passed the vote of confidence. First, the Painters’ Union is one of the smallest unions in Wellington, and much disorganised. At the meeting of bootmakers where the vote of confidence was given, only fifteen members were present. The Carpenters’ Union numbers 150 members in its Wellington branch, and its president is Mr Hutcheson’s henchman. A very small meeting passed the vote of confidence by a narrow majority. The Seamen’s Union, Wellington branch (better known as Jones’s Union), only numbers ninety members, and is not connected in any way with the Federated Seamen’s Union. Now, the whole strength of the above four unions together does not amount to over 200 members who have a vote for the city of Wellington, and I have not the slightest doubt that one-half of the number is not in favour of Mr J. Hutcheson as their representative. But, as so much has been made of the Workers’ Union being constituted of “ suckers and crawlers,” letme tell Mr John Hutcheson’s admirers that he will find next election, if he dares to face the music, he ivill want a few of the so-called “ suckers and crawlers.” I would suggest to a few of Mr H.’s friends a good combination to run for the city of Wellington, the three gallant gentlemen, viz.—-William Earnshaw, John Hutcheson and Fred Pirani. The above three gentlemen were placed in Parliament, by the electors of their respective districts to support the Liberal party, but where are they to-day, and where will they be after next November? Not drawing £240 a year from the Treasury.

Mr W. T. Young writes: —lt has been reported through the columns of the local journals that the Federated Seamen’s Union of New Zealand has carried a resolution of confidence in Mr J. Hutcheson. As a matter of fact, I might say that whatever the organisation’s opinion may be respecting the mentioned gentleman’s short and ineffective political career, it has not up to the time of writing carried a resolution of confidence in him, and from what I can learn it has no intention of doing so, more especially so after hearing his opinion on the preference of employment clause before the Conciliation Board. However, I am given to understand that a small section of seamen, who are not recognised outside of the narrow limits of Wellington, and who style themselves the Wellington Branch of the Federated Seamen’s Union of New Zealand, have carried a resolution of confidence in him; not that his term of office has been beneficial to them, but from the fact of him being the vicepresident of that small section. Person-

ally, I was one of his strong supporters at the late general election, but his actions in Parliament since then nave changed my views concerning the gentleman’s political principles, and I am quite prepared to leave him in the hands of the electors, who will, I apprehend, give him a rejection at the polls that he so well deserves. While I am on the political question, I might inform the Workers’ Union’s critics that I am a financial private member of that organisation, and have nothing to be ashamed of in any shape or form; neither am I a Government employee, tout, crawler, sucker, or seeker of a Government billet; and if I cannot make a living in the land of my birth without resorting to tactics referred to by the critics of the Workers’ Union, then the shipping office is open, and I will soon square the main yard. Can anyone deny the fact of the present Administration having passed more labour legislation than any other in the history of the colony ? is it not a fact that other countries are sending their representatives to investigate and copy labour measures in New Zealand? I maintain that all things speak for themselves, and I intend to throw in my lot with those who have done so much in the past for my class, the workers of New Zealand.