ON THE QUI VIVE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8129, 24 May 1912, Page 5

ON THE QUI VIVE

POSSIBILITY OF GENERAL STRIKE FEDERATION'S FIGHTING FUND NOT STRONG. SPECIAL TO THU "TIMES.” AUCKLAND, May 23. A number of union officials admit that thev are on. the qui vive in view of the possibility of a general strike being declared by the federation conference. Auckland Labour leaders, whose unions are affiliated with the federation, consider that the executive will decide either that the affiliated unions shall make strike levies and support the Waihi men financially, or. with a view - to forcing a decisive and early settlement, that there shall be a general cessation of work by all affiliated unions. Trouble has been brewing for some time past, and it is well known that at the tune of the recent dispute between the General Labourers’ Union and the local bodies the bubble came very near to bursting on several occasions. The local union officials and the officials ot affiliated unions were keen then to nght, hut the president of the federation (Mr 3?. C. Webb) refused to enter the lists. The Tramways’ Union at the time served upon the Tramways Company fourteen days’ notice of its intention to cease work and the belief is entertained in certain circles that that notice, never having been withdrawn, still holds good, hut inquiry at the Tramway Company s office has elicited the information that the notification had never been renewed and that in view of the date it bears its value as au indication of intention to quit work ceased when the fourteen days expired. Should a general strike be decided upon 2500 men in this province would immediately cease work and the federation officials claim that such action on their part would mean the stoppage of practically every wheel of industry in Auckland. The fact that the federation can stop the trams is one of the strongest trump cards in the possession of this organisation. WILL FARMERS TAKE A HAND? In the event of a strike it would be interesting to watch what part the farmers of the province would play in the trouble, for at the time of the recent trouble with’ the General Labourers Union the position was discussed by different branches of the Farmers’ Union, and it was freely stated that if the farmers’ interests were likely to suffer, particularly in the matter of shipments of produce, fertilisers and so forth, the farmers would have no hesitation in coming to Auckland and taking a hand in the business. GENERAL STRIKE RUINATION. The suggestion of a general strike is approved by those who fear that a protracted strike is likely at Waihi. They believe that a trial of strength between the employers and the workers is inevitable, and that the _ time is now opportune for getting into grips. On the other hand there are members of the federation who believe that a general strike would at the present time spell ruination to their cause. It is an open secret that the federation is not well prepared financially for a struggle, and that their fighting funds would not be sufficient to see _ them through anything hut a short period ot strife. It is also well known that several of the unions affiliated with the federation are not over pleased with the militant attitude which is taken up upon the occasion of every dispute. Last week the Auckland tramway men met to consider whether it was wise that they should should remain within the ranks of the federation, and the question was practically held over for further consideration in order that their union delegates might go to Wellingtn, and at today’s conference advocate greats moderation in connection with the policy of the federation. It is held by many that the conference is more likely 'to resolve in favour of a strike levy from every affiliated union for the support of the, -Waihi men now on strike. ' TOWN AGAIN QUIET. SALE OF REVOLVERS NOT LARGE. NO APPEAL TO THE PUBLIC. SPECIAL TO THE "TIMES." ' WAIHI. May 23. Proceedings in connection with the strike are passing through a peaceful cycle at the present time. The town was again very quiet last evening. Another roll call took place, and large numbers of men filed past the union office to have their names checked., Following this came a dance. To-day’s proceedings .included billiards and an Association football match. A progressive euchre tournament will eventuate this evening.

A mass meeting will he held to-mor-row morning at 10 o’clock, followed by a sports programme on .the recreation reserve.

The Grand Junction Company’s wages men were finally paid to-day, and the contractors’ pay comes off to-morrow. The union is now in ' a position of marking time, awaiting news from the Federation conference. There has been a falling off in the number of passengers leaving the town, and this morning there were comparatively few travelling. A report was current that the ironmongers hod sold out of revolvers, but on inquiries being made it was found that only a few had been disposed of. The indiscriminate sole of these weapons had, however, been stopped

The secretary of the Enginedrivers and Winders’ Union stated that no remittances had yet been received by him! His union had made no appeal for funds to the .public, though such would be undoubtedly appreciated. It seemed somewhat extraordinary, that. if the money collected in Auckland had been meant for his union, it had not been sent direct. One member of the new union has joined the Miners' Union. One local dealer has just landed 100 toms of coal. A MANIFESTO BY THE STRIKE COMMITTEE. OTHER SIDE "PUERILE AND IRRELEVANT.’’ PEES 3 ASSOCIATION. WAIHI, May 23. The strike* committee has issued a manifesto iu‘ reply to the manifesto of the enginedrivere. Summarised, it states:— ' ”U) In the two previous attempts to form a union the enginedrivers publicly announced the foot, but on this occasion anonymous letters were sent to several enginedrivere, asking them to attend and. bring a friend with them. The Miners’ Union objected to the new union because, if registered, it would bring under the Arbitration award more enginedrivers and firemen who are members of the Miners’ Union than* are comprised in the new organisation. "(2) Ballots for cancellation of the Miners’ Union registration wei-e conducted on lines best calculated to conform to the Arbitration Act. The result was an overwhelming majority in favour of cancellation, after every member in the mines and at the batteries had been given an opportunity to record his vote. "(3) The matter- of cancellation was first brought before the Miners’ Union committee by an - enginedrxver. A com-

munication was forwarded to the federation’s solicitor, urging him to watch developments in the House owing to rumours that attempts were being made to reduce the status of engmedrivers’ certificates. So far no attempt has been made to bring this matter before the House. "(4) It is true that three years ago some drivers obtained a small increase in wages, bringing them up to 10s 6d per shift, an increase of 6d over the award. Since last July, however, all winding engines, with the exception of small winches, had been considered uniform, ensuring 11s a shift. This further increase was obtained by the Miners Union; the Arbitration award did not “(5) A noteworthy fact was that leading spirits in the new union could not pass the eyesight test. All the enginedrivers examined by the Mines Commission favoured a medical examination of drivers. Thirty lives are in the hands of the drivers at one time, and it is essential that proper precautions should be adopted. The talk of the drivers conforming to the law does not conceal the fact that they would ‘scab’ on thei.r fel-low-workers out on strike. _ Prominent members of the Drivers’ Union informed an official of the Miners’ Union that the company was behind us, and, if necessary, to keep the pumps going, we will do so,’ also that ‘in the event of the trouble the company would stick to the drivers and grant them preference.’ ( "(7) A resolution by the Miners Union that its members _ would not be lowered by the drivers in the dispute was forwarded to the drivers’ secretary, but not acknowledged; A deputation was then sent to talk matters over, but was refused admittance. The drivers complain of coercion, yet form a union obviously at the companies’ dictates, in order to revive Mr Justice Sim’s coercive remark, ‘Sell your labour at a certain price; refuse, and you are lawbreakers. If the drivers are successful they -will force a majority of the drivers and firemen, who' bitterly oppose arbitration, under their award. “(9-10) These clauses need no reply. The puerile and irrelevant statement contained in them will be token by all unionists as a fitting conclusion to such a master class engineered scheme of unionism. The organising .secretary of the Federated Engine-drivers' Association of New Zealand visited Waihi a few weeks ago with the intention of organising the local, drivers. Upon becoming acquainted with the tactics that had been adopted by the union section he immediately decided to have nothing to do with them, and left Waihi the same day as he arrived. A circular dated March 6th, 1912,. and issued by the New Zealand Federation of Engine-drivers, contains several. statements that should have been sufficient to convince any drivers that the Arbitration Court has not the confidence of the Engine-drivers’ Association. "Dealing with the question of the wages and hours we wish to point out to the engine-drivers and firemen that we have had a rotten principle introduced into our industry by the president of the Arbitration Court. It often happens that, owing to this pernicious principle a man has to work for a rate of pay below that of a labourer, although he is following a recognised skilled occupation. Almost every industry is dependent on yonr work, and yet you are not considered worthy a decent wage. We ask you then as on© who has the interest of those following the trade at heart, to fall into line with the other working class bodies trying to improve the position of labour, and assist us to attain better conditions than we now enjoy. "In the, face of this circular the local Engine-drivers’ Union want to go under the jurisdiction of Judge Sim, and submit to the pernicious principle of working for inferior wages and inferior conditions. The Drivers’, Association realise the injustioe of arbitration. They recognise that the working class must bo united in order to better the conditions dealt out to them by Judge Sim and the Arbitration Court."