TRADE UNIONISM

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8612, 24 December 1913, Page 6

TRADE UNIONISM

LOOKING AFTER ITS INTERESTS. STATEMENT BY TRADES AND LABOUR COUNCIL. Tho executive of tho Wellington Trades and Labour Council has issued tho following statement in connection with the late strike;— “Tho Trades and Labour Council kept fully in touch with tho labour crisis right from the beginning. Tho executive mot daily and watched the trend of events on behalf of the affiliated unions. On Saturday, November Ist, Messrs Kennedy, Cornwell, and L. Reardon met representatives from tho waterside workers and were acquainted with the full facts of tho position. A special meeting of the council was hold the same evening, when it was resolved by delegates assembled that the council oppose the extension of tho strike, and that tho affiliated bodies bo notified immediately. On tho next morning, November 2nd, tho council was represented at tlio meeting which brought about the second conference between tho employers and tho United Federation of Labour. When the conference failed, the executive of the council immediately approached the ’ Prime Minister in an endeavour to arrange a further conference, and also approached the Mayor to use his prerogative on behalf of tho citizens to further this proposal. Tho Mayor did not see his way to accede to this, and. as tho Prime Minister could only promise twenty-four hours’ respite to arrange another conference, the executive worked strenuously during this, brief interval to secure a settlement. Interviews wore held with the Prime Minister and Federation of Labour, and every possible means was taken to again bring the parties together; however, without avail. At tho end of tho twentyfour hours, namely, on "Wednesday, November stb, tho first start was made to load the boats, by shipping racehorses to tho south. The Trades and Labour Council has used every endeavour to bring abont a settlement, and has set its faeo determinedly against a general strike, feeling the same to be inimical to the best interests of trade unionism. Tho officers have had an anxious time, but have been keenly alive to tho situation right throughout, and consider that their unfailing caro has been in the best interests of the affiliated unions.