UNIONIST TYRANNY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21362, 16 June 1931, Page 11

UNIONIST TYRANNY

TO THE EDITOR. Sib, —In this time of stress, when unemployment is so rife, and the Government ia hard put to it to find money for the various unemployed schemes, one would think it would be the last thing that men who are working themselves should place an obstacle in the way of other men getting work. But let me place the facts before the public. This is the busy time for the coal trade. The Kaitangata Coal Company is in a position to employ between, 20 and 30 men. Certain officials of the union have been asked to ballot these men into places, and have refused to do it, thereby keeping these men out of work. There is nothing in the agreement to prevent these men from_ being employed. The men who are holding up the ballot have not the authority of the union to justify their action. This is an example of how men clothed _in a little brief authority would use their power to satisfy their own selfish ends. They would deny their „ fellow-men the chance to earn their living, and do it in the name of unionism. Is this what unionism stands for?—l am, etc., J. C. Allan. Kaitangata, June 15.