THE CARPENTER’S DISPUTE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27092, 28 May 1949, Page 8

THE CARPENTER’S DISPUTE

Sir,—lt is interesting to read of the painting on the footpath outside the house of the organiser of the new Carpenters’ Union. The word “ scab ” is certainly a very popular one amongst our militant unionists. These are the people who are arguing against conscription because they think the armed forces would be used against them in a strike. They hate the thought that the country might not be defenceless if they seek to paralyse industry. They do not like the thought of someone fighting back. But while they talk of conscription being used in an intimidatory way they reserve to themselves the right to use that very weapon. Going round -jobs on houses seeking to frighten the workers off the job and writing the precious “ scab ” stuff outside people's nouses as well as, of course, spouting it at them is their very popular pastime. It is to be hoped the Government does not let the new Carpenters' Union down. Although most unionists may not be too keen on the idea of the new union it was brought into being by the defiance of the Arbitration Court and the Government by the deregistered union. And it is unthinkable to concede i victory to them because others are only too ready to use the same weapon. Let the Government try some plain speaking and definite action.—l am, etc., 303.