ONE BIG UNION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3488, 18 January 1921, Page 25

ONE BIG UNION.

Air A. J. Aliddlemiss, organiser of the New Zealand Workers ’Union, who visited the Palmerston district last week, gave an address to a, meeting of workers at the Green vale Station. The speaker was introduced by the shearers’ representative, Air J. Kerse, of Fail-light Station. In his address Air Aliddlemiss advised the men to watch the workers’ organisation very carefully during this year, which would be the most difficult yet experienced by the union. The organiser then made a strong appeal for unity and forbearance on the part of the workers generally, and strongly advocated the establishment of the one big industrial union in New Zealand, which would comprise all trades and callings. In support of his contention he quoted the fact that the employers and captains of industry in New Zealand were united into one organisation for their mutual benefit, and he stated that, if it was a good and wise thing for the employers to band into one big union, then the same position applied to the workers, who also should amalgamate into ono big industrial union of workers. The speaker then dealt with the Masters and Apprentices’ Amendment Bill, No. 2, which, was passed during the last, session of Parliament, and which, 110 said, was now a blot on the Statute Book of New Zealand. In his condemnation of the Bill Air Aliddlemiss contended that it was a very strange kind of liberty and justice to g-ive in return for the sacrifices made by the soldiers on the fields of battle during the great war, and stated that if ever there was a. time when the workers should combine into one solid organisation it was the present, in order to regain that liberty and justice which he said, was being taken from them by degrees. In conclusion, Mr Aliddlemiss made an appeal on behalf of members in distress, and after answering a few questions was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his address. A motion of confidence in Air Aliddlemiss as the South Island representative on the National Executive of tho New Zealand Workers’ Union was also passed.