WORKERS AND STRIKES.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 12584, 14 October 1911, Page 2

WORKERS AND STRIKES.

(Special ;tp Herald.)

AUCKLAND, this day. Professor. Mills, who is engaged touring New Zealand . m the interests of a comprehensiA'e scheme of. unity proposals involving rational and peaceful treatment of labor problems, was seen by a Star reporter m regard to the rumor that labor m New, Zealand is organising for a general strike. He stated that while he had not heard the .matter mentioned by any man associated Avith labor, it did not mean that a general strike was not a possibility. So far a's he was concerned he was doing everything he possibly could to avoid anything of the ' sort, • but if -a general strike Avas to be avoided at some time m the near future, iri his judgment- the Arbitration Court would liave; to be reconstructed, the arbitration law amehddd, and political rights guaranteed to all working people, including the right to vote, to participate m public discussion, to be- candidates 1 for; any office; and to hold office Avithout regard to sex or occupation, ■' and Avhether the employee of any part of the people, as m the case of a private company, or of all the people •as m the case of the civil service. . . ; ; The Professor further stated that the campaign- m which he had .been engaged for some weeks; and Avhich Avas being given: splendid support on the part of the! trades unions throughout the country, ; was an effort, among other things, to Create such an organisation q§ would be, able, by the use of its political power, \to secure the ends enumerated. If the movement Avas sufficiently supported they . would certainly be able to produce such : results. If it was not then they 'would have , to taike their chances with less rational privileges, with Avhat he feared most serious consequences not only to the peace of society, but to all rational forms of labor organisation, , and activity, GHRISTCHUROH, this day.

Mr iS. Kepnedy, ' president of the NeAv Zealand Engine Drivers, Foremen, and Cleaners' Association> m an inter vieAv with a representative of the Press regarding the statement made by a local railwaymen' to. the effect that the rumor of an impending strike on the New Zealand railways , AA'as . to .be traced . probably to the Locomotive Society, stated that the rumor m no way emanated from the society of which he' is president, nor did it emanate from the noadqua'iv ters of the Association m Christchurch, or from the branch of the Association m Dunedin. His Association would have no ohject m circulating .such a report. Asked if he.kneAV anytbing about the origin of tbe rumor, Mr Kennedy said tliat he did not tbink there was the slightest possibility of any section of the raihvaymen going on strike. The Superannuation Act Avould prevent them entertaining such a proposal seriously, as they would lose all, benefits under the Act if they went ori strike, 1 arid would therefore be, very great losers. Ho did not know Where the rumor came from, and he .was quite sure that no railwaymen for one. moment, seriously contemplated, striking.

I fPer' Press Agsop'ntion.) OHIUSTCTIUROH, last night. At a very largely attended meetjng of the Adfajngtdn bran eh of tM A'.S-'Jv.S. to-p*ay a stroiigly AVorded motion was carried • expressing 'indignation at the possibility of tfre -'petition of the second diyjsion 'of, .the railway service being poetporie<jf .rie^rt session. Some gpe'al? ers hinted tliat 'unless redress of grievances Avas forthcoming soon more drastic steps than .those taken m the past would have to Tbe reported to, •■••-.■ r .