EMPLOYERS' DEFENCE FUND.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 13299, 7 February 1914, Page 6

EMPLOYERS' DEFENCE FUND.

(Special to Herald.) AUCKLAND, this day. A proposal to establish a defence fund ogainst aggressive action on the part of labor organisations was set forth m a letter Which the City Council received from the Auckland Provincial Employers' Association. A reference was made to the recent industrial upheaval, and the letter then proceeded: "Acting on the assumption that no reasonable employer would hesitate to submit for the consideration of his fellow-mem-bers or the executive the ground of impending trouble between himself and his staff, it is proposed to sot apart annually a specific proportion of income towards the formation of a defence fund with which to answer any claims or expenses incurred. by a member m opposing (with the concurrence of his fellowmembers) an unwarranted attack." Contributions m ratio to wages bills were suggested. "The average annual earnings of workmen throughout the Dominion," the letter proceeded, "is officially stated to be £92 10s; and the average Contribution to union funds and special levies are placed at something under Is per week, or, say, 46s 3d per annum Oil this basis the average trade unionist contributes 2£ per cent, of his gross income towards the maintenance of his organisation and similar objects. What would a, contribution by employers at the same rate on their net income yield?" The Association was stated to be open to all interested m every trade, industry, or profession. The communication was Teceived. !