THE WATERSIDERS.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 11960, 11 December 1919, Page 4

THE WATERSIDERS.

Per Press Association

Napier, Dec 10

The conference oc waterside workers at present sitting in Napier has passed the following resolution That this conference expresses its sympathy with the wage workers who suffered from enormously increased cost of living during the period of war, and since, but, while doing so, we realise that as long as commodities are owned and controlled by the exploiters, there, is no real remedy, and until the necessaries of life are produced for use instead of for profit the present system of economic extortion and profiteering must go on. Commercial rings and trusts, who.own and control the food and clothing supply of :he world are enabled by their efficient organisation and economic power to levy a commodity “price tax” on the public without consideration for social or national welfare. The conference therefore recommends to all workers that they demand a price for their only commodity-labour power—in keeping with the high prices now demanded for the necessaries of life, this being the only method which the wage workers can employ to maintain their standard of living. In reference to a statement emanating from Dunedin to the effect that the waterside workers had decided not to work between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day, Blr Glover, president of the conference at present sitting in Napier, states: We have decided to work up to midday on the day before Christmas, and to turn to again at 8 a. m. the following Blonday. This will give us Christmas acid Boxing Days. We do not think it is worttf while working for a half day on Saturday." *We will scop work again at midday on December 31st, and start again on Friday mariiing.. I am quite sure we are entitled to those holidays, as we have worked continuously during the. whole year and have not bad the fortnight or more holiday time that some of the trades get. We see that the matter of shipping is important, and cannot be held up. [Managers and other shipping people have had their holidays, extending over some weeks, and our men think they are entitled to some consideration.