DRIVERS' INDIGNATION MEETING

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13440, 11 June 1912, Page 5

DRIVERS' INDIGNATION MEETING

RABID FEDERATION SPEECH

ROBBERY OF THE WORKERS

(Special to "The Colonist.")

Christclmroh, June 10

Speaking at an indignation meeting of tho local Drivers' Union last night, Mr E. Howard, representing the Federation of Labour, said tlhe troubles of tho Drivers' Federation were the troubles of the Federation of Labour. "If yon" decide to drop tools, we can drop tools,. | and come out with you." The Foderai tion of Labour was not looking for ! trouble or strikes, as the working classes were the greatest sufferers by these things. The workers, however, were not slaves, and would not tamely submit to oppression. Tho Federation did not care a "hang" about the politics of the Drivers' Federation, but it would, combine with it on the industrial field. (Applause.) Ho was also there on behalf of the miners to assuro the drivers of th-eir support. Personally he did not think that Mr Justice Sim was going to give them what they wanted. He hoped that Mr Justice Sim would administer them a bigger kick than when he offered them 8d an hour. The workers , should demand the same standard of comfort that Mr Justice Sim demanded, and that was about £1 an hour. "Are you not as good as ho? If you don't think so it is about time you went out and drowned yourselves." (Laughter and applause.) Mr Howard went on to warn tho Federation about "scab" unions, which lie said would be formed if the workers dropped the Arbitration Act. Hi is had been dono in Waihi, where tihs master classes had brought i» some "scabs" from their own families. If tho Waihi men went down the drivers would also be beaten. The maater class wanted a general strike in' New Zealand this winter, and had administered a series of pin pricks to the men. The Federation of Labour was composed of sane and sensible men, and it would not strike at the bidding of tho employers. It would wait'its own time. A strike "in th<>. uinto:- would not suit them. The worko:1!? v .'••<?. going to have what they pro^cf-'1 :-:i:_i tho non-pro-ducer would ha\ ;L ~c die. TIIO Feder::lioia did not r-v? ■.bout a main's polit.'cs or religion. Cva could vote for Mar-, y, cr Ward,_ or Mr.clu'nzie—he wos.i-J bo chorvtcd just tho bhhio. Ono cov.ld worship o:x> god, ten gods, or no gods—tbo F<x!err,tio-: r'ir.l not care. The workers were Iro' . . because they were being irtvauiii.v r-bbed. The Drivers' Fedcratiw-:) ■ ./u! l.mint on the Federation of Lsboiir. I'jipplauEO.)'