STRIKE AT THE EGMONT BOOT FACTORY.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 8934, 17 November 1890, Page 3

STRIKE AT THE EGMONT BOOT FACTORY.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — The extraordinary statements in your Saturday's issue from the " Strikers" require correction; they charge us with absolutely and emphatically refusing to recognise the Union under any circumstances. This we most positively denj, and ask for their proofs. The evidence that we never refused to recognise the Union lies on the fact that we called all hands together, and finding one Union man absent, we would not state any business until all Union men were present. Another proof that we recognised the Union, is that we sent a telegram to the Auckland Union, stating that arbitration was offered and desired, &c. We have now received a reply from the Union Seoretary, but ho take 3no notice of our desire for arbitration. During the month of August the three representatives of the Union visited the Factory, and we then made arrangements, which we have complied with until this absurd strike ; and we hold that the " strikers " have violated the arrangement. As to our " domesticated charity," wliich stays at home, some of Baid men ought to be thankful for past favours ; one single man has been taught the trade, and has received journeyman's wages from us all through his apprenticeship, when, according to Union rules, they had no right to work with such a man. Yet this is one of those who object to a married man with a family receiving the same favour at our hands, and would throw him out on the streets, or relegate him to the Charitable Aid Board — such a bastard Unionism as this we take exception to. Re the Union man whom the Unionists say they have befriended in a pecuniary way, and who we think has more than an average Union man's common sense ; re the welcome to keep him, we shall keep him, welcome or net. The climax is reached in the fo llowing sentence :—": — " The Union is determined dc," which reminds us of the " Three Tailors" of Tooley-street. The Egmont Boot Company do not want any unfair advantage over other manufacturers, and have never tried to reduce the Btandard of wages in any form whatever; and in tbe case of Allan, by paying him lbs more than his worth, according to their own statement, seems to put the boot on the other leg, and we aie not afraid of the judgment by the general public. — We are, &c, JE. Goodacbe, P. R. Cakthew, .W. H. RrJNOIMAN, Proprietors, Egmont Boot Factory.