Tailors' Union.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6694, 6 November 1889, Page 2

Tailors' Union.

TO THE XDITOI-. Sic, — I have read " Citizen's " fetter in last evening's paper, in which he takes up* tho case, of the &it_f or sixty persons who, from conscientious motives, have not joined the Union; but I will, with your permission, enlighten him on the subject. Now, amongst these fifty or sixty persons are tbe cutters, trimmers, folders, hat and cap makers, three or four overlookers, and boys. This crowd does not belong to the Union 3 they are outside of it altogether ; and so which ever way the tide turns, they will be just the same, so " Citizen's " alarm is quite needless. I may say here that both the Manager and the Directors know such to be the case, but they try and throw as much dust as they oan before the public's eyea to gain their own ends. Take the above crowd away, and how many are left behind tbat don't belong to the Union P I. believe I am within the mark when I say that there are not half a dozen of the tailores-os. The rest are pressers, whom I am ashamed to call men. When I tell " Citizen " a few facts, Ido not think that ho will be proud of them. One or two of them havo worked there for years now, and thoy stand by and see their comrades and fellow-workmen and women getting dismissed through fighting their battles as well as their own, and-they have not so much as lifted their little finger to holp thorn, but told them they were fools for doing ifc. Is " Citizen " proud of such persons as these P Others of them have said, "Oh, yes, I believe in tbe Union, but tho Manager don't ; but I will join if they gain the day ; they cannot keep me out, thoy can only raise the entrance fees, bnt Oon'h mind that." That is another specimon for Bir "Citizen." Ia he proud of that sortP Some of them have joined the Union, and attended the meetings, but now, whon tho tug of war is on, and they are asked if they will come out with the rest on Btrike they say, "Yes, we will como out with the rest, but we will go back again tho next morning." These are the persons whom "Citizen" is so anxious about, and would take under his wings. Men who have not the principles of a man abou_k them. If " Citizen " is proud of thoinJ do not think the,Un_on is, and the sooner the City Council sencf their dust cart and take them down to tho sandhills, the better it will be for Christchurch and New Zealand.— l am, &c, No. 6. Nov. 5.