CORRESPONDENCE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5504, 3 March 1896, Page 1

CORRESPONDENCE.

THE BOOT TRADE DISPUTE. The following letters appeared in this morning's Lyttelton Times .- — , TO THE EDITOR. , Sib, — It is a good thing that Mr W. Williams, the- secretary of the Bootmakers' Union, has come to your columns ; with an instalment of information that so [ many of us require in order to follow the '. present struggle. If right is denied the ' men it means placing a real skeleton in the cupboard of those engaged in the boot trade. It is a common saying that there is a skeleton in every person's cupboard. Well, the boot-trade workers will have two — the proverbial one, and a real one, created by the manufacturers. From the letter of Mr Williatiisl gather (1) thafit is designed to obtain a large supply of boy labour, and displace the present adult labour ; (2) that the minimum weeklywage is to be just the sum that the employer can, from time to time, force on the workman ; (3) that the . men will not strike against the introduction of machinery; (-) that the large factory-owners have asked the union to assist in crushing the small factories } (5) that the manufacturers do possess and exercise the right to dismiss men. There is another provision that is an important one. Boot operatives, -unlike textile workers, are not protected by law. I refer to the clause in the men's statement that provides for all work being performed in the factory. In very exceptional cases representatives of the employers and employes may give permission to work at home. I would like to ask Mr Williams if this is on the employers' new statement, and if it is needed that a large number of boys should be put to the trade so as to provide a sufficient supply of men in the near future. Did the manufacturers fight with the boot trade unions against freedom of contract in the Auckland strike in 1892 ? Allow me, in conclusion, to express my pleasure at the clear statement made by Mr T. E. Taylor against the proposed iriroad that the manufacturers wish to make into. the liberties of people who (I am informed) do not, as a body, receive forty shillings per week of forty-eight hours. — I am, &_., S.E.C. TO THE EDITOR. Sib, — " Coming events cast their shadows before." Let us hope the shadow of appearances in the boot trade will diverge from neutral indifference on the part of the employers and settle in the warm shade of benevolent sunshine towards their workmen. In days that are past, when capital had - almost everything its own way, the labourer had no. option but to strike when he wanted his grievances remedied. Owing to the justifiable law of conciliation and arbitration the old blunder of strikes can be averted. We all know trades unionism is a federation of labour, and true as strange, were all labour federated, sweating — unduly long hours — and miserable or no wages to some would be impossible. All workmen should see that were they members of trades unions their wages would be better and their chances of employment would be immeasurably increased. It appears, from, what I can see, this misunderstanding is not so much a wage question as that federated labour considers the masters are aiming at its entire extinction. Whether or not, the point f orwhich the workmen seem to be agitating is to contend against . the fiat that unionists must work wish what shopmates call "knobsticks" (those who work for less than standard wages on the same class of work), or combat the right of employers to keep . the wages at the lowest possible figure, irrespective of the largeness of the profits that may be secured. It is not easy to judge of theprospects of the respective parties by those who are out of the trade, and, perhaps, ought not to interfere, but as opinions give effect to conclusions I give mine for what they are worth. There is evidently a question to be considered whether affiliated trades unionism shall work amicably with the employers, or whether the latter will persist in their attempts to crush the unions; attempts that, at best, can only be successful for a limited period. " Free contract "is becoming a standard cry of the capitalists, but they must remember that a not inconsiderable proportion of the free men will seek admission into the ranks of the unions. They will not always consent to be at the mercy of any unreasonable employer. The average workman, whether he is English, Australian, or New Zealand, has a thorough detestation of anything that savours of tyranny, and this is a point of which some employers, unfortunately, try to make as much as possible. It is a mistaken policy, and only adds items to the reckoning that will come sooner or later. It is a mistake to-think th_t the rights of gold are greater than the claims of humanity. Some employers are apt to think so. I will. not trespass upon your space further than to say it is to be sincerely hoped that the present impending chfficulty may be adjusted to the satisfaction of both the employers and employed. — I am, &c, *H. C.