A NEW ZEALAND LABOUR VIEW.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7702, 11 May 1903, Page 3

A NEW ZEALAND LABOUR VIEW.

[From Otra Correspondent.] DUNEDIN, May 11. Mr Millar, M.H.'R., who was secretary to the maritime labour strike, of 1890, on 'being interviewed; this morning respecting the Situation in Victoria, said the whole difficulty could have been overcome if the Victorian Government had granted the railway servants the right to affiliate with the Trade® and Labour Council, with the restriction that railway servants could not be called out on strike by that body, or ,a_y body affiliated therewith. The advantage to the railway men of union with the Trades Hall would be that, in the event of their being unable to obtain Parliamentary redress of grievances, they, would have the moriU and finanoial assistance of the Trades and Labour Council in the event of a strike, 'and it would also be the railway servants' right to afford financial assistance to other bodies on stri_e. It was in defence of the same right that the maritime strike of 1890 took plaoe. I think it is right that State employes? should belong to any industrial organisation! they choose, but they should not take an active part in politics beyond exercising their influence on questions affecting themselves.. As an outcome of the struggle, I cannot see how the Government can replace the men on strike. Thie railway servants are practically affiliated throughout the whole of the Australasian States, and the pensioners Yixow being requisitioned may not be physically able to perform one man's work,, and any hands tine wdll be able to get beyond these will, bo those who have been dismiss* ed >in Victoria' from their places for dpunk-.j enness or other offences. I think the State i

servant should have the same right as any other citizen to do anything he likes outside his' contract) with the Government. There is no legal restriction under the Viotorian Railway Act to prevent railway servants affiliating with industrial organisations. That is proved by the fact that the point has never once been raised during the last fifteen years.